McCain vs. Obama: More on the debate

Posted: Monday, September 29, 2008 9:27 AM by Domenico Montanaro

"Obama [on Saturday] called Republican rival John McCain out of touch with middle-class Americans, telling supporters that the GOP senator never once uttered the words 'middle class' during their first debate," the AP writes. “‘Through 90 minutes of debate, John McCain had a lot to say about me, but he didn't have anything to say about you,' Obama told a cheering crowd at the J. Douglas Galyon Depot in downtown Greensboro. 'He didn't even say the words 'middle class.' He didn't even say the words 'working people.'"

"A pair of one-night polls gave Barack Obama a clear edge over John McCain in their first presidential debate."

But both candidates were a little fast and loose with the facts. The Boston Globe has a (lengthy) fact check on both.

The Boston Globe's Canellos scores the debate for Obama. "McCain … tried hard to make the first presidential debate a test of Barack Obama's fitness for office. McCain succeeded in his framing of the test - but Obama passed it… But with the majority of the debate focused on foreign policy - where McCain's superiority was assumed, and Obama's vulnerability was greatest - the lack of a clear winner benefits Obama more than McCain."

The Des Moines Register’s Yepsen says McCain won the debate. "It was one of the most substantive debates in recent presidential campaign history and John McCain won it. The Arizona senator was cool, informed and forceful in Friday's first presidential debate of the general election campaign. He repeatedly put Barack Obama on the defensive throughout the 90 minutes session. Obama did little to ease voter concerns that he's experienced enough to handle foreign and defense policy. That was his number one task Friday night and he failed."

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Comments

>> the lack of a clear winner benefits Obama more than McCain. <<

So, if nobody wins, Obama wins? Didn't get too far into that logic class back in college did you know?

Proven It (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:34 AM)

Yepsen must be in the tank for McCain. What debate was he watching

True American (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:37 AM)

What debate were they watching? When was John McCain cool? Are they for real? Was this article pre-written?

I was undecided, but after that debate (and what I've heard about Sarah Palin these past few weeks), I'm voting for Obama. McCain did not look Presidental AT ALL & he did not focus on my house - Middle Class, either.

Mrs. Jones, Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:38 AM)

Apparently the Des Moines Register must have slept through most of the Debate.

Obama held his own. He was very good on the economy and strong on foreign policy.

I love his comment to McCain about thinking the war in Iraq started in 2007.

Overall, it was a draw, but it was McCain who had to show Obama was not ready. Mccain failed and Obama showed he could be President, thereby gaining the "perception" of winning.

Tom Kaye (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:38 AM)

i respectfully disagree with the Yepsen's opinion.

i felt that the debate itself was a draw.

the night went to Obama however, because of McCain's obvious disdain for his enemy. the way McCain handled debating Obama highlighted how he will deal with foreign leaders, and that is condescendingly and with obvious unease.

Obama tried many times to reach across the partisan divide, giving McCain credit and agreeing with certain subjects to provide a starting point in compromise. McCain doesn't have that ability, which is the most important presidential quality: the ability to work with people who do not subscribe to your worldview completely.

http://horneddevil.proboards98.com/index.cgi#general

Tzalaran (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:41 AM)

Hey Yepson,

McCain stated in the debate that he does not support ethanol or ethanol subsidies. It seems that you don't speak for your state (Iowa) when you ignore that gaffe.

He also lost his cool twice and could not pronounce Ahmedinejad. The only reason Obama was ever on the defensive was when Senator McCain repeated any number of debunked lies that his campaign continues to repeat.

In reality the debate was a tie and it showed that Senator Obama is more than capable of understanding and dealing with foreign policy issues. This in itself is a win for Senator Obama considering it dispelled to the American public the inexperience and "not ready" arguments pushed by the Republicans which was, in turn, keeping undecideds unsure. McCain may not have lost the debate, but Obama certainly came out ahead as a result.

Democrat (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:45 AM)

What debate were they watching?

Vote 4 The Guy with 1 House (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:48 AM)

Everyone sees the debate through the prism of their own bias. That is human nature. Those who already lean Obama, thought he won. Those who already lean McCain, thought he won. Apparently, from the polls, those in the middle who hadn't already made up their minds were swayed to Obama's side. In my opinion, that means that Obama won.

Linda, Allen, Tx (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:49 AM)

The EXPERTS can debate this all they want, but the VOTING PEOPLE say Obama won it. Two polls, two victories for Obama.

Tom, Edison, NJ (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:50 AM)

Vote Barr folks. McCains campaign and running mate are a joke and embarrassment to every conservative in the country. I was a Huckabee voter and am very conservative and I actually think Obama would do about as good as McCain but Barr is a real conservative who could put the economic crisis in simple terms, would end the war in Iraq and protect our home land. McCain has sold out and I am sick of him.

dusual tx (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:52 AM)

I understand why Obama is touting the economic side of that first debate, but I'd like to ask a question about the foreign policy side of it.

I think anyone watching that debate would have gotten a good glimpse of Obama's vision for foreign policy. Is the same true of McCain's vision, assuming there is one?

I think I know McCain's vision - if you can call an overly simplistic world view in which foreigners are good when they fully back our goals and evil when they don't. But I don't think McCain explained that or any alternative vision during the debate.

The pundits say he did fine. I disagree. Other than name dropping (twice incorrectly), travel stories and claims that Obama doesn't understand something or other, what the heck did he say that impressed you guys so much?

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:55 AM)

McCain did not win the first presidential debate. McCain did "good", but he needed more than just good, especially if he is arguing great experience=great leadership. Obama probably did not hit McCain as aggressively as I would have liked to see, but Obama did not back down from McCain and he certainly did hit McCain aggressively on several issues of the night. Obama demonstrated that he was willing to look McCain in the eye (even though McCain did not look Obama in the eyes a single time) and fire back at McCain. In the upcoming debates, I hope that Obama does attack more aggressively and continues to stare McCain down.

Lifelong Republican for Obama, Columbia, TN (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:56 AM)

Obama needs to be more bread and butter in the debates...he needs to get back to kitchen table politics instead of listing Senate votes, etc....people want to feel connected to him, and want to know he feels connected to them and truly understands how hard things are for them...this is how Clinton won his debates and his elections, same thing goes for Reagan. This is why Kerry lost in 2004. Don't turn the debates into a congressional quarterly...except to the extent you have to correct a mistatement, i.e, lie, from McCain about your voting record - make the point quickly, and immediatley turn back to the bread and butter issues.

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:56 AM)

You could tell the repugnant ones were desperate to claim a false victory in the first debate, they already had their stories written before the deabte ever started. Ofcourse the repugnant ones are always light on facts and heavy on political spin. Obama looked far more in control of himself than the desperate debater who couldn't even look Obama in the eye, the sure sign of a cowardly bully getting his comepuppance.

The early polls right after the debate told the true story that Obama won. I was wondering why Chris Matthews went off his rocker whining about Obama not talking about more economic topics, I guess Chris forgot that there is still a whole debate on economics coming up last and Obama was very wise to keep some of his economic bullets in reserve for that debate while the old desperado had to shoot his whole economic wad during the first debate. Chris needs to get his head screwed on correctly for the next debate.

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:57 AM)

What koolade has someone been drinking to suggest that a person who mutters "horsechit" under his breath twice and fails to look his opponent in the eye throughout a 90 minute debate actually won?? I shudder to think how foreign leadesrs will perceive McCain ( and the USA) if he somehow gets elected!!

Cindi in Louisiana (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 9:58 AM)

Obama was more presidential than McCain and showed that he's willing to engage others to reach concensus, something McCain lacked. He avoided Senator Obama the entire time, even though Obama tried to engage him. We saw the debate and made up our own minds. Pundits like you won't be successful in trying to steer us toward your guy, McCain. Obama was the most presidential at that debate. He did address the economy and showed excellent knowledge in foreign policy, somehting that people like you had already marked off against Obama. McCain seemed like an angry old man who was ticked off that his younger competitor was able to articulate in detail his plans for the country. McCain = the past, Obama = the future! McCain is too dangerous for this country, as seen by his reckless decisions the past few weeks. This is not fighter jet!

Terri, TX (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:06 AM)

I was grateful for a really substantive debate with no 'gotcha' questions, but enough red meat to be interesting and not too wonky.

I think both candidates did well, and I don't see a standout winner on points alone.

However, it was Obama's to lose, and he held his own. It was fascinating to me that he seemed to do better on foreign policy than he did on the economy.

Anyone else surprised by that, or am I off base?

Readhead (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:08 AM)

I thought the debate was clearly a tie, as a Obama
supporter I expect to see the next two debates go
to Sen. Obama clearly, there wont be anymore ties, it
will be easy for Obama to win because he is the choice we have this year , he is right. You know McCain is a fool for letting the bushies run his campaign, we have already seen all this and the end results are what we working class live everyday. If the people of the USA vote thier own intrest it will be Obama in a landslide.

marty

marty holloman,columbia,s.c. (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:09 AM)

Anyone who saw the debate knows, without question, that Obama won hands down. There was too much anger and resentment in McCain for him to get any of his ideas across. I, for one, do not want someone so hot headed to have his finger on the nuclear button.

chris, SC (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:10 AM)

I don't know what debate Yepsen was watching, but all McCain did during the debate to put Obama "on the defensive" was to repeat his previous misstatements of Obama's policies. And then he has the nerve to follow up the debate with an ad campaign that makes even more claims about the debate that aren't true. Obama is right: McCain needs to stop talking about Obama and start talking about what he's going to do for us!

Jim Laubach, Bethlehem, PA (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:11 AM)

I think Yepsen needs to take off those rose-colored glasses!

ujw, ny (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:11 AM)

I was thinking about Pat, Huntington NY during the debate. Hoping that Pat was thinking what I was thinking: man, that Obama is brilliant. McCain, to me, was sharper than I thought he would be, after nearly blowing up the debate and all. He's clearly a professional politician, but also SO neurotic, self pitying and touchy I could barely stand to watch him. In some ways, I was worried he made a deeper impression than Obama, just by dint of the fact he was flakier and more emotional. You never know what voters take away from debates.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:11 AM)

A little bit of bias from the Des Moines Register. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Most people saw McCain as...not so beautiful. Obama is full of life, ideas, can still think, can look at his opponent, appears more friendly, and most importantly: Is more Presidential.

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:14 AM)

I agree that Obama was the winner. Mainly because Mccain LIED so much on Obama's positions then tried to FILIBUSTER with stories from long, long ago, so that Obama had no or very little time to rebut the LIE. But we have grown to expect this type of behavior from mccain, haven't we. Shameful...

I appreciated that Obama was able to state out loud where he and mcain had similar views on a subject. That showed that he is a big enough person to admit the similar views, even of an opponent and that he is secure in himself. It also showed that he knows how to work well with others... which is what mccain shouts he knows how to do (but didn't prove it to me).

Lastly, mccain's arrogance and disrespect of not looking at Obama showed the biggest flaw in his character, and I do not want someone like that leading our country.

It made him look Little, Small minded, haughty, racist and snooty.

Characteristics I find very unappealing in a leader.

This over 50, white, FEMALE republican will not be casting a vote for Mccain this year or any year...

NOT this year or any year (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:18 AM)

Obama looked like a pouting child and was so rude with his interruptions. Is that how he is going to act in foreign negotiations? And, what a name dropper, trying to use Kissinger to support Obama's stupid belief that the President should sit down with people like Ahmadinejad. I hope everybody heard Kissinger say that basically Obama lied and twisted Kissinger's words. Is that what we want in our President. No thanks.

mccain palin 08 (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:18 AM)

Obviously they watched a different debate in DesMoines, cuz no way did McCain win!? Wake up Iowa.

Pat (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:18 AM)

attaking without facts is not forceful it is stupid, but then thats mccant for ya.

thats a fact jack (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:19 AM)

What show was the Des Moines Register’s Yepsen watching. McCain could not even look at Obama during his rebuttals, nor did he really look at the camera. He was blinking with allmost every word he said, which usually means you are lying. The only thing he kept repeating during the foreign policy section was that "I've been to(select country)."

I have personally been to Florida. Does that mean I know EVERYTHING there is about Florida. I've been to California, so should I run for mayor? Haveing been somewhere, and having knowledge about that same place are two dfferent things, and I didnt get the feeling that John McCain KNEW anything about the places he's been. All in all, i found John McCain's proformance to be lacking in allmost every way. I honestly think John would have had a better chance of winning if he would have just stayed home.

Paul, Sunbury, PA (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:19 AM)

I actully felt sorry for McCain. He looked old and frail. Poor thing, hes wasnt sharp, spoke very slowly and didnt seem at ease. He's a fossil thats stuck in the past with an 80's view of the world. Obama is clearly the future of this country. We need an smart focused president and not one who just want to win with stunts. Gas tax holiday, a stunt. Palin pic, a stunt. Suspending his campaign, yet another stunt. Hes a clown, not a maveric. Humm...isnt George Bush a maveric?

Joel, Manhattan, NY (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:22 AM)

As I look at the various poll results on "who won the election"... I have come to the conclusion that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What I would like to see is a demographic breakdown of those who think that Obama won and those who think that McCain won. My guess is that age will be the determining factor... and not the issues or debating ability. It's simply a question of who people can better relate to -- policies have little to do with it, unfortunately.

As for McCain not speaking of the "middle class", he did, in fact, except that he used the term "Main Street". When speaking of the economic crisis he said:

"We're talking about failures on Main Street, and people who will lose their jobs, and their credits, and their homes."

Effectively Obama is engaging in distortion of substance and disinformation on the basis of semantics, not to mention that the debate was NOT about the economy, but about foreign policy and defense. (And the media is letting him get away with it!)

Andrew O (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:22 AM)

Des Moines Register’s Yepsen has a McCain Campaign office in their back yard.

"Understand!"

"Anger"

Rattled

Shaken
And Stirred

That's what I saw with John McCain.

The rapid attack dog who could not even look at his opponent. Was he scared?

I wonder.

Andress (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:29 AM)

So many people have been waiting to see if Obama is capable of being commander-in-chief. While McCain has the edge on knowledge of the Russian political landscape, Obama didn't have to win. His was a threshold test. Not "is he better", but "is he good enough". With Obama passing the "good enough" test, older white voters, security moms, and the unconvinced should find it easier to pull his lever come November.

Dave, Denver CO (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:30 AM)

Yepsen of the Des Moines Register must have watched a different debate than the rest of the world. McCain LOST the debate. Period.

He showed a good command of some facts but he was off his rocker on others (Pakistan a failed state 10 years ago). Therefore, by virtue of the fact that he characterizes himself as THE EXPERT on ALL things foreign affairs he can't make any mistakes.

He sounds like a wind-up toy because he repeats over and over again how he knows how to "FIX" everything. What kind of nonsense is that??
Notably..."I know how to win wars", I know how to fix the economy", "I know how to catch Bin Laden". That's just crazy talk.

McCain. If you have the answers to those questions why haven't you done anything about it? It hasn't taken Obama 26 years to figure out that sh-- in Washington is badly broken and you and your party can't fix it.

Obama/Biden

Sheila Robinson, Baltimore, MD (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:33 AM)

That Good Ol'Boy.. Mentality that McCain displayed turned against him.. The question should be asked is why is it that McCain do not get any of the "Black Vote"???......The "No Telephone" folks will be voting.....

The Real Truth!!! (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:34 AM)

I agree, Senator Barack Obama won that debate by far. He was way clearer and actually answered the questions where Senator John McCain just avoided the questions and issues at hand. He just referred back to himself but never dealt with the questions. I don't think the debate was about talking about oneself but to address the questions to know how each one was gonna go after each problem. Senator McCain was distracting the audience instead being specific. On the other hand, Barack Obama was as specific as allowed by the constant interruptions of Senator McCain. Senator McCain was disrespectful at times and went over the time allowed. On the other hand, Senator Barack Obama was respectful of Senator McCain and dealt with situation with class. In addition, Senator Obama knew how to make his point and also how to refute the repetitive false accusations from Senator McCain.

In conclusion, Obama 1 - McCain 0.

Pedro Falconi, Louisville, KY (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:36 AM)

Even a blind man could see Obama won. His answers were articulate and detailed. McCain came off as a cantankerous old man trying to dismiss a young rival by calling him naive, while being so scared of eye-to-eye contact it was distracting. McCain said he looked PUTIN in the eye and saw KGB, maybe he won't look OBAMA in the eye for fear he'll see the next President of the United States.

Cordie Ray (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:38 AM)

Sounds like the Des Moines Register is touting their own brand of politics. McCain was anything but cool under fire. Not once did he look at Obama, or the camera. His jaws coninually flexed when he wasn't speaking, which came off as seething anger. None of the points he made were specific. The trend seems to continue amongst the Republican party to give us answers without substance, to make us fear what we cannot see, and divide and conquere this nation. Mr. McCain, I am tired of living in fear. At this point, with the economy faultering, the dislike of the US in the international community, the "new" energy crisis, and jobs falling out of the sky like raindrops, I need some hope. This seems to be something only your opponent knows how to provide. Come November Sir, I will vote against fear, and for hope.

John Doe, Quincy, IL (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:41 AM)

Hi.

If you're going to write that E.J. Dionne is 'left-leaning', then please have the courtesy to write that David Yepsen is 'right-leaning'.

Yepsen was won of the Midwest's most outspoken advocates of the war in Iraq, which he now tries to hide behind his aw-shucks-down't-I-know-the-caucuses-like-nobody-else demeanor. He's not a non-partisan, he's a right-wing partisan and should be described as such.

The Phantom (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:45 AM)

Obama clearly was in command of the debate and only showed slight frustration when Sen. McCain was "fast and loose" with the facts.

Sen. Obama appeared presidential and statesman like, while McCain appeared cantankerous and grumpy. It was clear that McCain held Obama in disdain and contempt and even expelled an exasperated "Oh, Puh-leeze" once. That snarkish, sophomoric remark lost him points big time with a lot of voters. When McCain couldn't look Obama in the eye, even at the request of the moderator, then McCain has used bad judgement once again. Now, more than ever, McCain has shown that he doesn't have the temperment nor the judgement to lead.

GO OBAMA/BIDEN

J. Ellis, Virginia (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 10:46 AM)

When is the MSM going to start reporting on Obama's corrupt ties with groups such as ACORN??

naomi, valdosta ga (Sent Monday, September 29, 2008 2:38 PM)

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