Political Blog #2~

Mark Halperin wrote an article called “Grading the First Presidential Debate” for Time.com. The article was written immediately following Friday’s debate between Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. Halperin discusses each individual candidate’s performance and gives both of them a grade. Being that Mark Halperin is “slightly right of center,” I commend his ability to accurately relate the events while remaining neutral.

Halperin discusses John McCain’s inability to show how much he knows about the world (Halperin, p.1). His arguments were all over the place and filled with too many anecdotes. It was painfully obvious that he was nervous and quite possibly unprepared. Halperin says “McCain wavered between respectful and domineering, and ended up awkward and edgy.” Listening to the same sentences repeated over never won anybody a debate. Overall Halperin gives McCain a B- which might even be a little too generous.

In his discussion of Barack Obama he compliments his polished, confident, and fully prepared attitude (Halperin, 2). However he also mentions his failure to get down to the specifics on policy positions. His multiple references to McCain being another Bush were his primary line of attack (Haperin, 2). Although Halperin makes a point to note Obama’s over-prepared often planned responses were a bit obvious. Overall Halperin gives Obama an A- saying, “Standing comfortable on the star with his rival, he showed he belonged."

Personally I was not overly impressed by either candidate. Right from the beginning we were aware of their refusal to debate one another. Both candidates failed to address the current economic crisis in our country today. Their answered were generic and maybe even too rehearsed. When asked about the implications of the bailout plan, and how they planned to compensate for the $700 billion cost, neither candidate had a solution. These issues are currently the most important we are facing as a nation. However, It appeared as though the candidates feared alienation of voters if they took any stance on the subject.

Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, “We are closely monitoring the vote schedule, Senator Obama has always said that when the vote is close and his vote is needed he will be there” (Brown Parnes, 1). This man plans on being President of the United States of America and will only vote if the “vote is close?” I can’t think of a better time then NOW for his vote to be “needed.” McCain’s campaign manager Rick Davis said their candidate, “retains his rights to evaluate it as it goes along and make a final decision” (Brown Parnes, 1). These men are far too concerned with themselves and being elected to get involved. They fear showing their cards to the American people and taking a stance on the issue!

We are supposed to vote for the best candidate, and they won’t even tell us where they stand on the most important issue in our country today? Corey Flintoff said, “Both men agreed that Congress needs to take action, but neither committed to supporting specific parts of the plan.” Jim Lehrer the moderator for the debate was even forced to reward and ask the question twice. Neither candidate wants to take a stance on the economy which leaves me unimpressed. Yes, Barack Obama was eloquent, prepared and a great speaker. And John McCain was a fumbling mess. So what I say. I don’t care who looks nicer, or talks smoother. What I want to know is what these men stand for; and specifics on how it will be accomplished. I’m hoping I won’t be as disappointed in the next debates as I was in the first.

Brown, Carrie and Parnes, Amie. "McCain Obama may skip bailout vote." Politico.com. Capital News Company LLC. 28 Sept. 2008. Web. 30 Sept. 2008. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/14047.html

Flintoff, Corey. "Obama, McCain Face Off Over Spending And War." NPR.org. NPR. 27 Sept. 2008. Web. 1 Oct. 2008. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95128815

Halperin, Mark. "Grading the First Presidential Debat." Time.com. Time Inc. 26 Sept. 2008. Web. 30 Sept. 2008. http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1845106,00.html