Obama expects to improve in next week's Democratic Presidential debate

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: Monday, May 28, 2007
Obama expects to improve in next week's debate

DARTMOUTH, New Hampshire (CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama said Monday that he expects his performance in next week's presidential debate to improve from his first head-to-head match-up with the other Democratic contenders last month in South Carolina.

"I assume it will get better as time goes on," the Illinois Democrat answered after being asked whether he expects to receive better reviews at the New Hampshire Democratic presidential debate being held Sunday, June 3rd at Saint Anselm College in Manchester.

The South Carolina Democratic presidential debate was the Illinois senator's first such event and his performance was rated by political analysts as just fair. Obama said the important thing for him is to keep his answers to 60 seconds, but added that it's sometimes hard for him to do so.

"Sometimes I have a long wind up," Obama said.

CNN, WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader are hosting the Democratic debate as well as a Republican presidential debate on June 5th.

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/05/obama-expects-to-improve-in-next-weeks.html

[Colobo]

1. He did well last time... he just needs to relax a bit more

[Exultant Democracy]

2. I think perhaps he did better then well. I have hear him speak many times

and I think perhaps he was trying to lower his debate expectations so that closer to the election he will have the option of winning a debate, unlike for example Clinton who has much higher expectations.

[Bullet1987]

4. He did appear a bit nervous in the beginning of the last debate...but finished well.

[Silence Dogood]

5. agreed, he was a little nervous

but his responses were right on target-

Go Bama!

[Jim Sagle]

3. He did fine. This is just more media horserace horseshit.

[doggyboy]

7. Yep

Who in the world expected Obama to say that he expects to do a bad job at the debate?

[mckeown1128]

6. I think he did pretty well in the debate..

A friend of mine (political science major) was explaining how candidates are taught to give a prepared speech for the topic matter what the particular question is. Any question about medical care will get the same speech. Obama seems to do things a little differently than most politicians. He seems to actually be thinking about the question and trying to respond in the moment. On one hand I think it is admirable of Obama to try to answer questions specifically and thoughtfully, but on the other hand we are living in a world of the sound clip and a well thought out response doesn't have the rhetoric necessary to make people pay attention. I think the Obama camp has been working on this. He should sound more confident(rehearsed) like the rest of the candidates in the next debate. His amazing speaking ability will then allow him to rock out.