The Debate (Live)

Both men start out a little nervous. The quivering in each voice is obvious.

Lehrer starts with the Eisenhower "Security & Solvency" quote. Obama starts, talking about the need for help average Americans. The "McCain = Bush" meme is launched right out of the gate. he defines economic well-being as "fairness", especially for the middle-class. McCain starts classy with the thoughts for Ted Kennedy. Also, good language on bi-partisanship.

Do the candidates favour the bail-out plan? Obama won't answer directly, but simply lays claim to prophetic visions of the financial mess (Then why didn't he propose any corrective legislation?) McCain gives tepid support for the plan, but focuses on the need for accountability (nice touch with the Eisenhower reference). The two men clearly don't like each other.

On the fundamental differences between them. McCain emphasizes his opposition to earmarks, and cites Obama's profligate use of them. (A tactic to get under Obama's skin? The Illinois senator does not react well to being questioned by mere mortals.) Obama dismisses earmarks as a paltry sum. Instead, he sees McCain's support for tax cuts as the real problem. He will cut taxes for 95% of Americans, yet magically pay for myriad new programs.

(Surprisingly, McCain seems to be dictating the pace of the debate.)

McCain gives a great example on the effect of corporate tax rates on job creation in the US versus Ireland comparison, but he doesn't stock with it.

What programs would the candidates be willing to curtail to pay of the bail-out? Neither man really answers. Obama uses it as an invitation to list his pet programs (universal healthcare, education, etc.). McCain talks about shrinking or eliminating federal bureaucracies. His bit on cutting "cost plus" defense contracts was good.

On the lessons of the Iraq war, McCain does a nice job on the surge - he's hitting his stride. Obamam emphasizes his opposition to the Iraq war and cites this as evidence of his superior strategic understanding (although McCain schools him on the difference between strategy and tactics, which clearly annoys Obama). Obama is all about the costs of the Iraq war, and never the benefits. He's Oscar Wilde's cynic. Obama also claims that al-Qaeda is stronger than at any time since 2001. (No human being with an IQ above 35 believes that. Al-Qaeda is now just a video production company run by spelunkers.)

On Afghanistan, Obama repeats the canard that it's a distraction - ignoring that al-Qaeda's own communiques showed it to be their #1 priority. McCain argues that the lessons learned in the Iraq war (i.e. the surge) will be applied to Afghanistan, then goes after Obama on hitting Pakistan. Obama's defense of his position is good, and he (again) contrasts 21st century thinking verses 20th century (a jab at McCain's age).

Speaking on the Iranian threat, McCain notes the threat of a 2nd Holocaust (in a pitch for Jewish votes). More importantly, he cites the threat of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. The UN is useless, as countries like Russia undermine US efforts. He speaks of Iranian meddling in Iraq, but makes a mistake, saying "the Iranian Republican Guard". (I cringe. Then, a miracle! Obama makes the same mistake!!) Obama blames Iranian resurgence on our overthrow of Saddam Hussein. McCain could nail him on that, but misses the opportunity. He does, however, score some laughs by mocking Obama's verbal responsive to the Iranian president's threats against Israel.

Russian aggression : I missed this one. Sorry.

Lehrer asks about the risk of another 9/11. McCain says it's much less, but there is work to be done, especially in improving US intelligence capabilities. Obama reluctantly concedes that we are "somewhat safer". He stresses the need to get bin-Laden and, borrowing Bill Clinton's line from his DNC speech, says that we must improve US image abroad (a good point). Obama describes Iraq as a distraction, but McCain rightly notes that victory in Iraq will color all of our actions in the eyes of the world. To lose there would be catastrophic.

CONCLUSION: No one landed any killing blows, nor were there any memorable lines. Still, I have to give it to McCain. Both men started out nervous, but McCain soon hit his stride after the bail-out questions. More importantly, he clearly got under Obama's skin, though he did not land nearly as many punches as he could have. Yet, he came across as a stalwart and earnest man, firm in his conviction that service to his country was the highest (and most natural) calling. Obama, in contrast, seemed lawyerly, if not slippery. His answers seldom satisfied, and he was frequently petulant with unappealing facial gestures and body-language. However, I don't think that many minds were changed by this debate.

After reflecting over a cigarette in the light rain, I was reminded of U.S. Grant's Memoirs. After his elevation to supreme military command over the Union forces in early 1864, Grant had to extensively re-shuffle the command structure. Looking back, he noted that the best men never sought their own advancement or promotion, but merely did their duty and did it well. Tonight, I saw one young man, whose entire life had been dedicated to the pursuit of his own career advancement. The other man, in contrast, seemed to be the one who would do the best job if the American people saw fit to promote him.