1. Obama has the annoying habit of placing his left hand on a person's arm or
shoulder when he shakes his hand. That is very condescending and "space invasive." It's not a big deal and it won't turn an
Obama fan into a McCain fan, but it will subconsciously "not sit well" with some people. It's an "impression thing" that some
would find a turn-off.
2. No big blunders by Obama or McCain.
3. Obama probably annoyed many viewers by constantly referring to McCain as "John"
rather than "Senator McCain." That showed a serious lack of respect, if only on the basis of age deference.
4. Obama, as expected, stuttered and stammered a lot; I expected he would have
been worse. He clearly had memorized his talking points well.
5. McCain came off, in my opinion, as more genuine, learned, experienced, and
knowledgeable. Obama came off as someone whose knowledge of foreign policy came from reading Washington-insider
journals.
6. I thought Obama had no surprising "zingers" that caught McCain off guard.
7. McCain missed a few chances to be a bit stronger and defensive of his positions
and record. On the very first question, McCain should have reminded everyone that he co-sponsored a 2005 bill to rein in Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac but the Democrats blocked it; McCain failed to bring that up, but he certainly should have.
8. When Obama talked about taxing only those people who make more than $250,000,
McCain should have said that Obama will eliminate the Social Security cap of $97,000 - which will, of course, raise taxes
on everyone who earns more than $97,000. (Granted, income taxes are not the same as Social Security taxes, but a tax is still
a tax when you have to pay it.) McCain should also have mentioned Obama's $65 billion per year "anti-global poverty tax,"
which would go to the United Nations for its distribution. No viewers would like that.
9. For a man who is 72 years old, McCain seemed remarkably strong, alert, and
cogent, even more so than Reagan did at age 69 in his debates with Carter in 1980. That should ease the fears of those who
worry about McCain croaking two days after being sworn in.
10. While discussing Obama’s willingness to meet Iran’s
President without preconditions, I would have loved for McCain to have said something like this: “Senator Obama appears
willing to negotiate with Iran’s President, a man who has threatened
to wipe Israel off the face of the earth
and kill all Jews. How, Senator, do you compromise with a man like that? Would you agree to let Iran kill only half the Jews?”
11. Jim Lehrer was fine as the moderator and questioner. He could have been tougher
on both candidates, but at least he didn't seem to favor one over the other. But when Obama disputed the cost of his programs
(which McCain claimed would be in excess of $800 billion), Lehrer (or McCain) should have followed up with, "Well, Senator
Obama, exactly how much do your new programs add up to?"
12. Cindy McCain is better looking than Michelle Obama, who has an enormous butt...
and that will certainly cost Obama some votes.
Don Fredrick
September 26, 2008
Copyright 2008, Don Fredrick
