Saturday, September 27, 2008

My Debate Hangover

I must admit that I am more concerned with Opus's impending doom than the outcome of any phony debates. The non-debate format and Jim Lehrer's lackluster moderator-ship gall me no end. The debates that were held under the auspices of the League of Women voters were much better than these farces staged by the Democrats and Republicans. Watching the pundits debate the debate after the debate was more illuminating than the actual debate! The talking heads whined and postured at least as much as John McCain did. Pat Buchanan was very entertaining and Chris Matthews was firing saliva all over the set! History tells us that in the 1960 Nixon-Kennedy debate, Nixon won on substance but Kennedy looked more presidential (what with Nixon's sweat, beard and used-car-salesman persona). McCain solidified his McNasty persona by being grouchy, rude, and condescending and refusing to look at Obama but once after the handshake. Obama appeared calmer and cooler. Sometimes, ala 1960, substance does not indicate the winner. Sometimes perception rules.

I must say that McCain surprised me with his overall performance, presenting himself better than I had expected. Obama appeared to let McCain off the hook several times by not hammering him on his numerous lies and stupid comments. In fact, a review of the fact checking sites and CNN's post debate analysis revels that McCain misspoke and distorted data far more than Obama did.

I so wish that Obama had pressured McCain into explaining how "Bomb Bomb Iran" shows leadership, diplomacy and good judgment. One last thing: what was McCain up to by his news bulletin on Ted Kennedy being in the hospital? By debate time, it had been determined that Kennedy had a minor reaction to a change in medication and had gone home.

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