I've watched Obama in many debates, and I've never seen him as focused as he was here. I was very impressed, and I think that John Q. Public will be as well - follow me below the break to find out why.
John McCain had one thing in mind when preparing for this debate, and that was to frame every issue that "Obama doesn't undertand (what is going on)". Because that was McCain's main goal, then Obama's main goal was - remember, John Q. Public thinks McCain is THE EXPERT on foreign policy - was to show that he did have a very clear grasp on the issues. Obama showed that in spades - so even though McCain said over and over that Obama didn't understand, the viewer knew, because it was clearly obvious, that Obama did understand.
The extra bonus from that is that it continued the frame that has been developing in John Q. Public's mind over that last few weeks - that John McCain lies. Because it was so evident that McCain was wrong - lying - about Obama's grasp on the issues (cause even if people didn't follow Obama's answers, it was evident to anyone that Obama knew what he was talking about). So, extra bonus points to Obama for that one as well...
The frame that Obama had to focus on with McCain was temperament. After the craziness of the last week, John Q. Public is beginning to wonder if McCain has the temperament to be president. McCain had two very clear times when he began to lose his temper. I felt uncomfortable viewing this. If he can't control himself in a nationally televised debate with Obama, then how could he control himself with an adversarial foreign leader?
Most people do not see John McCain the way that many of us do. Most people do not think that he is an incompetent goof, and didn't go into the debate thinking that he would act in that way.
John Q. Public sees McCain as a leader with experience. They are concerned that:
- He does not have the temperament to be president - he FAILED there. He would not look Obama in the eye - ever - and he got downright testy on a few occasions.
- He lies. Again, he failed. The most obvious was his repeated assurtion that Obama didn't understand - but, again, it was very obvious by the debate format and Obama's responses - that he definitely did understand.
- He is very much like Bush. He did not distinguish himself from Bush much at all, and Obama hammered them home.
- **Obama could make an absolutely killer ad on the consequences of freezing all spending except for defense...that one could be a great soundbite for a long time to come!!
Barack Obama is NOT John Kerry or Al Gore, he did not have the same goals that they did. Obama had to prove that he was presidential and that he understood the issues facing this country. His main goals were:
- To forcefully show that he had a vast knowledge of the issues - and would be ready on day 1 - he succeeded - no one came away from that debate thinking that Obama didn't know what he was talking about (*extra bonus that this debate was mainly on foreign policy which is perceived as Obama's weakness - this will gain him points there)
- To act presidential but still show that he was a fighter, he was calm and collected (a perfect contrast to McCain's temperament issues) and he definitely got feisty when pushed.
You guys make me question my vision and hearing, because so many of you seem so negative right now - but I really think you are wrong on this one. Remember, the perception game is what matters...
My take - Obama wins!