History, Perception And The First Debate

Posted on 09/27/2008 at 8:42 am by Bob Cesca

With such close proximity, I don’t think certain pundits are seeing the debate results very clearly yet. On one hand, I question whether I saw the same debate some of these people watched. Even some friendlies seem overly blah about the thing.

On the other hand, I think it’s symptomatic of post-debate reactions in recent years. History, and the perception of history, are a matter of accumulation over time. I think we’re hearing the word “tie” a lot because both concensus and clarity haven’t developed yet, so there’s a lot of hedging and searching. And, of course, some stalling.

Nevertheless, at this point, I’m trusting the gut reactions of the polls which are indicating a hands-down win for Senator Obama. This, I believe, will shape the historical perception of this first debate.

The viewers enumerated in these polls clearly watched the same debate you and I watched.

This was easily Senator Obama’s best debate performance. He was relaxed and collected. He tweaked Senator McCain on Spain and “Bomb Iran” without fear or hesitation. Most of all, he was smooth and fluid — we didn’t see any of the stammering we saw in the primary debates with Senator Clinton. This was a major milestone in Senator Obama’s transition from underdog freshman to powerful world leader. History will reflect that. And most remarkable of all, he won the foreign policy section on both points, style and expectations. A month ago, this test was practically a given in favor of McCain.

Meanwhile, Senator McCain, while scoring some History Channel points based on his connection to the military and war, performed as predicted. He was spastic, jittery and contemptuous. Overall, he was just plain uncomfortable. This is striking for such a drama queen who clearly craves the spotlight. Perhaps it’s small-man syndrome. Perhaps he’s intimidated by Senator Obama — a man who is far more gifted. Or maybe it’s all of that, with extra added contrast against Senator Obama’s polish and presidential temperament.

Simply put, I watched ‘President’ Obama debating a sneering, smirking old crank who might be qualified for a mid-level bureaucratic position at DOD, but not much else.

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  • J M Ashby

    If you had to ask me what I thought would stick with average uninformed people the most from last nights debate it would be that McCain did not look at Obama face to face the entire time.It was not just a subtle thing… McCain deliberately kept staring off into the crowd while spewing nonsense and lies.I think that will stick with people because it made him look like a coward and a prick. People dont like it when you wont look at someone when talking and especially when you’re lying and smirking about lying.

  • Hielo

    The final chapter. The “undecideds” are moving to Obama. The viewer poll results were predictable. Obama is simply smarter and smoother than McCasket and now this group knows it. I will not be surprised if the new national polls reflect the movement of the former “undecideds”.

  • Gretchen

    I feel Obama did a impressive show against an angry old man. McCain was so condescending towards Obama, he wouldn’t even look at him, it was pathetic.

  • NotAPollStat

    Morning Joe had a “special” Saturday edition, so they could hammer out the McCain talking points. The most important of which was that Obama just can’t connect with regular Americans, still. He’s just too damn professorial. I wish they would have shown the Convention audience to prove their point. Republican audience (the “real” Americans McCain connects with — most old women (their minority) old men in suits, and 36 African Americans. Democratic convention, including Obama acceptance speech — a conglomeration of all ages, colors, walks of life. All engaged, throughout the convention, cheering wildly for their candidate. How unfortunate for Obama that he can’t connect with the “real” Americans.

  • J M Ashby

    I can’t stand Morning Jackass

  • cminri

    During the debate I cringed every time Obama said McCain was right on an issue or whenever McCain chastised Obama for “not understanding” an issue. But maybe these things did more to demonstrate the true character of each of the candidates. Obama was able to acknowledge when he felt McCain was correct on an issue…McCain was able to do nothing but be condescending and demeaning to Obama.

  • kansasdem

    I notice that even Mark Halperin gave Obama a slight advantage ………… yeah, that Halperin! I think he gave McNutJob a B- and Obama an A- for their overall performance.

  • KatinWilm

    In the harsh, sober light of day, I’ve had time to think about the debate last night and re-evaluate my feelings about it. I think some of my disappointment with Obama’s performance stemmed from my hopes that he would really nail McCain on a lot of issues and perhaps even bring on, as Elvis described, a “Colonel Nathan Jessup moment.” I should have known not to expect those kind of dirty politics from Obama.During the debate, Obama sounded knowledgeable, calm, cool and collected. I do wish he hadn’t agreed so many times with McCain, however. It seemed that several statements were prefaced with “John and I agree on that” or “I agree with John.” While this shows the bipartisan nature of Obama, it seemed like it was said too often. I also wish he had nailed McCain on more issues such as veterans. The zingers about singing about bombing Iran and the Spain gaffe were very well done, though.The polls following the debates are really encouraging. I’m glad the undecideds have seen Obama as what he is – an intelligent, calm, well-spoken leader and McCain as a bitter, grumpy, old man who had his Depends in a wad.

  • cminri

    Makes one wonder how anyone can be undecided at this point.

  • http://www.englandforobama.com chantoozie

    Katin, I totally agree. I think we lily-livered, bleeding heart, liberal egghead communists so wanted him to deliver a sucker punch to McCain, to be more aggressive.But actually Obama just had to be himself: intelligent, gentlemanly, capable, rational, confident, positive, knowledgeable, reasonable, gracious.Because while he may not have been tougher, or angrier, or made his points in a punchier, more memorable way, it ultimately means that he came across as *the better man* last night. And in doing so, I think he potentially reached the hearts and minds of the American people far more effectively – and on a far more important level – than he could have done with any killer-punch soundbite.