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Edited on Sat Sep-27-08 12:09 AM by NRaleighLiberal
First - Walter: Both did well, but McCain needed more tonight...didn't happen. People will be looking at Kissinger's statement on Iran for fact checking. Both could be sustained. Really one of the only vigorous discussions. Thought it odd that both candidates were grasping for Kissinger (used to run from him!). Thought McCain missed shots in the first half of the debate. (he was not Obama in the first half)
Doris Kearns Goodwin: Just by scoring equally, Obama came out ahead. Brought up Kennedy holding his own with Nixon in 1960. Both did fairly well....Obama did better in the economic part. McCain OK re experience. Brought up the irritation, but said it wasn't as bad as Gore's eye rolling. Not a game changer, decent, solid, best Obama answer - I reserve the right as president of talking to whom I choose. McCain's age and anger didn't show. Obama was respectful to McCain. Obama looked calm (like Kennedy, Reagan in previous debates) - steadiness was good for him to project. Body language - McCain - he kept going at Obama in personal terms, Obama never got personal on McCain - audience will not like the condescending manner. Was amazed when McCain compared Bush with Obama's stubbornness on surge. Obama succeeded at putting Iraq in the larger focus - a matter of judgement and strategy. Big win there for Obama. In the first part of the debate, neither were answering the question about what to not do with the 700B. Missed opportunity to show passion for what America needed (Obama could have showed more passion/emotion on this). That would have been an opening home run.
Mark Halperin: Agree with everything said - adds one thing: Obama clearly did better, showed he was calm, prepped, capable. McCain spoke too much Washington jargon, didn't convey meanings of his words. Obama reassured people better than McCain taking Obama down (overused the didn't understand point). Thought that they wanted Obama to come out of this as conversant. He prepared more for this than McCain, thought more about what to do and execute. McCain showed more of himself, spontaneous - good or bad. McCain failed to make his central argument that he makes the country first and works in a bipartisan way. No memorable soundbites. Lots of other news - the debates may be soon forgotten because of so much news going on. This debate probably will have little to no impact on the race. If Obama has two more debates like this, he will be very tough to beat.
Byron York: High minded, no gaffes, no gotchas, so was disappointed. Thought Obama was on the defensive. Thought McCain did better on economic stuff re spending (but was speaking to the base). Mentioned the internet ad where McCain used Obama's agreements. Didn't see Obama as aggressive enough. Thought McCain was vigorous, not old sounding. McCain needed to get past the last few rotten weeks....Obama didn't jump on that McCain messed up the budget deal.
Jim Hoagland: Saw the same debate, thought it was even, which is Obama's favor. First half of debate Obama was strongest (assoc. McCain with failed Bush policies). Second half, McCain did a good job of presenting his experience and separated himself from Bush well. But, Obama was a foreign policy underdog, so coming out even was coming out ahead. McCain put a floor on his recent falling in the polls. As to the Kissinger statement - was lower level meetings, not president. Obama came back to agree with that later on (he thought Obama waffled). As to Russia - they agreed at the outset in the debate. Both want to give economic reconstruction aid to Georgia. McCain came down harder against Russia; Obama said Russia was important to working with Iran.
David Sanger: Agree with overall assessments. One interesting moment in Pakistan discussion - Obama affiliated himself with Bush's policy (since summer - sending ground forces over the border into Pak. - if Pak. can't control it, he is willing to). McCain backpedeled to where Bush used to be - coordination/cooperation with the Paks. Obama made better case for preemption. Then it flipped when discussing Iran. (Obama talking, McCain don't talk). At one Point Obama brought up that Bill Burns joined a mtg with the Iranians. So, Bush layed out a policy but violated it....As to Iran - before McCain got the nomination that it would be better to strike them than live with them with a nuke. He walked to the edge of that tonight, but never quite said I'd rather risk a war. Obama - he turned the argument toward one of sanctions and deep engagement - argued it was Bush's failure to engage that gave Iran the opportunity to build their thousands of centrifuges - Bush got stuck into why not to engage.
Al Hunt: Thought debate was two part. Pure foreign part, McCain more forceful and confrontational, Obama held his own. Surprised here....was shocked McCain talked earmarks, made it seem McCain doesn't understand the issue. Both have problems - neither can afford their agendas. Expansive programs of Obama for domestic issues will be curtailed, plus we can't afford McCain's tax cuts - and neither can afford them. Closing remarks: both did pretty well, hit their notes - few people probably changed their minds. As to the current domestic crisis, McCain dug a political hole for himself with his behavior a few days ago - Obama came out very solid tonight. McCain would have done better tonight if the second half was the first half tonight. If I were Obama, I would be happier than McCain - McCain met expectations, Obama far exceeded them - because he showed himself to be presidential. Plus, back to the financial crisis - and when that is front and center, Obama wins.
Jeff Greenfield: Two debates: first on the economy unsatisfying - neither candidate, faced with 700B hit, neither said we were in deep trouble. McCain sounded too senatorial - like Dole. Obama did better job with connecting it to the people's woes. Foreign policy- both were strong - Obama good on wrong on the war, McCain good on cutting and running. Pros will say Mccain demonstrated a real knowledge. But, in the minds of most people, Obama passed the test and could play on the same field. Snap poll showed lopsided victory for Obama - and far more undecideds thought Obama won. Will take 48 hrs plus to get a clear view of how it went. McCain missed an opportunity at the outset for not doing a Churchill and saying how bad things really are (straight talk). But...Obama is still fairly unknown to much of the country. If people watched it, and the polls are ringing true, this may be the beginning of a big rise for Obama and could be the beginning of the end for McCain (brought up the Palin factor tonight).
David Brooks (yikes...I dislike this fellow). thought debate was like a lifetime subscription to Congressional Quarterly. So many details! Both were impressive - McCain's best debate ever. Obama showed that he can indeed be president. Neither touched the soul of the American people....stepped back from the issue and gave some themes. McCain, in good and bad ways, showed the most of himself. Obama didn't talk very much about change. McCain was on the offensive pretty much all night and missed opportunities. On balance, he had a slightly better night - debate did not change the race dramatically.
Katty Kay (BBC) - wonders if we learned anything new? Doesn't think so. More time clarifying what each one of them said or meant. Obama seems to find it hard to end a sentence in a clear coherent way. McCain either hates Obama, so can't look at him, or doesn't want to get rattled, and can't look at him.
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