Which Candidate is the Liberal?

Throughout modern political history, typically a single event or statement by one of the candidates can be attributed as the point in the campaign when "its over". For example, Nixon looking nervous and pale during the '60 debate, Reagan's joke during the second '84 debate about Modale's youth and inexperience, Dukakis in the tank in '88, Kerry's "voting for it before he voted against it". These events are replayed time and again in our memories and in the media.

For Conservatives, we may have witnessed "That Moment" in the 2008 campaign. Here's the quote from Tuesday night's debate:

"You know that home values of retirees continues to decline and people are no longer able to afford their mortgage payments. As President of the United States, I would order the Secretary of the Treasury to immediately buy up the bad home loan mortgages in America and renegotiate at the new value of those homes -- at the diminished value of those homes and let people be able to make those -- be able to make those payments and stay in their homes."

Of course, we would have expected such a statement from Sen. Obama, but sadly it was said by Sen. McCain. The water cooler chat the next day had supporters and Conservatives scratching their heads and asking, "What is McCain doing?" I understand in reading some of the post-debate reviews that the program he is proposing was not explained properly and it came across more socialist that it really is but the damage has been done.

Based on what they heard on Tuesday night, independents who were still undecided now feel as though there is not much difference between the two candidates when it comes to the voters' No. 1 issue -- the economy. If those independent voters perceive that both candidates are looking to get the government even involved in the economic mess, Sen. Obama stands to gain an overwhelming majority of their support based on the intangibles -- likability, presence, communication skills, etc. It also doesn't hurt that Sen. Obama is portrayed by the press as the greatest thing since George Washington...

Sen. McCain failed miserably on Tuesday night in explaining, in simple terms, how he will make America better. He does win, with ease, on foreign relations and national defense issues, but with the stock market dropping several hundred points each day, he needs to propose a solution that not only makes sense but separates him from Sen. Obama and Pres. Bush. His first attempt was a dud...

Initial Review to McCain/Obama Debate No. 1

Debate No. 1 in Mississippi is over and now all the talking heads on the networks are breaking down just about every word spoken.

Here is my initial review:

(1) Nothing took place during this debate that will end up being that significant "moment" when one of the campaigns pulls away.

(2) McCain was ineffective in going after Obama and the Democrats in the first 30 minutes when the questions related to the financial industry mess. Obama did MUCH better in "selling" himself to America on the economic issues. I personally do not believe most of what he said, but from an "impact" perspective, Obama came across as more effective on the economy.

(3) In the second half of the debate, McCain made Obama look like a high school debater in the second half of the debate when the questions dealt with foreign affairs and security.

(4) Related to the "intangibles", Obama seemed to have difficulties at certain times, especially on the foreign affairs questions, putting his thoughts together. His smirking at several of McCain responses also seemed immature for someone running for president.

(5) I will definitely be interested to see how Henry Kissinger responds to how his opinion on presidential negotiations with foreign leaders without preconditions was argued by the two candidates. This issue could be one to blow up in the next few days...

(6) McCain (fortunately) did not let Obama get him riled up. He also would have been better served to point out why Obama is inexperienced as opposed to just saying that he is.

All in all, I would score it 10-8 for McCain, but I was hoping for a larger McCain victory with the topics covered. We'll sit back and see how the polls shake out in the next few days.