I mostly agree with the other TMV posters about the debate. On substance it was mostly a draw, with each candidate showing strengths in different areas. If the debate had to go to somebody, it would be Obama because McCain’s tone suggested condescension, and that turns off a lot of Independents. Saying “you don’t understand” doesn’t mean Obama does not actually understand what he’s saying. It was much like the infamous sighing of Al Gore in 2000, which voters also found bothersome.
The one thing I want to add though is just how much better a debater Barack Obama is now compared to the primaries. If you watch his earlier debates you see a halting, professorial, and often stuttering candidate. In contrast was the smooth, professional and on-message Hillary Clinton. As time went on Obama got sharper and learned to look at the camera.
But it was not until tonight that voters got to see a man who learned so much from Hillary Clinton on debating. Obama looked right at the camera many times – especially early in the debate – and spoke forcefully on his own terms. He didn’t waste time actually answering Jim Lehrer’s questions – yes, debates are absurd this way in that you score better by sticking to your talking points and not getting trapped in the moderator’s queries – and instead drove every point home about the future vs. the past and judgment capability. He showed command of detail without falling into Senatorial jargon. And he eliminated the “umm, uhh, umms” that so often plague his impromptu engagements. As a college professor myself. I know that it takes lots of practice to eliminate those filler utterances.
I can only conclude that Barack Obama did as well as he did because of Hillary Clinton. By watching her and sparring with her through 21 debates, Barack Obama learned from the debating master. She made him tougher and more convincing. She made him Presidential.
As an Obama supporter, I say “Thank you Hillary!”