Presidential Debate #1 - Advantage Obama
Overall, I thought the debate was a draw without a clear winner. I believe that Barack Obama accomplished what he needed to do, he looked in control, sounded knowledgeable, and never lost his cool. He could have been less agreeable with McCain, but he proved that he can handle foreign policy without being flustered or caught flat-footed. Obama is a gentleman and it is just not his style to be nasty. I think the folks that claim that Obama doesn't have the knowledge and the experience to lead need to shut up about that now, he has clearly proved them wrong on that point.
John McCain's debate performance was combative, condescending, and confusing. He never once looked at Barack Obama and never engaged him as an equal. He always seemed to lead with a distortion of Obama's views or a flat-out lie. It was a very dishonest, disconcerting, disturbing, and extremely non-presidential performance.
The United States of America is currently reeling from the weight of its numerous issues and problems, we need our next president to be able to engage others with grace and respect, to work collaboratively and be willing to compromise. If elected, will John McCain talk to his cabinet, the Congress, and leaders of other nations in such a dismissive and nasty fashion? We need diplomacy in this country, not destruction of one's opponents.
McCain scared me tonight. His main message seems to be that he is going to fire everybody who doesn't do what he wants and he is going to fight with everyone who doesn't agree with him. I don't want people running my government who are in fear of being fired and I don't want to go to war with every nation in the world.
McCain's political views and leadership style is very dangerous. It's nice to be able to fight well, but it is equally important to be able to negotiate. John McCain has made clear he is only interested in doing the former and completely unwilling or unable to do the latter.