You know it's bad when the New York Times's editorial scolds McCain outright: "Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin have been running one of the most appalling campaigns we can remember. They have gone far beyond the usual fare of quotes taken out of context and distortions—into the dark territory of race-baiting and xenophobia." The editorial further asks that McCain's team offer a better solution than "inciting more division, anger, and hatred."
Even the right-wing bloggers over at the conservative National Review have just about given up (e.g., Andy McCarthy says, "We have a disaster here"). By comparison, the current president's first campaign looks like a tea party.
I can't say I was energized by the candidates' standard talking points, won over by the odd forum style, or delighted by Tom Brokaw's seeming inability to umpire. But the news coverage today and last night point out how poorly McCain is doing, both in the debates and in the polling, while they show a calm Obama who is able to take a few shots of his own without aggression. Obama won the debate. Now let's see him win the election.
2 comments:
What I don't get are all the comments pre-debate extolling the fact that a townhall debate is McCain's strong suit. Huh? I certainly didn't see it.
How could McCain do well when he was so obviously uncomfortable standing or sitting or leaning on the stage? Yes, I do realize that his war injuries make it difficult, and probably painful, for him to be comfortable on a stool or standing in one spot too long, but don't his handlers know this? Couldn't they have done something about that?
That said, I am hoping that the xenophobic, race-baiting, populist pandering talking points don't actually give the McCain/Palin ticket votes.
Yeah, I heard about that great townhall strength, too. The only thing I can figure is that commentators didn't account for McCain's having to compete for attention with Obama. I couldn't imagine a better way to telegraph "old man" to viewers. Plus McCain doesn't have the court vision that Obama has.
He didn't make it any better by wandering around while Obama was speaking and leaning awkwardly over his notepad to take notes. I guess he decided against the left-handed desk.
Oops!
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