The debate on Friday, September 26th, allowed both candidates to show off their competence in their respective fields. Although the debate was originally on the topic of foreign policy (McCain's forte), the well timed financial crisis allowed Obama to sneak in half an hour of his strength: the economy. McCain, possibly realizing the potential danger, almost did not appear at the debate. It wasn't until early Friday that he decided to show up after all. Most news sources, including Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and even Yahoo News, agree that the debate ended in a tie, with no side winning any ground over the other. Basically, a whole lot of talking happened, and nothing important was said.
In the first half hour, Obama was leading the infantry and allowing McCain's blood pressure to boil dangerously. With a hardly contained passive aggressive stance, McCain allowed Obama to plow over him with phrases like "middle class" and "economic growth". Obama obviously knew what he was doing and McCain was falling short. Sensing his victory, Obama even threw in a couple attacks at McCain by connecting him to the decisions of the Bush Administration that everybody knows is evil. According to CNN, the polls show that the country believe that Obama is the best choice for economic policy.
However, when the second half of the hour arrived, the great behemoth of foreign policy was allowed to roar. McCain fired repeatedly on Obama's lack of experience and repeatedly used the phrase "Senator Obama doesn't understand..." to lead his attacks. To retaliate, Obama hardened his glare and tone and said "I absolutely understand..." but fails to impress. McCain spent a great deal dropping names like "General Petraeus" and waving them in Obama's face. Tired of his showboating, Obama fired back with his greatest prepared comeback in his arsenal to quiet the foreign policy monster: using McCain's first name. "John, you like to pretend the war started in 2007...The war started in 2003..."
Yet, despite his great skill in petty arguments, Obama lost that half of the debate. CNN reports that voters feel more confidence in McCain for foreign affairs. In the end, after a whole hour of interupting each other with "That is not true" and battling for superiority, the debate ended in a tie. The greatest summary for the debate, I believe, is said by Susan Estrich from Fox News: "If you were for Obama going in, you still are; if you were for McCain going in, you still are. And if you were undecided Friday afternoon, you probably still are today." No one won, no one lost, and nothing interesting happened.
Arnold Chow
Fox News
CNN Analysis
CNN Summary
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