Ann Richards debate with Clayton Williams proved that a person's manner does matter.

[tannybogus]

When Richards debated Clayton, he refused to shake her hand and treated her rudely. That did not sit well and became a major point discussed after the debates. People

didn't like it. While the 2 debates aren't exactly analogous, people did pick up on how a candidate acted and his body language. McCain's refusal to look at Obama and

his grouchy and condescending demeanor won't swing the entire election. However,it does matter. It is being commented on, and people will be clued in and watch him more

closely in the next debate.

[lynnertic]

1. But texas is different; (enough) people in texas care about manners.

PS: the people who are still going to vote for mccain are rude and obnoxious themselves, and so it behooves the candidate to act like his base: condescending and mean.

[opihimoimoi]

2. McGrumpy has LOST it....there will be a 2nd debate but only 765 will watch it

The 1st is THE DEBATE...

[tpsbmam]

3. This was a HUGE issue in the Nixon/Kennedy debates....

Kennedy looked cool, calm & collected. Nixon refused to wear makeup for TV (then) and looked like a ghost.....and he was sweating bullets.

I think lots of voters respond viscerally. Here's a kid's reaction to the Nixon/Kennedy debates: I was VERY young but grew up in a political family -- I most definitely knew "Democrat" & "Republican." My parents were Republicans (they later reformed) and so I thought that meant I was. We watched the debate as a family. After the debate I asked Mom if a Republican could vote for a Democrat (hey, I was VERY young). She said yes, why? My response was "because I want to vote for Mr. Kennedy -- Mr. Nixon looks mean."

I think lots of voters vote the way I would have when I was a kid!

[Captain Hilts]

5. Radio listeners thought Nixon 'won' the debate, TV viewers thought JFK did.

Folks, we're suckers for style.

Obama has it, McCain doesn't. It's that simple.

Thank Dog Obama's a good guy.

[rucky]

4. Great comparison.

Clayton Williams was a 98 Octane, supreme unleaded, West Texas Asshole

I still remember his ad: "If I catch a kid doin' drugs, I'll send him to a work camp and make him bust rocks."