With the public and pundit opinions in -- at worst it was a 'wash,' at best Obama came across as highly likable AND competent.
The most important judge has yet to weigh in -- the spoof writers for Saturday Night Live!
I remember the Will Ferrell vs. Darrell Hammond much more than the actual Bush vs. Gore debates. Frat boy "strategery" vs. boring sigh-mister "lockbox."
What are some of the possible comedic-inspiring highlights from last night? Let's review:
- the pre-game McCain Reindeer Games.
I'm "suspending" my campaign - by meeting with Ms. Rothchild and ditching Letterman for Katie Couric. I have to go to Washington to save the economy. oh wait, I guess not. Oh well, might as well debate.
- Grumpy Old Hot Head vs. The Overly Agreeable Yes Man
John McCain who was either so full of distain or too tightly wound to even look at his opponent vs. (what the R's have been using as their talking points) "John was right," "I agree with John," etc.
Mispronouncing or misnaming world leaders, old pens, general hot-headed hostility.
With Jim Lehrer falling asleep.
- Waziristan.
Ok, so it might be one of the most troubling and dangerous places in the world today, but it's funny to say. And McCain said it at least twice.
- Foreign policy by passport stamp.
McCain kept telling us where he's been. Like he was trying to one-up your travel stories at a dinner party. But what's more troubling is how he really seems to think that going to a location means you understand the ins and outs of the country and its context for international affairs.
And if you think about it, if Palin's only been out of the country once, what does this say about their ticket's international policy prowess.
McCain: "I've been to Waziristan." Palin: "Nope, never been there, but if I stand on my tip-toes I can see it from my house. And I refeuled in Ireland, so bring on the IRA!"
- No one ever voted me Miss Congeniality.
"John, I know Sandra Bullock. Sandra Bullock was a friend of mine. And John, you're right, you're are no Sandra Bullock."
Hey wasn't Sarah Palin actually voted Miss Congeniality?
So, good ol' Senator McCain was trying to make the point he was unlikable (ok, unpopular) at the same time he was saying he was the best candidate for reaching across aisles and building compromises and consensus? Double speak makes for good comedy.
- Dueling bracelets.
You've got a bracelet? I've got a bracelet. A BIGGER bracelet. A BIGGER SHINIER bracelet. Let the Bruno-Carrie Anne bracelet wars begin!
- League of Democracies.
The Open Thread last night had a blast with this one. So, it didn't do gangbusters at the box office - but enough people had to have seen the League of Extraordinary Gentleman or read the comics to see the funny value here. With Sean Connery. He's always been one of the best characters for comics to play.
Hey, wait a minute, isn't McSame old enough to should remember Wilson's League of Nations...
- the CNN focus group monitor
If those things got in the wrong hands... it could be a lot of fun! Think old school Atari
- The pundits.
Tweety vs. Fembots vs. Wolf -- 'nough said.
- The economic bailout.
No, wait, that's not funny.
So those are some potential highlights... what am I missing?