Those who think Obama should have been tougher

[Generic Other]

might keep in mind that this would be falling for the GOP strategy where McCain hopes to bait Obama into looking and sounding angry because he counts on everyone being afraid of the most liberal ANGRY African American senator. Obama is held to higher standards than the trigger happy McCain. Yet McCain can sound like a psychotic drunken uncle and everyone calls him a maverick.

Don't fall for this sleight of hand analysis the media will shove down our throats.

Keep your eye on the prize.

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. Obama did fine.

[McCCain4retirment]

Obama

should at least called him out in some of McCain lies

[BunkerHill24]

6. I agree..repeating again and again "John is Right" was just awful

[Peregrine Took]

18. I am so disgusted I wont' watch anymore debates with Obama. I just can't

stand to see him as McCain's doormat.

[Generic Other]

30. A rational man acknowledges his opponent's points befor refuting them

He argued like an educated man would argue. Rationally and reasonably.

[BunkerHill24]

40. That is ok logic, but in debates you always distance

yourself from your opponent and not appear to always agree with him. I thought repeating "John is Right" seemed bit excessive, imo.

[dcambron]

50. It struck the right tone for undecided voters-check the polls

Those are the ones who will decide this election.

[BunkerHill24]

53. I'm happy undecided voters can see through the smokescreen

One down two to go.

[obamachangetheworld]

55. McLame lies...

'nuff said.

[Generic Other]

3. He sounded presidential to me

:)

[silverojo]

17. Obama was lousy

He let McCain attack his intelligence over and over, without one word of protest...he kept saying that McCain was "right" about every issue (WTF?!?)...then he didn't have enough class to mention that Ted Kennedy is back in the hospital.

I thought Obama would mop the floor with McSame. He didn't even dip the old bastard's head into the bucket of water. :(

[Jade Fox]

2. I agree. nt

[Generic Other]

5. McCain was very disrespectful

He never once looked at Obama. That was shameful in my opinion.

[shanti]

51. very shameful

and very obvious. he wouldn't even acknowledge him by looking him in the eye.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

4. Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you can hold any kind of opinion, and defend it STRONGLY

Defending something STRONGLY does not mean you're Republican. Defending something STRONGLY means you believe in it STRONGLY.

I'm not the type of person that believes that being sweet gets you points when it's a fight to the death.

[Generic Other]

11. I'm talking about racism in America

and who was being judged by different standards.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

21. True, true nt

[barbtries]

7. ok i'm one of them

i pretty much wanted obama to bait mccain into a meltdown. i've heard he has a short fuse. and whatever with the media, no matter WHAT they're gonna spin it for mccain, so knowing that in my opinion barack could have and should have dispensed with any and all "we agree" "john is right" etc. i will keep my eyes on the prize no doubt about that - but i dream of seeing obama really just wipe the floor with mccain. as it was i sat here at my computer literally yelling at it. of course obama stayed cool and composed and that's a good thing, because the president needs to be able to do that. but within that context he still could have hit harder. i believe.

[Anexio]

8. I disagree

I think Obama has the intelligence to have done better. Basically he held his own but there were no knockouts and no serious soundbites that will be replayed tomorrow.

Expectations where high for our man, personally I think he could have done better. I've seen his charisma personally and he's more than what he showed tonight.

IMHO

[Pedalman]

19. I disagree too

Particularly after this week, Obama should I have clobbered McCain and he didn't. I just saw him in my hometown and you are right he is more than he showed tonight, and he needs to show every time.

Bill

[Anexio]

27. Dunedin, Florida?

Is that where you are?

If so I couldnt get up there this week. I heard it was quite the rally.

[Pedalman]

39. Not Florida, Colorado

Not Florida, Grand Junction Colorado.

[FreakinDJ]

9. It was a "Meet and Greet" for the undicided voters

Yes I thought Obama could have been a bit more shrewd and tied it together better which would knock it out of the park for Obama.

But he did what was politicaly adventagous to his campaign

[malaise]

10. Remember this was supposed to be McPOW's strong debate

Obama whipped him on the economy and held his own re foreign policy. The polls will show Obama winning this overall.

Those of us who study content will realize McPOW was the same old warmonger. Obama had the chance to really KO him on the economy, but he did well.

[Aristus]

46. I agree. This was supposed to be the debate showcasing McCain's alleged "strength".

Foreign policy. McCain bombed in that respect. If Obama could have done better, maybe he's saving it for the remaining debates. It should have been a knockout punch for McCain. Instead, he dithered and fumbled and grinned inappropriately. Obama will rock in the areas in which he is demonstrably stronger. And those are everything else...

[madrchsod]

12. it would be called elderly abuse......

[BuelahWitch]

47. I agree with you

Obama was more patient and mature. Who do you want meeting other heads of state? Or in charge of the "nukular" football? Not some crackpot with a hot temper, that's for sure!

[vanlassie]

13. McCain repeating "he just doesn't understand..." did not sound good.

He sounded like everyone's asshole uncle.

[silverojo]

35. Didn't sound good for OBAMA

Especially when Obama kept neglecting to address this directly, by saying something along the lines of, "If I'm as stupid as you claim, Lord knows how I got through (list all academic credits here) without you, John."

That would've shut the old fucker up, AND made for a soundbyte to remember.

[LatteLibertine]

14. Obama won

IMO McCain looked weak because he would not look at or speak directly to Senator Obama. By contrast, Senator Obama did this often to McCain.

I think Obama seemed more measured, reasonable and intelligent. McCain seemed timid and rehearsed. McCain should have had an interview with the moderator. It seemed like they were talking to one another over dinner. He was hardly in a debate.

[Swamp Rat]

15. Obama won

This was supposed to be McCain's night (subject: national defense), but Obama did too well for him to claim victory.

On the economy, Obama thrashed McCain.

The Spain comment nailed McCain. :D

[Generic Other]

Yes he won but the media will paint it as a loss

they already are. I am just saying they hold Obama to a higher standard. He kept his cool under fire from the old fart.

[Swamp Rat]

26. Biden is nailing McCain on CNN

... and Pat Buchanan is an ass. :D

[These Eyes]

43. Just want to say I like your artwork. Great job!

[Swamp Rat]

52. Thanks

Welcome to DU! :hi:



:D

[Lex]

16. The focus group on CNN, esp. the Independents, did not like McCain's bullying

and condescension. Per cnn

[AlCzervik]

20. tweets and andrea said the same thing, Grumpy and obama looked predidential.

[vanlassie]

22. McCain only looked OK because every one expected him to do worse.

[riley3]

23. Those who thin Obama should have been tougher

I want to see Obama slam him on his lies.  Never say the old
goat is right about anything.  Not everyone can recognize
class when they see it, and I think Obama needs to show us he
can fight evil here and elsewhere.  

[Naturyl]

24. He still should have been tougher.

"Reasonable and rational" doesn't play in Middle America. What part of that do we STILL not get?

Middle Americans want emotion, button-pushing, unconscious cues, jingoism, etc. While we can't give them much of that, we can at least turn around and hit back when we've just been gut-punched.

[Generic Other]

28. reason and rationality also don't mix with race in this country

Obama sounded presidential. Not ANGRY which would give Faux and Limbaugh fits of glee as they played the race card over and over.

[BunkerHill24]

29. True...there was fire/anergy missing on Obama's debate tonight

hopefully he will learn form it and blast distortions McSame on the next debate.

[Jester Messiah]

25. I thought Obama took too much of the old man's shit.

Especially at the end, where McCain directly attacked him. Obama just let it slide. I was displeased, to say the least. Here's hoping Obama is more assertive next time around!

[Generic Other]

34. We have all been enduring that freeper like shit John McCain served

He lied through his yellow teeth! He treated Obama with disrespect and he insulted my intelligence at the same time. He accused Obama of being like Bush!! Obama looked presidential. Like a real leader. McCain looked moronic.

[Mind_your_head]

31. Well, the *mix* of McCain accusingly saying "he doesn't understand"

to Obama's "John is right" - is NOT a good *mix* for Obama in this 10-second, sound-bit, people-half-paying-attention world.

[ColbertWatcher]

33. The old man did have a few good sound bites, however ...

... they are all old rehashed, standard GOP talking points: cut spending, liberal senator! earmarks bad, I love veterans, the surge is working, etc.

[BreweryYardRat]

32. There were a couple parts where Obama could have been tougher...

...but I think he did pretty well overall. You make a good point about how Obama has to remain calm or let the talking heads start spouting racist blather.

What pisses me off is Lehrer letting McCain talk over Obama -- that's bullshit. Slobbering Republicans do that all the time and I'm sick of it. Obama should have yelled into the mike if he had to.

[Caliman73]

36. I have to admit

That for the first few minutes I was wanting Obama to tear him a new one, but when I calmed down I realized that intelligent people like Obama do not need to resort to yelling to get their point across. McCain was using the same slimy Republican strategy a la Hannity.

[Supply Side Jesus]

37. When people vote...

They will remember the last act....
Save the smack down, for the last debate. Then fucking crush him.

On Edit: 1,000 Post...ya for me!!

[Mind_your_head]

38. Congratulations on 1000 SSJ!!!!

:woohoo:

:toast:

[coalition_unwilling]

41. Every time McBush said "You don't understand," I

kept expecting him to add "Boy." McBush came across as patronizing and condescending.

[rucky]

42. You're right. But I still wanted to see him tear McCain apart.

I wants to see me some angry black man!

[Mind_your_head]

45. No you don't ! That would be JUST THE THING that the racists

in America would pounce upon.

Obama has a very delicate, thin line to tread in this regard - to be strong, resolute, standing up for his principles, correcting the mistatements/misdirections that McSame spews out, HAMMERING home to the viewers/listeners the positions of McSame that aren't in step with main street America, etc. - without being/or appearing to be the 'angry black man'.

Very difficult task that must be handled gingerly/wisely. Obama is DEFINITELY up to the task, though. He's doing just fine.

[rucky]

48. It would purely be for personal satisfaction. n/t

[Generic Other]

49. Exactly

This is an impossible standard he is held to--but his calm demeanor inspired confidence and will ultimately win votes.

I trust him. I fear McCain.

[arthritisR_US]

44. put it as it would have been characterized..the angry black man. I thought

Obama was impressive and McLame to think that every war fought should be won was a joke, among too many other things that he said.

[obamachangetheworld]

54. I used to like McB*sh

With his voice against torture, but watching him run his filth ridden campaign has really put a foul taste in my mouth. His constant attempts to belittle Obama with his lies has only hardened my dislike of this once honorable man.