Comments on: The Great Debates of Obama and McCain http://themoderatevoice.com/19511/the-great-debates-of-obama-and-mccain/ An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents, with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, and right Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:07:11 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Mike_P http://themoderatevoice.com/19511/the-great-debates-of-obama-and-mccain/comment-page-1/#comment-143635 Mike_P Sun, 11 May 2008 06:36:48 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/2008-elections/19511/the-great-debates-of-obama-and-mccain/#comment-143635 I think many of us see the contrasts to be drawn in those debates as positive - younger, sharper Obama against the older, slower McCain. The policy wonk (Obama) against the guy who's a little vague on the talking points. The guy who while advocating continued committment to Iraq in the fight against AQI and their Iranian "supporters" still doesn't understand the difference between Sunni and Shia. Who believes the "death tax" on the wealthy is more onerous than the imposition of our national debt's "birth tax" on the rest of our children.<br><br>A lot of us think those are winning arguments, of course.<br><br>But then I think back to the 2000 election. Al Gore completely outclassed GW Bush. Over and over again, on just about every issue, and in every debate. To the point that Gore began to openly show (through his sighing on stage) his exasperation and disgust at having to "debate" the village idiot.<br><br>But those sighs were where Dubya's victory dwelled. And the more Obama speaks, the more ammunition the GOP has in the world of the politics of phony gotcha and manufactured outrage they've built victories on for a generation.<br><br>My advice to Democrats and Obama would be to be very careful when betting on "sure things." And make damn sure you understand the game that's being played. I think many of us see the contrasts to be drawn in those debates as positive – younger, sharper Obama against the older, slower McCain. The policy wonk (Obama) against the guy who's a little vague on the talking points. The guy who while advocating continued committment to Iraq in the fight against AQI and their Iranian “supporters” still doesn't understand the difference between Sunni and Shia. Who believes the “death tax” on the wealthy is more onerous than the imposition of our national debt's “birth tax” on the rest of our children.

A lot of us think those are winning arguments, of course.

But then I think back to the 2000 election. Al Gore completely outclassed GW Bush. Over and over again, on just about every issue, and in every debate. To the point that Gore began to openly show (through his sighing on stage) his exasperation and disgust at having to “debate” the village idiot.

But those sighs were where Dubya's victory dwelled. And the more Obama speaks, the more ammunition the GOP has in the world of the politics of phony gotcha and manufactured outrage they've built victories on for a generation.

My advice to Democrats and Obama would be to be very careful when betting on “sure things.” And make damn sure you understand the game that's being played.

]]> By: runasim http://themoderatevoice.com/19511/the-great-debates-of-obama-and-mccain/comment-page-1/#comment-143634 runasim Sun, 11 May 2008 04:13:24 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/2008-elections/19511/the-great-debates-of-obama-and-mccain/#comment-143634 This certainly has the potential for being a novel and great approach.<br><br>I have a nagging memory of McCains last exchanges with Romney. <br>Tthere was quite a bit of interrupting and talking over Ronney by McCain. At least, neither Clinton nor Obama has done that in their debates. <br><br>So much depends on the nomitors and enforcing the ground rules! This certainly has the potential for being a novel and great approach.

I have a nagging memory of McCains last exchanges with Romney.
Tthere was quite a bit of interrupting and talking over Ronney by McCain. At least, neither Clinton nor Obama has done that in their debates.

So much depends on the nomitors and enforcing the ground rules!

]]> By: superdestroyer http://themoderatevoice.com/19511/the-great-debates-of-obama-and-mccain/comment-page-1/#comment-143633 superdestroyer Sun, 11 May 2008 02:08:06 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/2008-elections/19511/the-great-debates-of-obama-and-mccain/#comment-143633 Of course Senator Obama is excited about debates with a Republican Candidate who is too lazy to read his briefing books, too stupid to understand them, and to incompetent to manage a staff into preparing him for the debate. Of course Senator Obama is excited about debates with a Republican Candidate who is too lazy to read his briefing books, too stupid to understand them, and to incompetent to manage a staff into preparing him for the debate.

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