McCain underperforms against Obama

2008 Presidential Debate Round 2: McCain underperforms against Obama

Pre-pundits
Again, before listening to the pundits and writing this blog during the latter part of the debate, allow me to provide you with my instant analysis.

Short jabs not strong punches
With U.S. Sen. McCain behind three points, according to a recent CBS poll of registered voters, he needed to land strong punches, instead he employed short jabs against U.S. Sen. Barack Obama. Though many jabs hit their mark, the required heavy blows to break out of second place were missing.

Obama connected again
Obama aimed for the middle class and the independent and mostly connected. He reacted to McCain’s jabs and pushed back. His smooth style and broad strokes regarding issues continued; he stumbled only once when he started to answer about energy with “you know” and said “and” seven to eight times in about 15-20 seconds. He came back strong by standing by succinctly that health “is a right” saying that his mom during her dying days were arguing with insurance companies. If this mom story is true, then it is hard to argue against.

McCain's lost opportunity
McCain did not come back by saying, “Who is going to pay for this trillion dollar bill?” Obama also said that preconditions should not be considered by insurers. McCain did not ask “Who is going to pay for risky lifestyle choices and daily decisions leading to debilitating diseases costing healthy taxpayers hundreds of billions?”

The big issues resulted into many wordy answers and rebuttals. NBC moderator, Tom Brokaw, wanted a “yes” or “no” whether Russia under Vladimir Putin is an evil empire, neither candidate answered yes or no. McCain said maybe, explaining that yes or no would be taken wrong. Obama used more words, as he did throughout the debate, frustrating Brokaw.

No tought talk from the Straight Talker
The talk before the debate was about McCain bringing the issue of Obama’s radical associations with: former self-proclaimed pro-violence 1960s founder of the Weather Underground, now Univ. of Illinois at Chicago professor William Ayers; campaign fundraiser, Tony Rezko who was recently convicted of 16 counts of fraud and money laundering; and, self-professed anti-American former pastor and advisor, Reverend Jeremiah Wrght.

No tough talk, no win
Before the debate began, a McCain aid said that such straight and blunt talk would not happen. Such a decision to hold back and remain civil at this critical juncture of the presidential election process may have cost McCain to underperform in the debate, and perhaps in the election. McCain may gain a point or two from this debate with one more debate left. Obama will keep his lead with 27 days left. It is still his election to lose.