1st+Debate+Analysis

The first presidential debate was originally intended to focus on the candidates' views on foreign policy, but given the recent economic crisis, their views on that topic was also included. Sporting a maroon tie, Barack Obama opened the debate with a characteristic smile and appeal to the standard Americans – those living “on Main Street” – and their economic problems. The campaign coordinators undoubtedly planned the tie color: red, the color of energy and life, combined with brown, the color of power and strength. Subconsciously, psychologists say, people react to colors and feel others exude certain characteristics depending on the colors they wear. Whether that’s true or not, red most definitely attracts the eye – think of fire-trucks, stop signs, and advertisements – and, in the case of clothing, brings attention to its wearer. Before Senator Obama even opened his mouth on Friday night, his tie coordination already had him set to exude confidence, comfort, power, and strength – a perfect combination for a President. John McCain, on the other hand, adorned himself with a red and white striped tie, which, combined with his blue suit, formed the patriotic colors of the American flag. He was perhaps trying to subtly emphasize his history with serving the country, as in the Vietnam War, and regardless of whether or not these tactics actually work on the typical American debate-viewer, it is undoubtable that political campaigns all invest at least some energy in the choosing of such details, and as such the motives of each candidates can be partially observed. Initially, Senator Obama used the debate as speech making opportunity, instead of an actual debate. In response to the first question – “at this very moment tonight, where do you stand on the financial recovery plan?” – Senator Obama avoided making any specific remarks, and instead spoke about the need for economic recovery in general and the need to help those “on Main Street.” In other words, it was like a brief speech about the economy and an attempt to grab voters. (Frankly, though, Senator Obama //is// a presidential candidate, so of course he uses every opportunity to win votes.) Senator McCain also dodged the question. Once the debate began to really get under way, it proved to run in a very unexpected direction. Many think of economic issues as being Barack Obama’s strong point, but McCain in fact seemed to do very well in that part of the debate (which preceded foreign affairs). He appeared to be on the offensive, stating very aggressively that now is no time to be raising taxes on anyone, and remaining quite calm as Obama shot back his own opinions. He often smiled and grinned as Obama attempted to defend his reasoning and convince the American people that the vast majority of them would “not see a dime more in taxes.” However, McCain seemed to grow more subdued, almost tired, as the debate wore on, biting less effectively at Obama as his opponent gained momentum and an ability to appear leaderly and in control. So in turn, though McCain was unexpectedly strong in his performance in the economically centered portion of the night, he might have been described as surprisingly helpless during foreign policy. He began strong with his evaluation of the “lessons of Iraq,” and recalled his own time spent in the Vietnam War, saying that nothing is harder for a soldier to recover from than defeat. “We are winning,” McCain told the audience. He went on to refer repeatedly to General David Petraeus’ insistence upon the war’s continuation, and criticized Obama’s opposition to the surge which turned out to be very successful. Obama responded by accusing McCain of “acting like the war began in 2007, when it really began in 2003.” He listed off every thing that McCain had been wrong about before he finally got something right. The only time McCain acknowledged a mistaken decision was when he somewhat abandoned Afghanistan, thinking it under control. McCain then tapped into the emotional side of the nation when he brought up the mother of a dead soldier, who had asked McCain to wear her son’s bracelet and to not let his death be in vain. However, Obama countered with emotional poignance equaling McCain’s, declaring that no soldier ever dies in vain, and referring to another mourning parent who had pleaded to protect more mothers from her fate. Overall, Senator McCain spent most of the debate trying to prove he was the more experienced – and therefore would be a better president – while Senator Obama countered that judgment matters more than experience. This is especially evident in the quote from Obama below: And so John likes -- John, you like to pretend like the war started in 2007. You talk about the surge. The war started in 2003, and at the time when the war started, you said it was going to be quick and easy. You said we knew where the weapons of mass destruction were. You were wrong. You said that we were going to be greeted as liberators. You were wrong. You said that there was no history of violence between Shiite and Sunni. And you were wrong. And so my question is... ... of judgment, of whether or not -- of whether or not -- if the question is who is best-equipped as the next president to make good decisions about how we use our military, how we make sure that we are prepared and ready for the next conflict, then I think we can take a look at our judgment. Though some regarded John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate as a sign of departure from the “experience” appeal, in the first presidential debate that argument was central to his attacks against the much-younger Barack Obama. Early in the debate he made several jokes about his age, but soon after he repeatedly snubbed Obama as naïve and therefore would be “dangerous” as the president. Towards the end of the debate, McCain summed up his opinion of his opponent when he repeated his mantra, that Obama “doesn’t understand, just doesn’t get it.” When the debate reached issues concerning Iran, an issue was brought up that the public possibly had not heard much about, and it gave an opportunity for each candidate to argue for and distinguish their views, which they both held very strongly. Though both candidates seemed to agree initially (saying that a nuclear Iran must not be permitted), differences emerged when McCain criticized Obama, just as Hillary Clinton did, for proposing diplomacy with Iran without preconditions. Obama pointed out that one of McCain’s own advisors, Henry Kissinger, supported meeting Iranian leaders without preconditions; McCain replied that this was not true, and no conclusion was ever reached within the debate itself. Though normally people expect McCain to differentiate himself with the Bush administration, this was one point of the debate when Obama himself highlighted differences between the two, saying that even Bush does not require preconditions. When Senator McCain mentioned something that Senator Obama was expected, such as mentioning Obama’s lack of experience, Senator Obama pulled out his charismatic smile and occasionally shook his head in disagreement. Both candidates were very aware that potential voters were watching this and clearly wanted to present a good face. Both Obama and McCain also used the simple future tense – as in, “//when// I am President” or “as President, I //will//” – instead of even mentioning the possibility of not winning. Neither candidate seemed to win the debate: both put up a good performance, but neither particularly stood out. Those who were pro-Obama prior to the debate, probably continued to support him, just as though who were pro-McCain continued to support him – it’s the undecided voters both sides were obviously after. And those voters for the most part, still are up for grabs. (Quotes were pulled from: http://www.kansascity.com/445/story/816036-p4.html ) Following their coverage of the debate, NBC went to a story about a group of “undecided” voters who had watched the debate together; when they interviewed one member (who identified himself as leaning slightly towards Obama), he drew comparisons between that debate, and the debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, saying McCain looked old and tired next to Obama. Many considered the debate “a tie” – though both candidates seem to be purporting victories on their part, most voters failed to see either Obama or McCain come out on top or deal a knockout blow to the other. But some say that a double-standard was present in the debate, and that while a tie would be sufficient for Obama, McCain needed a clear cut victory in order to save himself. He needed to prove to the country that he alone could handle foreign affairs, that Obama would be inept – instead, the already slightly more popular Obama stood his ground, which in effect counts as a victory in his favor, some would say.