Tie Goes to the Runner Prez Debate 9.27.08 jazzman3
In baseball, the tie goes to the runner. At this point, the first one-on-one debate in the 2008 Presidential race, the runner is John McCain and the 1st baseman is Barack Obama. Senator McCain is stretching to win the race, while Senator Obama is holding on to stay in the race. According the left leaning MSM, the script calls for Senator Obama to continue his soaring campaign all the way into the White House. The Republican nominee, Senator John McCain is not supposed to be this competitive in the Presidential horse race. Can’t he just fade away like the last Republican war hero, former US Senator Bob Dole? However, this 2008 Republican nominee is looking presidential and the Democratic candidate is looking for more experience, as reflected in his VP pick of Senator Joe Biden.
In this first debate, both men held their own generally in the debate. But the real goal is not who won the debate (that the MSM naturally gave to Senator Obama), but which candidate looked presidential and ready to lead the United States of America? To me Obama knew about the subjects and was well prepared for the debate, but McCain really knows the world and he is well prepared to be President. This is what will convince the US voter…is this guy ready to be the President?
Based on Senator Obama’s own words, “John you are absolutely right on that”, the junior Senator from Illinois was the follower as he acknowledged the Senator from Arizona articulate his position on the issues. Byron York noted that Senator Obama make this statement of acknowledgement eight (8) times during the Friday night presidential debate www.nationalreview.com There was plenty of disagreement during the debate, but it was clear that McCain’s experience, judgment and determination was substantial as compared to Obama’s smooth and well rehearsed subject matter answers.
Both men weighed into the debate with vigor, resolve and determination, as the national stage was set to discuss the issues. The moderator, PBS newsman Jim Lehrer made the decision to have the presidential candidates respond to each other, in addition to answering the questions. In a sense the Mr. Lehrer was also a winner in the debate, as his approach kept the topic and responses by the candidates more spontaneous, and less rehearsed.
Three areas stand out in this debate: Taxes and spending, the war in Iraq and dealing with the rouge nations of the world. Moderator Jim Lehrer asked each candidate, based on the potential cost of the financial bail out, what would each man do in response in terms of the Federal budget? Senator Obama wavered as he realized that with less tax revenues at the Federal level, many of his spending priorities would be in jeopardy. But where to cut, that was beyond his experience and way of thinking. Senator McCain on the other hand, weighed right in with suggesting a freeze on US government spending, with exceptions for national defense, veterans and some entitlements.
Both candidates differ on the war on Iraq. Barack Obama built his political career and campaign at the national level on an anti-war position, regardless of the consequences or situation on the ground in Iraq. John McCain, on the other hand, took the approach that while war is something to avoid and only to be engaged in as the last resort, we better get the mission accomplished in Iraq, and leave with victory, honor and dignity. McCain knew his bracelet, it’s story and the young man’s name whom he committed to his mother that his battlefield sacrifice was not in vain. Obama quickly responded that he had a bracelet to, but struggled to remember the young man’s name. He knew the reason he wore it for the soldier’s mom, but in a political way that supports his anti-war position.
Then the question of what to do with Iran came up, and the contrasts of the candidates became even clearer. Senator Obama wove a delicate set a statements as he backed away from his primary campaign position of “I’ll talk to anyone and anytime, with out preconditions”. Senator McCain schooled the younger senator in diplomacy 101, making the airtight case for preconditions prior to the US President meeting with any rouge state or enemy head of state. While Obama was ready for the Presidential debate, McCain came across as ready to be the President of the United States. He looks like he is now off and running to 2nd base, the site of the October 7th Presidential debate.
© 2008, Four Corners Media, Durango, CO
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