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the first sort of boring debate
Have you been longing for my post debate analysis? CNN tried to book me, but I told Wolf I had laundry to fold.
Yes, I did watch on Friday night.
Every minute of it, despite my inner boob tube demons that kept constantly urging me to watch Grey’s Anatomy on DVR instead.
I really didn’t feel like either candidate knocked it out of the auditorium. Obama certainly held his own on foreign policy. He did an excellent job of nailing home the point that we took our eye off Afghanistan and Bin Laden, the true villains of 9-11. Not Iraq.
But I thought McCain did a brilliant job of stressing his long history of experience without seeming like some old, disoriented man. His repeated comment to Obama, “What you don’t understand…” was very effective.
I’m not sure why McCain told us that the pen he was holding was really old. Maybe he was trying to look young and sprightly compared to his writing instrument.
And yeah, McCain stumbled over the name of Pakistan’s new president. But I seriously doubt most Americans can pronounce Asif Ali Zardari. And you know our current president doesn’t even realize there is a new president. So McCain is differentiating himself from Bush in that respect.
Of course, McCain also tripped over the name of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. But that seems kind of hard to say too.
I watched the debate with my mom, who’s in town for the weekend from North Carolina. She thought they both did a decent job discussing foreign policy. As for their appearance and behavior (you know, what REALLY counts)…
McCain: Good looking, although she thought he was rude with his repeated smirks.
Obama: Looked stately, more presidential. But he could put on a couple pounds.
I’m sure the french fries, pizza and milkshakes have already been ordered for Obama’s second debate prep. You know, to help him bulk up.
Of course, the real juicy debate will be next week between the man who has a penchant for saying some unpredictable things and the woman who has been passionate about foreign policy for a whole 3 weeks.
Grey’s Anatomy won’t even be a temptation.
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I can’t wait to hear what comes out of Biden’s mouth…it’s hard not to cringe a bit when he is speaking. As for Palin…well, since she has basically been off limits to EVERYONE since accepting the nomination…I’m curious to hear what she has learned in the past three weeks.
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I thought your post made an effort to be fair.
Anyway, I invite you to check out my thoughts on the debate:
READ THEM HERE
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Totally with your mom, although I did think that McCain sounded a bit like a dottering old man going on and on about “back in the day.”
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not that i’ll have much time to watch tv or read papers while i’m there, but the pre-election atmosphere is going to be very exciting!!!
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I thought the “what you don’t understand” was annoying and sounded defensive … but then again, I am nothing if not partisan.
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Do you think it’s a bad sign that when I read that “McCain stumbled over the name”, I immediately pictured him clicking a little Stumble It! button?
I thought the same thing about McCain’s pen. It looked like a Sharpie to me.
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I don’t know if I can bear to watch. She makes me sick, the way she talks. Really.
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I felt like Obama did a great job, and then got bummed by the pundits, who said “we still don’t know him,” or “he didn’t knock me out of the park.” What kind of standards do we subject these people to? He did a great job outlining his plans, and beliefs, and yet … I was so grateful that he mentioned weapons of mass destruction–remember that?
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hats off to kelcey who can write a post without ripping apart the other team, what talent that takes.
i think mccain was much more on the offense and came across more comfortable and personable. obama seemed to be reading from a script, very groomed and sort of boring to listen to.
just my opinion. i am totally stoked to listen on thursday night… has anyone let biden know there was no tv in 1929 and who our president was then?
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there is no Grey’s Anatomy next week due to the debate. If we’re lucky Tina Fey will play Sarah P. She was hilarious on SNL tonight!!!!!!
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Very good, unbiased review, my friend. I, too, am really looking forward to the next debate…
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Great recap. I agree pretty much. I thought they were pretty evenly matched. And I’m still deciding which way to cast my vote. I’m waiting to the VP debate to decide for sure. I might just have to make history and vote for the other team for the first time in my life!
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zzzzzzzzzzzz *snort* huh wha? is the debate over?
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Agreed- can\\\’t WAIT for the VEEP debate. Now THAT will be worth watching.
Loving the commentary, Kelcey!!
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Usually the Presidential debates are consigned to slots on the BBC News and occasional digital channels, but this time around it’s being broadcast live on one of the terrestrial channels… I think that says alot about the hopes of the rest of the world for this election.
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I agree with your Mom. All that smirking on John McCain’s part was a bit much. I previously thought as Republicans go, McCain is not that bad, but now, ick. (And don’t get me started on the VP thing). And I keep wondering if Obama needs better tailored suits. I’m always looking at the shoulders thinking “what’s wrong?”. I think they’re putting him in bigger suits to make him look bigger. Just a theory….
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I skipped the debate and watched a movie : Made w/ Honor (b/c I believe someone has to be lol)
Actually it was more of my head was spinning already w/ this dang cold/allergies and I couldn’t stand to listen to intelligent words, if they would have used any, so I skipped it. Kick my butt now (b/c I am)
Did you notice how many times Obama smirked and laughed at McCain? I did see that much of it after my movie was over. But I have no clue what was being said.
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I completely agree. It was hard not to watch Grey’s Anatomy on DVR. I was having the same issue.
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Iam Obama all the way, I just can’t see an old man, ready to drop dead and his 3 wk. intern ending up running our country???!!!!…………….
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I didnt see the debate. I dont even know what I was doing but your recap filled me in nicely. I laughed my way through reading this whole thing. My fav was the pen comment and I now wish I heard that! I may have to look up youtube just for that statement alone. Excellent job of breaking it down for us :-} cant wait to hear the next installment!!
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Palin is such a scarey possibility that I just cannot fathom how anyone could consider voting for McCain. Do we really want to “dumb down” our leaders to ‘people we most want to share a beer with’? We’ve had that for 8 years and the results are disasterous. I don’t ever want to have to refer to these past 8 years as ‘the good old days’. The debate will be irresistable, and I’m sure Palin is reading up on her WEEKLY READERS. Or should I say “weakly readers”. ?
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Good analysis but I would like to hear the biased version. Take the knives out..its ok.
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Great summary!
and I can not WAIT for Thursday night. Although mark my words, I think that “something terrible” is going to “come up” in her personal life which will take her off the ticket and Romney will step in. Yep! You heard it here first.
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Great post Kelc!
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OMG…forget the debate. Gray’s was sooooo good. McDreamy. McSteamy…and now we have MCdoctor GI Joe. That was HOTTTT!!! It really sucks that Thursday is my bowling night and I have no DVR, so its all about watching on my laptop as soon as they post it.
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I missed the debates because I actually got to go on a date with my husband and I forgot to hit record on the DVR. But, I figured I’d get to hear all about it…over and over… on the news.
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OK, first…I think Grey’s is off this week so it’s debate all the way (I think)
Second…I don’t think McCain lost, but I also don’t feel like Obama won. If that makes sense?
Third, have you watched Grey’s yet? Suckola:(
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If they’d show the candidates how they’ll age after 4-8 years in office; I doubt anyone would want to be President; except someone very old now. Bill Clinton was a salt & pepper hunk, getting B-Jobs under his desk when he started; and when he left it was major heart surgery/white hair and probably Viagra for breakfast.
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I’d been hoping for a little more excitement. I mean, if he could call his wife the c-word in front of reporters, couldn’t be muster a little somethin’-somethin’ for his opponent? I ended up caving and watching my DVR-ed Gray’s half way through… I’m hoping you’re right about the next one – I always crave a little blood…
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omg I totally forgot about Grey’s Anatomy!!! Thanks. There goes my free time.
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Thought they both did well, but I could not get over the fact that McCain would not look Obama in the eye and kept smirking like a condescending prick.
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