It's so strange reading your comments because 90% of the people on my f-list are saying the exact opposite (I have no preference either way and can't vote anyway, as I am not registered). I didn't watch the debate. It's one of those things where it's like, Okay, who is right then? :^P
Great question. In my mind the winner of a debate is the one who keeps his opponent on the defensive and constantly explaining his positions. Obama, to his credit, was able to answer most of the questions. But he was on his heels (figuratively) the entire time. Winner McCain. Of course I am biased, as most people are, by my positions. But the political correspondent for the Daily Telegraph in London thinks McCain won too. Since unlike U.S. reporter, he can't vote, he probably has a more balanced view of our elections than we do. BTW most of my flist are Obama supporters so they think Obama was the winner. :-)
I'm not sure which article you read in the telegraph, but this:
"Despite scoring several points, and forcing Mr Obama to admit that higher earners will face tax rises, even Mr McCain’s supporters admitted that he had not achieved the “game-changing” evening that would have instantly altered the race with just 20 days to go."
"They'll probably both be pleased with their performances I think, although it's impossible to imagine that Mr McCain's was convincing enough to shift the terms of an election that is slipping out of his grasp."
"Despite scoring several points, and forcing Mr Obama to admit that higher earners will face tax rises, even Mr McCain’s supporters admitted that he had not achieved the “game-changing” evening that would have instantly altered the race with just 20 days to go."
does not sound like a win to me.
Think of the debates as the world series in which every game must be played. The reporter for the Daily Telegraph said it wasn't "game-changing" meaning he doesn't think it will change the outcome of the election. It doesn't change the fact that he won this debate, this one game, even if barely.
Al Gore won debates in 2000. John Kerry won debates in 2004. By all reporter accounts Kerry won them all. He still lost the election. I'm not saying that this proves McCain will win the general election. I'm just saying he won the debate. If you think Obama won, that's fine. I think Obama was put on the defensive for all most the entire time and to me that means he lost.
Please elaborate. All the snap polls apparently agree, and say the opposite; the only ones who say that he won are hard-core republicans and the pundits.
So, what exactly leads you to believe that "McCain spanked Obama's ass?"
I do not plan to debate your points... I am trying to understand your perspective, not as a die-hard republican, but as an individual who supposedly saw exactly the same event I did, but came away with a completely different opinion of the event.
Can you explain, but without the filter of your political affiliation?
Which network were you watching? Did you watch the commentary afterward?
And something more than "kept him answering questions, please." That does not win a debate.
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"Despite scoring several points, and forcing Mr Obama to admit that higher earners will face tax rises, even Mr McCain’s supporters admitted that he had not achieved the “game-changing” evening that would have instantly altered the race with just 20 days to go."
does not sound like a win to me.
(source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/presidentialdebates/3207077/US-presidential-debate-John-McCain-fails-to-dent-Barack-Obamas-lead.html)
Neither does this:
"They'll probably both be pleased with their performances I think, although it's impossible to imagine that Mr McCain's was convincing enough to shift the terms of an election that is slipping out of his grasp."
(source: Reply
does not sound like a win to me.
Think of the debates as the world series in which every game must be played. The reporter for the Daily Telegraph said it wasn't "game-changing" meaning he doesn't think it will change the outcome of the election. It doesn't change the fact that he won this debate, this one game, even if barely.
Al Gore won debates in 2000. John Kerry won debates in 2004. By all reporter accounts Kerry won them all. He still lost the election. I'm not saying that this proves McCain will win the general election. I'm just saying he won the debate. If you think Obama won, that's fine. I think Obama was put on the defensive for all most the entire time and to me that means he lost.
YMMV.
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So, what exactly leads you to believe that "McCain spanked Obama's ass?"
I do not plan to debate your points... I am trying to understand your perspective, not as a die-hard republican, but as an individual who supposedly saw exactly the same event I did, but came away with a completely different opinion of the event.
Can you explain, but without the filter of your political affiliation?
Which network were you watching? Did you watch the commentary afterward?
And something more than "kept him answering questions, please." That does not win a debate.
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