For most of this year, people have heard that Obama is no match for McCain on foreign policy

[ProSense]

Last night's debate proved the talking point that McCain is a credible expert on foreign policy (meaning knowledgeable, able to propose sound policies based on truth) is BS.

The MSM was ready to hand McCain a win, launching into the McCain was "on his turf" spin. When the reports of gaffes and lies surfaced (within minutes after the debate ended), the pundits and analysts slowly walked back on their initial assessment. The spin then became "Obama held his own."

This debate, primarily focused on foreign policy, was supposed to be McCain's sweet spot and a stiff challenge for Obama. But the first-term Illinois senator held his own, displaying a comfortable understanding of what was considered his toughest policy subject. So did McCain — but the four-term Arizona senator was expected to.

link

Truth: McCain did not hold his own, he got ass kicked. Period.

[Happyhippychick]

1. Obama has consistently been underestimated and that has been to his advantage. That's why we can't

do the same with Palin.

[ProSense]

3. Stop it!

Palin is a proven idiot.

[Happyhippychick]

4. Of course. But the bar keeps getting lowered on expectations for her and we should be raising them.

But yes, she is a friggin' ijut.

[RichGirl]

7. Actually...McCain himself raised the bar last night.

With his judgement of Obama he set HIS standard for qualifying to be POTUS. The VP is a heartbeat from the presidency. Therefore, Palin will have to do BETTER than Obama in order to live up to McCain's standard of judgement.

[Happyhippychick]

8. Yes, he was stupid to bring her up, too. I loved that.

[RichGirl]

11. I know...it was cringe worthy!

The media people live in a bubble. They look at McCain and see his long history. But the public, has been watching video clips of Palin/Couric all week. They see the man who chose her to be a heartbeat from the POTUS.

[iceman66]

6. I agree!

Even though she is as dumb as a box of rocks, Palin will appeal to the 'low information voters' at a gut level.

Remember that many who are still 'undecided' this late in the game probably doesn't understand the issues any better than she does!

[RichGirl]

9. I simply don't get that.

THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND ANY BETTER THAN PALIN ARE NOT RUNNING FOR VP!!!!!!!!!!
That's like saying...my doctor doesn't know what a thyroid gland is, but hey, most people don't know.

[YvonneCa]

14. It's like this...since the issues are 'way over their...

...collective heads', they vote based on who is most like them. I think that's a problem. Personally, I want my president to be WAY more intelligent than I am...but that's just me. :7

[iceman66]

15. Yes.

She obviously can't win on her command of the issues. They will try and make her seem as likable and down-to-earth as possible.

[YvonneCa]

16. Yes. And our wonderful Joe Biden...

...is pretty likable, too. But he'll blow her away on the issues.

[iceman66]

17. I have full confidence in Joe Biden!

[YvonneCa]

19. So do I. :) n/t

[ProSense]

10. No, she's beyond that. This is not the time for games. Conservatives are onto her.

Raise expectations, and reverse that? So that when she has another OK moment she gets a pass?

No, she is an idiot.

[1corona4u]

2. I totally agree....

I think Obama showed people what he's really made of last night, in a good way.

[liberalmuse]

5. Your last sentence is exactly right.

All McCain did was throw out some names and he couldn't even say, 'Ahmedinajad' (did I even spell that right?). We already have seen the man has very poor judgment. And his demeanor last night was disgraceful.

[RichGirl]

12. We never give Obama enough credit.

John McCain was right (I'm doing it too!) when he said that Obama chooses his words carefully.
I noticed two subtle things.

Early on he proudly mentioned Biden and his qualifications. Clarifying that Obama has good judgement.

He also mentioned Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in relation to veterans while looking at veteran John McCain. Interesting....

[YvonneCa]

18. Almost a...

...subliminal message. I hadn't noticed that, but that's good. If he attacks 'our war hero' HE will be attacked by the media for it. So he was overly conciliatory and gracious...a statesman-like figure.

Looks like presidential material. :) And it's important to remember who his audience was...it was not necessarily those of us who follow issues and are already voting for him. It's undecideds and low-information voters.

[YvonneCa]

13. Yes. Many people had NO IDEA how strong...

...and knowledgeable Obama was on foreign policy. I don't think they know how intelligent he is, either...but they are slowly finding out.

He did a GREAT job in the debate. I especially liked the part where he stated a fact about McCain's policy and then said "And you were wrong" over and over. ;) Memories......

[ProSense]

22. Exactly,

Yes, memories. :)

[BumRushDaShow]

20. IMHO, the POTUS must have a "vision" of what he wishes for the world and our role in it

and Obama has such a vision. And with his background (having lived overseas) and having the right foreign policy advisors in place, he can proceed to execute a plan for the future and position the U.S. in a positive light within that future.

In contrast, McLame is stuck on stupid, clinging to a policy of continued U.S. belligerency - in essence the juvenile defensive posture of "it's us ("U.S.") against the world". And it's obvious that this path leads to continued instability and loss of overall respect. I.e., the world is forced to respect our military might but disdains everything else about us.

It would be a pleasure to have the world once again respect our military might AND our intellectual might AND our multicultural might.

[TwilightGardener]

21. I have always seen foreign policy as one of his strengths, so it's nice

to see voters being pleasantly surprised at how well he did with it.

[ProSense]

23. Obama is running a great campaign

Anyone who believes he is where is by accident is kidding themselves.