Just one thing I'd like to have heard Obama say...

[NYC_SKP]

"John, look at me..."

Just once, like before explaining Spain to him.

"John, look at me. Spain is an ally, they're our FRIENDS, they're good guys."

McCain's greatest weakness tonight was his inability to face his opponent, it looked nervous and cowardly and it could be used against him by Obama without it seeming mean.

PS: I think we'll see a little more attitude from Obama in the next two debates...I think he's pacing himself like a long distance runner.

[grannylib]

1. I agree, I said something similar in another thread. He's gotta save some

stuff for debates 2 and 3. Good call though...that line would be PERFECT. PERFECT. Put the little asshole in his place.

[NYC_SKP]

5. My mom used to say, when she suspected me of lying...

"Look me in the eyes and say that"

Classic. And it needs to be applied to John McCain.

:hi:

[krkaufman]

8. ha! That's exactly what I was wishing Obama would say.

I'd have loved to see McCain's brain implode, torn between his refusal to look at Obama and being directly confronted on a lie. Alas, it is more confrontational than Obama wanted to be.

[dana_b]

2. I wished that Obama had brought up McCain's hideous record

on veteran's affairs. McCain's comments at the end about he's such a friend to vets made me ill.

[Auggie]

3. Mine is, "John, when is it wrong to spend money that benefits people?"

I'd like to see Senator Obama define the Democratic party ideology better. It's a knockout punch.

[krkaufman]

9. Obama and all Dems need to explain that what Republicans broadly castigate as wasteful spending ...

... is also called investment, and provide examples of critical investments that government is in the best/only position to provide: public education; highways, bridges, etc; Internet development; advanced research and development; etc.

We're still far too weak in defending justifiable investments.

[Cha]

4. Right..build up as it were..it's

not as if we haven't seen it before.

Too early for Obama to take mccain to school.

[deadparrot]

6. This first debate was the toughest for Obama.

Subject-wise, it was his perceived weak spot, coupled with the typical "first-debate jitters" factor that was probably at play.

Now that he and the campaign have a decent idea of his strengths and weaknesses, they can work on some improvements. Personally, though, I think he quite effectively held his own against a more traveled, more experienced opponent.

[krkaufman]

7. I was thinking something similar... that in confronting McCain on some transparent lie ...

... saying to McCain, "John, I can't believe you believe that to be true. Look me in the eye and say that."

Might have been too confrontational, but it would have been fun to watch McCain refusing to look Obama in the eye.

[ailsagirl]

10. That would have been perfect. I bet next debate, he WILL be

looking at Obama, since probably a lot of people have given him flak about this. Definitely a self-destructive move. (But I'm glad he did it-- hee hee)

Or else, Obama will incorporate the "look at me" phrase in his responses. That would be awesome

[ihavenobias]

11. Ha, ha...perfect. K & R

[sunnybrook]

12. disagree

Obama had the right amount of confrontation. If he would have said "Just look at me," they would have spun that as SO disrespectful, i.e. uppity... Obama won this with substance and class. He has to be careful about aggressive tactics that are open to other candidates at this point IMO... he is trying to appeal to some white voters that are in REALITY not totally comfortable in voting for him for "some reason" they can't put their fingers on.... He has to be more prepared, brilliant and substantive, and at least now, non-threatening to some of those unenlightened types... unfair but true IMO

[Overseas]

13. Obama's addressing his comments to McScorn was enough.

Calling it out would have been too awkward and joining McSame's pouting party.

By Obama continuing in a courteous manner to address his comments to both John and Jim called attention to Johnny's grouchy pouting scorn without rubbing his nose in it.

Much more presidential.

Calling out something like "Look at me John," would sound too emotional or immature.

He showed up McLame's rudeness much more by just carrying on professionally with the debate.