This is my first blog entry on this site, in ((what I hope is not a vain)) attempt to become more socially conscious, more politically aware. It's 8:30 PM, and this moment rounds up the second of three Presidential Debates, the commentary and criticism that follow, and will continue until one of the candidates throws yet another low blow in what I believe is an attempt to distract us from the real issues at hand. I simultaneously watched the debate and wrote the outline of a screenplay for my second period class, keeping an alert ear for any profound statements or concise and tactful answers to voters' questions. Within the first half hour I reached a point where I had to put down my pencil and really look at the candidates with rapt attention, analyze and manipulate everything they said; there had to have been something that I missed. After another half hour of my undivided attention going to the television screen, I had the same feeling that I did before--this is it?
I won't hide behind a wall of objectivity in this--I'm left...far left in some people's opinions, but honestly I expected more out of Barack Obama tonight. He's knows for his rather elaborate answers that swim around the question and don't necessarily hit an answer, but sound good enough for him to get away with it. But tonight he should have been much more direct in his responses to voters' questions, and used this strategy as a tactic against John McCain's attacks, rather than continuing with his usual drawn out responses and lowering to McCain's level to fire back. My favorite moment throughout the entire debate was after McCain gave a rather foggy, generic response concerning his prioritization of domestic issues [[health care, education and energy]], and Obama responded with a very clear explanation of his views that energy comes first, then health care and then education. Whereas McCain did not answer the question, Obama slipped in and gained on him simply by being direct and answering the question [[despite the debate's reliance on questions posed by the audience, an actual answer coming from either of the candidates was somewhat of a phenomenon]]. Sadly, this is only one moment throughout a 90-minute presidential debate, and is far from either candidate;s "defining moment" in the election process. My question is what did tonight;s debate actually do for voters?
As i mentioned, I have the feeling there is something I missed, so readers I beg you to let me know. An underlying message carried by either of the candidates that would give them an advantage over the opponent [[blatant attacks and allusions/comparisons to George Bush do not count]]. If not, I wonder if the election has peaked or if the Democratic party has entered into some irritating state of purgatory during which all our candidate can do is use partisan politics to play defense against an unrelenting opponent.
It Should have been Hilary.
I agree with the fact that Obama was the only candidate that directly answered his questions in a clear formatt for the viewer to understand. However, there was no real progress within the debate and it did nothing for my views and opinions.
The only thing that was really interesting was that McCain viewed healthcare as a responsibility and Obama viewed healthcare as a right.
another interesting thing to point out was the fact that Obama mentioned that his energy alternatives would prevent and perhaps stop green house emissions which McCain didnt answer.