Shrum actually has a good comment (4.00 / 4)

If the question of the first debate was whether Obama would pass the threshold on national security (he did), the reality of this debate is that McCain didn't pass the threshold on the economy.

I think this is what you're saying too David.  I too think it is astonishing, except that McCain himseld told us that.

Shrum on second debate.

New Jersey politics at Blue Jersey.

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by: Hopeful in NJ @ Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 04:45:24 AM UTC

Grab a beer (4.00 / 5)

That whole concept is so ridiculous when thinking of picking a President.  But it's sort of true with Obama.  For a candidate, you want to grab a beer with him in the most Presidential sort of way.

Let's put it this way: your wife/husband just left you, which candidate in modern times would help you reason through all of the various things in life that you have to deal with best?  I can't imagine somebody better than Obama.  Empathetic, but level headed.  He knows when to talk sense, and when to just listen.  That's the sort of likable I want in a President.  Not one who will crack jokes with me, but one who would be like a real friend when I have a problem.

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by: Werty83 @ Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 05:01:18 AM UTC

Obama as communicator (4.00 / 5)

Obama shows signs of being the first US president since Carter who will attempt, sometimes, to explain to the people what the world they live in is like, ow it works I won't always agree with how he explains it, but I like that he seems to think that in some way his power derives from doing so.  

Can it happen here?

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by: janinsanfran @ Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 05:07:07 AM UTC

The Great Listener? (4.00 / 2)

I honestly think maybe that's the best name for him.

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by: Werty83 @ Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 05:14:13 AM UTC

Organizer-in-Chief (4.00 / 3)

I think that's what a TAP story called him a while back, and I think it's quite fitting. He not only listens, but seems able to inspire people to trust and follow their own instincts to do the right thing -- that's organizing I can believe in.  

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by: desertislander @ Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 06:30:43 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think what the debate showed tonight the valency of the media (4.00 / 3)

John McCain has lost his base....the media....

Barack Obama has kept them on his side on the journey from the primary to the general election.  They were on his side in the primary....all of them.  Some of them in the general have reverted to a "neutral" stance, while others, basically MSNBC have stayed overtly on his side.

I have always said Chris Matthews is a weathervane.....he tells you which way the media wind is blowing...but he also helps make it blow in that right direction.....when George Bush was "Mission Accomplished" no one oohed more....now he's on our side...pushing for Barack Obama.

Was Al Gore any less good in his first debate with Dubya?...No he was very good...The American public said he won...Until people like Chris Mattjews eviserated Al Gore and  told them they were fools to believe their own eyes and ears.

Barack Obama is likable ...enough....Indeed in this era Democrats in general exude empathy, concern and understanding of people's lives because that's what the Democratic party is about. Any generic Democrat today is more likable than any generic Republican.


"Incrementalism isn't a different path to the same place, it could be a different path to a different place"
Stoller

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by: debcoop @ Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 05:15:39 AM UTC

Good point about the Commerce Committee, David! (4.00 / 3)

Yes, I think this should be pointed out more often: McCain was the effing chariman of that Committee! Now, what did he learn during that time? Obviously nothing! Is this the stuff presidents are made of, when a Senator still hasn't even a basic handling on the topic after spending years as the leader of a group of lawmakers that were supposed to deal with it???

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by: Gray @ Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 06:11:19 AM UTC

No knockouts .... (0.00 / 0)

I think the Republican base will be demoralized ... no attack mentioning Rezko, no Ayers, no Rev. Wright ... whatever happened to "putting the gloves on"?

Obama did what was necessary ... he has probably attracted new Undecideds, and locked down any "soft" support that was there for him already.

Also, the debate will rule the media cycle for a day or so, and interrupt the stream of negative c**p emanating from the McCain-Palin ticket.

Obama should build on this positively, and leave out too much negativity .. he is now the front-runner, with a solid lead, keep building the momentum and the positive energy!

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by: tobyj @ Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 08:33:21 AM UTC

The not-so-deepest thought… (0.00 / 0)

...I have is that I can't believe McCain referred Obama as "that one." It was like he was talking about one of his kids!

Also, I think that exceeding the debate's silly time constraints actually worked in Obama's favor. His answers reinforced the fact that the pressures the country faces are "serious business"; they have complex rather than easy solutions. McCain answers remained "inside the box" because the GOP talking points are pretty much all he has. And yeah, after chairing the Commerce Committee, that's not terribly commendable.      

"This ain't for the underground. This here is for the sun." -Saul Williams

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by: tru blu @ Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 09:48:49 AM UTC

my thoughts (4.00 / 2)

1. When mccain was trying to call out obama for the whole pakistan issue, whether we'd go in there and/or whether we'd "broadcast it", he should have remembered his own vice presidential running mate doing the exact same thing....

oh, wait--in palin's case, it was a question from the audience, so that didn't count--right.  Waaaaiiiit.....who asked it this time?

2. i hope in the next debate when mccain starts running through the same talking points re: obama will raise taxes and obama will fine you if you need health care, obama just says "i answered this in the last 2 debates. if you havent heard it by now, go to youtube. Moving on..." because nobody likes mccain being a dick so being a dick back to him doesnt serve obama well.

i had some more but they've flittered away now.  

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by: useruseruser @ Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:42:26 PM UTC

When I hear McCain prattle on about Obama "broadcasting" his intentions (0.00 / 0)

toward Pakistan, and claim that "experienced leaders" don't announce their intention to invade or attack another country, I think back to the run-up to the invasion of Iraq.

Was I dreaming, or did I hear the Cowboy in Chief give Saddam Hussein 24 hrs to "get outta town"?  Wasn't the period just before that invasion pretty much all about informing Saddam that we were gonna "kick his ass"? Which part of Colin Powell schlepping around the UN, covering up his lies with military medals, did NOT let Saddam know that he was in Bush's sights?

Now, maybe I'm just making another argument that GWB has nothing in common with a "world leader" other than the title of his office, but I don't remember seeing Senator McCain put down his pom-poms and question those tactics at that time, rather he kept on leading the cheers and selling the war.


"It sounds wrong...
     ...but its right."

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by: SpitBall @ Wed Oct 08, 2008 at 12:58:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]