tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post4014212651726133057..comments2024-03-28T19:23:37.979-05:00Comments on Althouse: McCain "needs to make an opponent an enemy in his mind to kind of get up for this. He personalizes conflict..."Ann Althousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630636239933008807noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-24078245129049384762008-09-29T03:53:00.000-05:002008-09-29T03:53:00.000-05:00"I'm afraid Senator Obama doesn't understand the d...<I>"I'm afraid Senator Obama doesn't understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy." If you don't, you're not fit to stand on the stage next to John McCain, who's been through tactics and strategies all over the world over half a century.)</I><BR/><BR/>If you don't, <B>you're not qualified to be President of the United States</B>.<BR/><BR/>Because there's no bigger screwup than confusing the two, and getting so caught up in the short term battles (tactics) that you forget what it is you're trying to accomplish (strategy).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-10084334319106014862008-09-28T00:18:00.000-05:002008-09-28T00:18:00.000-05:00The history of presidential debates proves that th...The history of presidential debates proves that they are not won on points, they are won because of visceral impressions left by the candidates. In this one, Obama left the impression that he is well versed, comfortable on the national stage, not rattled by persistent attacks, forward looking, and temperamentally well suited for the Presidency -- he passed the "test" that all candidates not on the National scene for a long time go through, with flying colors. I have not seen one mainstream GOP affiliated pundit of any repute who did not acknowledge that, including Ed Rollins, Castellano, Brooks, Will, etc. <BR/><BR/>By contrast, McCain came across as old, more than a little angry, condescending, backward looking, at times seriously unhinged, and, in the end, small and unpresidential. I know his GOP supporters don't like to hear it, but it is true -- it is the enduring impression from the debate, just like Kennedy/Nixon and Reagan/Carter where supporters of the incumbent party candidate wanted their guy to win real bad, and rationalized how that had happened, but after the dust had settled, it was obvious that metrics they were using to measure debate success missed the pint entirely.<BR/><BR/>People are sick of Karl Rove corrosive politics. Attacks and condescension only work against an somebody who is ignorant, and politically inept. When Obama demonstrated over and over his command of the complexities of international affiars, at times much more informed and masterfully than McCain, the supposed expert, the McCain charge that Obama did "not understand" or that he was naive fell flat. What Obama succeeded in doing was being the adult on the stage, the more generous personality, with every bit as much substance, but not reflexively alienating moderate to conservative voters who are truly fed up with the GOP but don't trust the democrats yet. Obama went a long way -- a very long way -- toward earning their trust. And John McCain reinforced every negative thing one can say about him: temperamentally challenged, belittling, angry, small. Non-Presidential.<BR/><BR/>It's over. Between Palin, the Bail-out drama queen act, the McCain-Native American gambling fiasco that is now surfacing, this small debate performance, and a 7 year legacy of increasing support for the least popular President in modern times, there is almost no way he can win.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-70305886676240891142008-09-27T21:52:00.000-05:002008-09-27T21:52:00.000-05:00Quite right, Michael, the NFL has both values/L-D ...Quite right, Michael, the NFL has both values/L-D and policy/team debate. I did policy, of course, because I was more interested in facts and logic than in sophistic demagoguery. <BR/><BR/>That, and the whole team thing is uncomfortable for people whose worlds consist of me, I and myself. But beyond the dreams of a new Lincoln and a new Douglas, I think policy debate's content more accurately reflects what we wish to learn from the Presidential debates.<BR/><BR/>What is really uncomfortable for me, however, is the constant association of verbal articulateness with intelligence. It is actually a poor test. I would be much happier with some brains reflected exclusive of the tongue. I do like that McCain was a fighter pilot and that Palin has worked with her hands. Not POTUS quals per se, but character building. Can't ignore reality when dealing with things.Nichevohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12591460407621898458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-68877622063625383192008-09-27T21:49:00.000-05:002008-09-27T21:49:00.000-05:00Obama is McCain's enemy. Only one of them can win...Obama is McCain's enemy. Only one of them can win. Obama is a person, not a abstract list of principles. <BR/><BR/>It is personal. We're electing a person. So why is it odd for these two people, Obama and McCain, to personally feel enmity to each other? If they don't, I'd wouldn't vote for them. That's not normal.<BR/><BR/>Did the last time someone got promoted over you at work make you feel good? Why do we expect a Presidential candidate to stop being human?NotWhoIUsedtoBehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14568355742926021406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-82465895825416551152008-09-27T19:14:00.000-05:002008-09-27T19:14:00.000-05:00And in all fairness, I, too, am totally trying you...And in all fairness, I, too, am totally trying your brisket method. Four hours? Break out the Brinkmann.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16774002797359859550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-42040203786207696452008-09-27T19:12:00.001-05:002008-09-27T19:12:00.001-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16774002797359859550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-11293046476766137102008-09-27T19:12:00.000-05:002008-09-27T19:12:00.000-05:00In all fairness, McCain has been in public life fo...In all fairness, McCain has been in public life for 20-plus years. Someone would have noticed that he was unable to make eye contact due to being POW long before now. <BR/><BR/>The longer the list gets of things McCain cannot possible be expected to do because he was beaten as a POW, the more I think we need to add "be President" to it. Because that makes as much sense as some of the other lunacy attributed as such.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16774002797359859550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-64467909544281689202008-09-27T18:38:00.000-05:002008-09-27T18:38:00.000-05:00Elder Que: I went to your site and love it.I'm goi...Elder Que: I went to your site and love it.<BR/><BR/>I'm going to try some of your suggestions.Robertohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15134027971098573102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-36420469594339258742008-09-27T18:36:00.000-05:002008-09-27T18:36:00.000-05:00Elder Que said..."In all fairness, McCain was a PO...Elder Que said..."In all fairness, McCain was a POW for 5 years. That's why he didn't make eye contact."<BR/><BR/>Was he afraid Obama was going to...continue the torture?<BR/><BR/>Spin on, dude...Robertohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15134027971098573102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-19653297357055721092008-09-27T18:34:00.001-05:002008-09-27T18:34:00.001-05:00"On a Saturday conference call with reporters, Oba..."On a Saturday conference call with reporters, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe called Gov. Sarah Palin "a terrific debater" who has "performed very, very well" in previous debates with opponents in her state."<BR/><BR/>And there you have it: Sarah Palin is a master debater.Robertohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15134027971098573102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-92200612403727231862008-09-27T18:34:00.000-05:002008-09-27T18:34:00.000-05:00In all fairness, McCain was a POW for 5 years. T...In all fairness, McCain was a POW for 5 years. That's why he didn't make eye contact.Elder Quehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10241083642907047326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-34333019242771459102008-09-27T18:30:00.000-05:002008-09-27T18:30:00.000-05:00"...the no-eye contact thing was obviously a strat..."...the no-eye contact thing was obviously a strategy, probably designed to piss obama off and take him off his game..."<BR/><BR/>What a strategy.<BR/><BR/>Check the polls and see how well it all worked out.Robertohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15134027971098573102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-24019126306813129752008-09-27T18:29:00.000-05:002008-09-27T18:29:00.000-05:00"McCain gave him RESPECT, and Obama just kept call..."McCain gave him RESPECT, and Obama just kept calling him John back."<BR/><BR/>Ridiculous.<BR/><BR/>These men have know each other for years.<BR/><BR/>Since when is it disrespectful to call your opponent by their name.<BR/><BR/>Stretching, spinning like a top.<BR/><BR/>Every poll has Obama winning and people here are still locked on names and eye contact.Robertohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15134027971098573102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-48546335179074061232008-09-27T18:10:00.000-05:002008-09-27T18:10:00.000-05:00the no-eye contact thing was obviously a strategy,...the no-eye contact thing was obviously a strategy, probably designed to piss obama off and take him off his game. absolutely nothing to do with primate behavior, mccain's anger problems, etc. <BR/><BR/>you may recall gore got up in w's grill in 2000 during a debate. gore later said that it was planned, and that he thought it would unnerve w. of course, all it did was make gore out to be an ass, and a weird ass at that.ASHTONhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11117797095843792487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-6764299657288000602008-09-27T17:08:00.000-05:002008-09-27T17:08:00.000-05:00My flatmate made the same observation about McCain...<I>My flatmate made the same observation about McCain not looking at Obama. He didn't like it much. Me, I've always been of the opinion that you don't need eyes to listen to someone--in fact, eyes can distract you--so I interpreted it as McCain tuning out distractions and paying close attention to what Obama was saying.</I><BR/><BR/>According to the blue-collar dad of my oldest friend, he noticed the lack of eye-contact. Then he surprised me by saying:<BR/><BR/>"McCain gave him RESPECT, and Obama just kept calling him John back."<BR/><BR/>This is why I love talking to normal folks who don't get their talking points or conclusions from blogs.<BR/><BR/>In all the articles I read today, no one made this stunningly simple connexion between cause-effect.<BR/><BR/>May not be true. But at least bring it up as an option.<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/>Victoriavbspurshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00992013640447117624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-44228194330320839662008-09-27T16:58:00.000-05:002008-09-27T16:58:00.000-05:00Hmmm..."low ranking monkeys don't look at high ran...Hmmm...<BR/><BR/>"low ranking monkeys don't look at high ranking monkeys..."<BR/><BR/>That's sounds supremely politically incorrect to refer to the first black major party nominee as a "high ranking monkey," but hey, it's been a rough year for identity politics.AmPowerBloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18236333181889271910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-39789402687535244692008-09-27T16:34:00.000-05:002008-09-27T16:34:00.000-05:00synova asks (as if this is even remotely associate...synova asks (as if this is even remotely associated with making eye contact):<BR/><BR/>"How much movement does McCain have in his neck?"<BR/><BR/>Absolutely NONE.<BR/><BR/>You should see the man turn corners in hallways, drive a car, cross the street, play poker with more than one person, etc...and I don't even want to get into his lovemaking with Cinderella.Robertohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15134027971098573102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-30934483957186974092008-09-27T16:29:00.000-05:002008-09-27T16:29:00.000-05:00Blake, are you actually saying McCain didn't make ...Blake, are you actually saying McCain didn't make eye contact because...he couldn't turn his body???<BR/><BR/>I've heard some good ones, but that's right at the top.<BR/><BR/>*I guess, if you want McCain to make eye contact, one must stand directly in front of him at all times?<BR/><BR/>And how does handle driving a car?Robertohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15134027971098573102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-47589943687869541732008-09-27T16:26:00.000-05:002008-09-27T16:26:00.000-05:00nathan: "...so I interpreted it as McCain tuning o...nathan: "...so I interpreted it as McCain tuning out distractions and paying close attention to what Obama was saying."<BR/><BR/>But he didn't look at Obama when HE was talking either.<BR/><BR/>And can we assume Obama wsn't paying attention to McCain while he made eye contact?Robertohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15134027971098573102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-82616560925952998962008-09-27T16:24:00.000-05:002008-09-27T16:24:00.000-05:00bjm said..."The MSM furiously spinning for Obama i...bjm said..."The MSM furiously spinning for Obama is news?"<BR/><BR/>You must mean Fox News, right?<BR/><BR/>They're polling also has Obama winning the debate.<BR/><BR/>In fact, why not show a poll ANYWHERE that shows McCain winning.Robertohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15134027971098573102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-91577814700617499012008-09-27T16:20:00.000-05:002008-09-27T16:20:00.000-05:00My flatmate made the same observation about McCain...My flatmate made the same observation about McCain not looking at Obama. He didn't like it much. Me, I've always been of the opinion that you don't need eyes to listen to someone--in fact, eyes can distract you--so I interpreted it as McCain tuning out distractions and paying close attention to what Obama was saying.Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06995121920844405114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-3897255842398718802008-09-27T15:41:00.000-05:002008-09-27T15:41:00.000-05:00The "Palin won't do interviews" meme is becoming a...<I>The "Palin won't do interviews" meme is becoming a little creepy, like demanding an abused women return to the abuser to prove her worth.</I><BR/><BR/>That's an absolutely ridiculous analogy. Just sick. And I'm sick of seeing Palin wrapped up in gossamer and protected from the big bad campaign. When we ask "what's up with that? Where's the GOP VP candidate?" we're now abusers of women? Oh fucking hell. The next time I hear how great Palin is for feminism I'll quote this idiot right back.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16774002797359859550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-54363695367978991512008-09-27T15:17:00.000-05:002008-09-27T15:17:00.000-05:00Republicans place an enormous emphasis on characte...<I>Republicans place an enormous emphasis on character, which [Palin] has and how, </I><BR/><BR/>Sure, I guess so. But if using the power of one's office to gain vengeance against one's enemies, as Palin tried to do, is a sign of character, Richard Nixon ("I am not a crook") had the most character of any President.<BR/><BR/>I guess that Nixon was the archetypical Republican candidate.former law studenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15196697206046544350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-60152489880643121792008-09-27T14:45:00.000-05:002008-09-27T14:45:00.000-05:00Ann wrote:Who am I to stand next to this man?Yes, ...Ann wrote:<BR/><BR/><I>Who am I to stand next to this man?</I><BR/><BR/>Yes, I kept thinking silently to myself:<BR/><BR/>"McCain's treating Obama like Romney"<BR/><BR/>You know, I think McCain is a tough old coot, but based on a lifetime of sharpened life or death skills, he is an exceptional and quick judge of character.<BR/><BR/>He just doesn't think the kid measures up.<BR/><BR/>To pre-empt the trolls, he believes Palin can. Republicans place an enormous emphasis on character, which she has and how, wheras Liberals seem to emphasise personality.<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/>Victoriavbspurshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00992013640447117624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-60604365433489709542008-09-27T14:42:00.000-05:002008-09-27T14:42:00.000-05:00The MSM furiously spinning for Obama is news?The "...The MSM furiously spinning for Obama is news?<BR/><BR/>The "Palin won't do interviews" meme is becoming a little creepy, like demanding an abused women return to the abuser to prove her worth.BJMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04447134335568803085noreply@blogger.com