Last night's presidential debate in Hofstra had the same format unveiled for the first Obama-McCain matchup in Oxford, Mississippi on September 26. This format, which the debate organizers touted as a "historic breakthrough" features the standard moderator Q & A segment (where each candidate gives initial answers), followed by a "free-flow conversation/ discussion between the candidates." This latter element is the shiny new object that got CPD co-chairs Frank Fahrenkopf and Paul Kirk so keyed up, and after seeing it in action three times this debate cycle, we are now in position to reflect a bit on its dynamics.
As I collect my thoughts for this first impression of the 3rd and final presidential debate of 2008, I am invigorated. In many ways this was the closest we've come to an actual debate. It was intense, compelling, and should offer voters a clear choice between the candidates on the issues that matter the most to them. I haven't listened to the spin room or the punditry, so I have little idea what will actually play in the morning. However, if this was a "win or go home" moment for McCain, he didn't win. In fact, he lost and lost badly. When he needed to persuade us to vote for him, he left us with a feeling that we might not even like him.
Substantively, Obama evinced a seriousness of thought as well as a tenor and tone that should "seal the deal" for many undecided voters. As I said after the second debate, McCain appeared that night to be in the middle of a strategy shift. This debate offered further evidence that the fluctuations in strategy have taken their toll on candidate McCain. In this debate, more than any other, he seemed...surly and unlikable. He had one shining moment where we could feel a genuineness start to percolate when he looked at Obama and said, "I am not George Bush." Unfortunately, that moment of authentic emotion was lost in the haughtiness, condescension, and disagreeableness that followed.
The video is the context for "Joe the plumber," who was the off screen star/foil for tonight's debate.
Notes:
Obama took 6 minutes to really go into detail with Joe, and enacted his mantra of disagreeing without being disagreeable, being patient and asking Joe to be empathetic.
Ask yourself: was McCain fair and respectful to Joe by invoking him as he did to cover every generic GOP talking point?
The time spent in the give and take with Joe was more informative of the depth of the Obama policy than any 6 minutes of tonight's debate.
