I'm starting to think maybe McCain was coached not to look at Obama.

[calmblueocean]

He does it from the very first handshake.

I wonder if perhaps some adviser said that looking up at someone taller than you makes you seem weak and childlike, so don't look at Obama. Any other theories?

[yardwork]

1. I think he was coached to ignore Obama in an attempt to annoy Obama.

Somebody else said it reminded them of little kids pretending to ignore people they're mad at. I was thinking it reminded me of bullies, especially mean girls, who ignored people as a form of bullying and intimidation.

It just made McCain look like a petty fool. Which is what he is.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

2. It's a pouty-baby tactic.

Hmph!

[TooRaLoo]

3. They were afraid he'd lose his temper, maybe? nt

edit: lost = lose

[LonelyLRLiberal]

9. I thought there were a few times he was going to blow his stack, anyhow. LOL

[shanti]

4. he wouldn't look OR speak

directly to obama. the man is WEIRD, that's all there is too it. he gives me the creeps.

[pointsoflight]

5. Maybe guilt, maybe disrespect, maybe to keep from getting angry.

Whichever it is, it didn't play well.

[chupacabranation]

6. Macular degeneration n/t

Old people joke

[BlueIdaho]

7. 1. He hates Barack...

2. He is afraid of Barack.

[liberalmuse]

8. Obama deserves more respect than that.

And I believe most Americans will note the undeserved disrespect McCain showed towards him. I'll not say my take on this again, but let's just say this was a poor move on McCain's part.

[Zambero]

10. Bush II acted like a prick in his first debate with Kerry

It was the one debate with Kerry that Bush clearly lost, less to substance than his smirky off-putting expressions whenever Kerry spoke. Then Bush became Mr. Nice for the next two debates. Interesting to see if McCain does indeed become "Miss Congeniality" after getting a full critique of his attitude problem and how "well" it went over with viewers.

[zingaro]

11. Remember what he said about meeting with "enemy" leaders?

I think in McClown parlance, looking at Obama would have been the equivalent of "sitting across the table" with him and might have given the impression that McDoofus was "legitimizing" him.

Yeah, it's the stupidest thing McCain could have done, imo, but that's the only reason I can think of other than he's a rude bumblefuck.

[blonndee]

12. If so, he got some BAD ADVICE. Makes him look weak and petty.

Even for those who tend to support him, I imagine it make him look like an old-fashioned asshole. Not good.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

13. The way Yukon Barbie was coached to use "Charlie" repeatedly.

It was definitely a sign of disrespect, IMO -- a failed attempt to make Obama seem like a non-entity.

[krkaufman]

14. That. Or he's just a d**k. n/t