CBS, CNN, and even a Fox focus group showed a resounding Obama victory. Pundits and Kos can speculate and parse all they want about how each candidate responded to the questions and showed their erudite foreign policy knowledge, and stayed on message .... but that means nothing.
More below the fold:
Al Gore and John Kerry creamed George Bush in every debate when it came to intelligence, knowledge, and ability to articulate complex policy points and still lost.
It didn't really matter who could pronounce or even spell Ahmenijab and who had the best approach with Russia and Georgia. It didn't even matter that Barack was right about Iraq and that McCain is buddies with Saakashvili.
Nope, the reason Barack won and why I expect the tracking polls that reflect the outcome of this debate will show a significant bounce for Barack is that he was soooooooooooooo much more likable. While McCain smirked and sneered and laughed inappropriately on a regular basis, all the while never deigning to look at Barack, Barack showed his typical grace and politeness.
There were so many outrageous statements coming out of McCain's mouth and never once did Barack take the bait and act petulant, put upon, or like he had fire ants crawling up his pants leg. As opposed to Grampy McSame.
In my belief, voting for the guy who is the smiliest, less arrogant or l ill tempered is not the best way to choose the leader of our nation, but like it or not, that is how our crazy, ignorant, and sometimes lovable electorate goes about their business every four years. The results have certainly been disastrous for the world, but for once I am very happy to be on the side of the guy who any non-racist, non-wealthy/non-greedy, non cool aid drinking Christian, would much rather invite into their living rooms for four or eight years.
Everyone knew Al Gore and John Kerry were Einsteins compared to GW Bush. Yet, Bush won (well at least one of those elections). It's irrational, but after being a delegate at the DNC and hearing Al Gore speak I could see why people who don't care passionately about global warming and the other issues would think, "Do I want to hear that guy lecture for four years?" And thus Americans consistently vote against their own economic and social interests.
This time we have the guy who is not only way more intelligent, has much better values, tells the truth one hundred times more often, but also doesn't make us want to vomit when you see or hear him. Not so the Cryptkeeper as I like to refer to Mr. McCain. His debate performance was technically sound, he rattled off a whole bunch of difficult sounding names of foreign leaders and obscure geographic locations only slipping on Ahmenijab's name. But he did it all in a condescending, grim, snarky, and decidedly ungracious manner. Four years of that depressing voice and visage? The country will tell him ... "Thanks, but no thanks!"
Being Presidential
And the last point is that McCain started with the same theme as Hillary Clinton, namely, Barack just doesn't have enough experience. He is not Commander in Chief or Presidential material. Of course in recent days that theme has been under wraps as clearly Barack is the Old Man River of politics compared to the unaborted embryo that is Sarah Palin. So at the debate, McCain resurrected that tired old line about Barack's lack of understanding and experience. It just ain't gonna play well. Especially when Barack's command of the issues, body language, oratorical skill, and undeniable presence clearly says: this is a man who can and will be our next President.
And I for one am honored to be able to work, along with all of you, to help make that Obama presidency a reality.