Debate performance has a marginal importance in the primary season. Few Americans paid much attention and even us political junkies grew tired of them. But debate performance in the Fall, during the general election, is crucial. They define elections, are watched by many Americans, and receive much review and scrutiny. My candidate is always better than my own expectations of him, and I regard Obama as a strong debater regardless of what some pundits say, but I think that we cannot be too cautious on this one. You can "win" debates and lose voters. Although these comparisons are always flawed, Bill Clinton's political fortunes looked more favorably after his debate performances against Bob Dole and Bush Sr. Al Gore and John Kerry "won" their debates against Bush, but lost the likability contest.
One of Obama's greatest advantages is that, for a liberal Democrat, he comes across in Middle America as a very, very likable individual. John McCain's message is not popular, his policy positions are very weak, he cannot read a teleprompter, and he did not do that well during the Republican debates this primary, but he is a likable person. Common folks genuinely like him, the media loves him, and everyone finds his jokes very damn funny. So you know that Obama must tread carefully on this one.
Obama will have a veritable army of professionals coaching him for this occasion, and very experienced politicians among his advisers. But in my short time in DailyKos I have read very insightful comments, and I have a high esteem for this community's collective IQ. I know that the Obama campaign looks up DailyKos from time to time to take the pulse of engaged progressives, so maybe we could start talking here about what we detect as Obama's weakest answers.
Personally, I think Obama is more than ready to debate the big issues: the war, the economy, role of government and taxation, health care, and education. He appeals to independents when he speaks of transcending race, religion, or partisanship and speaks of one America. And he could speak more compellingly about climate change. But we've seen this country get bogged down on the silly culture wars when the bigger issues where at stake. Allow me the arrogance to say that Obama needs tighter and stronger talking points on abortion, and gay rights, and he needs to elevate the discussion about patriotism like he did about race.
I want your suggestions. There are many better ways to talk about his pro-choice stance than talking about his own daughters being punished with a baby (to me, the mistake was not the word "punished" but that he made it personal about his daughters, disallowing the usual triangulation that pro-choice Democrats generally employ). There are far better answers than the one he gave to that student on same-sex marriage yesterday. And finally, the battle for independents will not be won over gay or straight, life or choice, but over patriotism and national security. I have a few ideas of my own, but I'd like to hear from you first. Suggestions?