(Community Matters) More subtle differences. But, this wasn’t as much about what they said as about how they said it. Barack conveyed energy, knowledge, commitment, confidence and specificity. McCain keeps saying, “I know how . . . ” He rarely found his voice. Hard to believe he’s up to the task.
Obama connected with America’s middle class on healthcare, the economy and national security. McCain did better talking about Afghanistan but didn’t connect so much anywhere else.
Game to Barack. McCain needed a game changer.
I believe independents will move to Barack after tonight, not just because of tonight but because of the cumulative confidence from last debate, this debate and their behavior inbetween debates.
9:29 Peggy: what don’t you know and how will you learn it? BO: the American dream. Resurecting it. Can’t do what we’ve been doing the last eight years. McCain: Americans hurting in a way never before. McCain, has spent his whole life serving this country. “I know what it’s like . . . ” ok, we do like when he talks about believing in the country. We just don’t believe he is up to the task any longer.
9:23 Russia evil? BO: good answer. McCain, too equivocal. Terry: support for Israel? Are Terry and the other bald guy in the green shirt lovers? Wow, wish they were. Both candidate agree we would not allow Israel to be threatened by Iran. Still, BO has the voice that gives voters more confidence.
9:18 Russia: McCain, we won’t have another cold war. BO, acknowledging the resurgence of Russia. Getting specific about who we’ve got to support. Obama has a voice here. Is expressing very specific observations and actions required. Energy too. Wins here again. BO +3
9:15 Afghanistan question from Tom: BO’s answer ok. McCain finds his voice here. All his confidence in General Patreaus. McCain +1
9:03 Obama & McCain doctrines: BO: no tolerance for genocide. McCain: his voice gains credibility here. Why doesn’t it on other issues? Katie: should the US respect Pakistan sovereignty? BO: Afghanistan. We took our eyes off the ball with Iraq. We can’t coddle a dictator. McCain is back on the “announcing attacking the country.” Barack, his follow up. That’s right. Who speaks responsibly. McCain keeps going back to “I know how to ….” Why does he think we believe this? He’s never proven that. BO told it str8 +3
Good gosh, are we going to bail out Pakistan now? I’m reading they are virtually bankrupt
8:57 Foreign policy: US as a peace maker? McCain claims BO doesn’t understand national security challenges. Wow, who forsaw the failure of Iraq? McCain expected Iraqis to welcome and embrace us as liberators. BO brings up McCain’s failure of leadership and vision. $10B/month. BO does well: pointing out where they agree: America as the greatest country in the world, with the greatest force for good.
Last debate our friend, a master special needs teacher, said McCain was using that voice adults use when lying to kids. There’s something going on tonight. I wonder if he’s contemptuous that he even has to run for this office against the upstart.
8:55 Healthcare a privilege, right or responsibility? McCain says a responsibility. Barack says it’s a right. I concur. I believe in a wealthy country, we have the right to provide healthcare, housing, food and education for our citizens. Not luxurious, but adequate. And, it’s more efficient to be proactive with healthcare then to rely on emergency room care. hmm, McCain voted against children’s health care? BO +1
8:47 How to fund research and development. Lindsey: health care coverage, should it be treated as a commodity? Barack understands the issue, the principles and the specifics. McCain on his fundamental difference – says Barack will impose mandates. fines. $5k tax credit but isn’t refuting the tax on benefits.
Independents are looking at both these guys and wondering who do I believe. I suspect they are going to be moved by who has the energy and passion for the job. Barack wins there handsdown. McCain comes across as detached and too old.
8:42 Ingrid Jackson, first two years for Congress moving on environmental issues and green jobs. McCain – alternative energy, nuclear energy. He knows the words. Isn’t able to communicate the passion or commitment. I suspect because these aren’t his passions. Barack: not just a challenge, it’s an opportunity. new jobs, economic growth. John McCain voted against alternate energy 23 times. BO +1
8:40 Good gosh, John McCain keeps referring to 30 years back. He could just as well say I was there when they signed the constitution. I know EXACTLY what it says!
8:33 Sharing the burden. He gets that it’s about fairness. McCain – he wastes time. There he goes lying about taxes on small business. The $5k tax credit for health insurance – didn’t address the tax on healthcare benefits. Entitlements: BO on social security & medicare. Clarifying McCain’s distortion of the Obama tax plan. And, he’s highlighting the tax cuts being proposed by McCain. BO +1
8:30 BO on below question: he’s not being specific. He doesn’t have his voice when he doesn’t. Ok, now talking about energy. Finding his voice. His call to conservation will excite America. We want a leader to tell us how to all pitch in. +1
8:27 Internet question about sacrifice: McCain: I do give McCain credit for Boeing boondogle detection. It’s not that he’s not saying the right thing. McCain just doesn’t seem energetic or as reliable. Would Palin become our president???? zero
8:25 Health care, energy and entitlement reform: McCain did okay. Perhaps naive to not prioritize. Voice tired and old. Barack, extraordinary strenght of conviction. Energy #1, healthcare #2, #3 is education to make young people more competitive. BO, good reminding re: spending and taxing
8:20 BO – again, rocks when he talks specifics answering Theresa’s questions about cynical. He’s authentic. McCain I may just be too biased. He’s not hitting a stride with me. His voice is tense and I don’t believe him. I don’t believe voters do either.
8:15 BO – helping ordinary Americans. McCain makes no traction when he says the same things. He doesn’t sound credible.
8:11 Bailout vs Rescue. McCain is putting voters to sleep right now. ok. BO is going to talk about McCain’s campaign manager receiving $2mm from Freddie/Fannie, about his transition manager $3mm from Fannie/Freddie. BO is addressing Oliver’s question first. BO played it more classy than I would have. Good call. He’s scoring confidence. BO +2
8:06 Barack scored with the specificity of his answers to the economic question. Worried me at the beginning by by blaming but ended up extraordinarily strong. McCain came out strong with specificity too (they both obviously rehearsed this topic) but I don’t think Americans liked his comments about renegotiating mortgages. McCain answering about treasury secretary: Warren Buffet (please, he’s supporting BO), Meg Whittman as Treasury secretary? are you joking? BO answering what he wants to say and is connecting with voters in the room and on tv. BO wins – +2
