Analysis: New Vigor At Ole Miss

First Presidential Debate Revealed Some New Dynamics With Familiar Results, Writes Vaughn Ververs

(CBS)  This analysis was written by CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs.

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It took some time to get there but the moderator of tonight’s presidential debate did succeed in his announced goal of getting the presidential candidates to talk with one another. In a series of often sharp exchanges over issues ranging from tax cuts to the war in Iraq and presidential leadership, John McCain and Barack Obama squared off against one another in a debate that summed up a year of campaigning and likely left the race just as close as it was going in.

The candidates mostly stuck to the familiar talking points from the campaign trail but out of the boilerplate positions emerged some striking dispositions of both. McCain at times appeared almost dismayed that was forced to share the stage with this political upstart. That came across in body language, occasional dismayed laughs and direct zingers.

Time and again, McCain claimed that Obama just did not “understand” the issue at hand. And at one point he mocked the Obama’s campaign’s now-defunct campaign “seal,” saying of meeting with adversarial foreign leaders, “I'm not going to set the White House visitors schedule before I'm president of the United States. I don't even have a seal yet.” The most direct example came during an argumentative exchange about the wisdom of meeting with the Iranian president. “So let me get this right,” McCain said, exasperated. “We sit down with Ahmadinejad, and he says, "We're going to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth," and we say, "No, you're not"? Oh, please.”

For his part, Obama spent a good deal of the evening appearing to be on the defensive, or at least trying to counter McCain’s parries, especially on foreign policy. At times, he seemed over-eager to jump in and clear up what he felt was a mischaracterization and then went to great lengths to demonstrate his knowledge of every issue.

One of Obama’s strengths was demonstrating empathy and understanding for average Americans, but he wasn’t always successful in that either. Kicking off the debate with a question about the financial crisis, Obama allowed that voters are wondering, “how’s it going to affect me?” He never answered the question, instead launching into a litany of economic principles. Neither candidate was eager to say what programs they would push aside because of the financial situation but Obama spent time talking about the things he would not put off, none of which seemed particularly urgent.

But most of the debate was focused on foreign policy and international issues. Both campaigns naturally felt their guy got the better of those exchanges. Obama spokesperson Robert Gibbs, who said the defining moment of the debate was when his candidate pointed out the incorrect assumptions McCain had made before the war in Iraq, said Obama got the better of it. “Barack Obama looked stronger on foreign policy than John McCain,” he said. “He was in command of the issues, in command of the debate. I think he far-and-away passed over the hurdle of demonstrating to the American people he’s capable to be commander-in-chief.”

John McCain seemed to relish the foreign policy questions and pulled no punches about what he thought of his rival’s positions. At one point, he said that Obama was not only naïve but “dangerous” because of his previous statements about using military action in Pakistan. McCain’s campaign manager Steve Schmidt echoed that after the debate and said his candidate “pointed out the naïveté and bad judgment” of Obama “on a range of issues.”

When all the dust is settled, it may well be that dynamic which proves the most critical. McCain did display his depth and breadth of knowledge about the world but Obama didn’t falter. And it seemed at times that the Republican had returned to a strategy of contrasting his “experience” with Obama.

Asked afterwards whether the campaign had returned to a “experience versus change” dynamic after weeks of McCain talking about the latter, Schmidt said the two are interconnected. “Senator McCain has a record of leading reform and change and he has the experience to bring about change,” he said. “Senator Obama is a very gifted politician … but he does not have a record of bringing about reform or fighting to bring about change.” Obama’s campaign manager David Plouffe countered, “what John McCain did tonight is make no case for change at all.”

If McCain’s mission was to come out in this debate and demonstrate his command of foreign policy while putting his opponent on the defensive, he succeeded. And if Obama’s goal was to rise to that and demonstrate he was up to the challenge, he met that as well. But if change is truly the decisive issue, Obama may well retain what appears to be a slight edge in this race.

[fairness2]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290Gov. Blunt Statement on Obama Campaign%u2019s Abusive Use of Missouri Law Enforcement





Continued...... see previous entry

%u201CThis abuse of the law for intimidation insults the most sacred principles and ideals of Jefferson. I can think of nothing more offensive to Jefferson%u2019s thinking than using the power of the state to deprive Americans of their civil rights. The only conceivable purpose of Messrs. McCulloch, Obama and the others is to frighten people away from expressing themselves, to chill free and open debate, to suppress support and donations to conservative organizations targeted by this anti-civil rights, to strangle criticism of Mr. Obama, to suppress ads about his support of higher taxes, and to choke out criticism on television, radio, the Internet, blogs, e-mail and daily conversation about the election.


%u201CBarack Obama needs to grow up. Leftist blogs and others in the press constantly say false things about me and my family. Usually, we ignore false and scurrilous accusations because the purveyors have no credibility. When necessary, we refute them. Enlisting Missouri law enforcement to intimidate people and kill free debate is reminiscent of the Sedition Acts - not a free society.%u201D

[fairness2]

Where is the story regarding MO Gov. Blunt''s statement regarding the Obama "truth squad".
I expected to see this on the news today!!!! (not just the blogs).................FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt today issued the following statement on news reports that have exposed plans by U.S. Senator Barack Obama to use Missouri law enforcement to threaten and intimidate his critics.
%u201CSt. Louis County Circuit Attorney Bob McCulloch, St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, Jefferson County Sheriff Glenn Boyer, and Obama and the leader of his Missouri campaign Senator Claire McCaskill have attached the stench of police state tactics to the Obama-Biden campaign.
%u201CWhat Senator Obama and his helpers are doing is scandalous beyond words, the party that claims to be the party of Thomas Jefferson is abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment.
To be continued.....

[dixxson-2009]

In the 70.s when I would walk into a book store, before computers, cable TV,
Carl Sagan or the Internet and ask about
books on Dinosaurs, I would be directed to the children''s section. Where I would find paper thin cartoon booklets.
And I pondered, what if I''d asked for
books on Religion? They''d have them Thick as the building, trimmed in Silver & Gold. This says we are a danger to ourselves. The dinosaur quest is made by peoples with serious questions. A Tortured prisoner of war Vet that declines release demands these questions. I saw it in Nam and at work
Guys got so comfortable, Pampered & Cushy, They had to be forced to retire!
This seems a more logical explanation for McCain in Nam!

[brownpride46]

We need a Democrat like Senator Obama in the White House. However, we need to do our due diligence. Catastrophic allegations are being weighed in a Philadephia court re: Senator Obama''s refusal to provide a certified vault copy of his birth certificate. Why is Obama doing this?

See for yourself. www.obamacrimes.com or GOOGLE: obama lawsuit.

That''s why McCain can be so smug. They know this can destroy the Democratic Party (Howard Dean, Dianne Fienstein would be implicated for lack of due diligence). Although, I am hoping Judge Surrick will dismiss the case, we should all have doubts about a man who won''t provide a simple piece of paper to vanquish these serious allegations.

--Concerned Democrat

[praiseallah1]

Read Paulsons "Nigerian Scam Letter" he sent to Nancy Pelosi at http://www.WallStreetMarketNews.com on the front page of their Official Blog.

Funniest thing I ever read and it''s all true! I''m emailing it to everyone I know!

[praiseallah1]

Read Paulsons "Nigerian Scam Letter" he sent to Nancy Pelosi at http://www.WallStreetMarketNews.com on the front page of their Official Blog.

Funniest thing I ever read and it''s all true! I''m emailing it to everyone I know!

[nodevils2]

OBAMA IS LEADING! In the polls, in history, in new voter registration, in fundraising, in campaign management, by every metric possible! Conventional wisdom has always said that you can determine how a president will lead by observing how he leads his campaign and the decision he made in picking his vice presidential nominee! Obama/Biden 08, real leadership for a new generation! What a STELLAR campaign being run by an incredible young, American leader! Go OBAMA/BIDEN

[nodevils2]

Republicans speak as though the threats posed by global warming and climate change are nonexistent. Keep in mind that the stone age did not end because of a lack of stones; in like manner, our dependence on fossil fuels will not end because of a shortage of oil. Leadership is required, such as the leadership demonstrated by Obama. Furthermore, the space program, from Gemini through Apollo to Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon, began as a pie in the sky. Real leadership made it a reality. Exxon Mobil markets itself as an ENERGY company. In actuality, they are merely an oil and gas company. If they truly viewed themselves as an energy company, they would have plowed a much greater profit into acquisition of alternative energy companies. The alternative energy technology is more developed and functional than the un-informed realize. However, Exxon used the bulk of its profits to buy back its own stock. This reflects short term thinking. Think out of the box, man! Through a combination of government working together with business, a whole new set of opportunities quickly emerges under an Obama/Biden administration. A good example of how government, in this case NASA, can work together with industry was the new swimsuits revealed at the Beijing Olympics. The suits were designed by NASA and Speedo and instrumental in the number of world records set. OBAMA/BIDEN 08

[nodevils2]

The most significant change that Obama/Biden will bring to the White House is leadership that actually leads, by changing our government%u2019s strategies and culture so that they have a better fit to the global economy. Obama has an excellent ability to shape a strategic vision of a realistic and attractive future that binds us together as Americans and focuses our energy toward super ordinate goals as a nation. Obama stands alone as the candidate who can frame messages around a grand purpose with emotional appeal that captivates the best in us. Transformational leaders not only talk about a vision; they enact it. They walk the talk by stepping outside the executive suite and doing things that symbolize the vision, the way that Obama performed during the primaries and the way he has run a STELLAR overall campaign. Obama stands alone as the candidate best equipped to demonstrate a Can Do attitude with an image of honesty, trust, and integrity. OBAMA IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! OBAMA 08; Yes We Can

[x-republican]

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.
John Stuart Mill

Posted by IOWEIGN at 12:01 PM : Sep 27, 2008

LOL! It''s funny ''cause it''s true and has been empirically verified. It''s also true that religious people are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are religious. While the reverse is not true. Most atheists, on the whole, have above average intelligence. This too has been empirically verified.

[ubrew12]

specialty8 said: "I have not got any comments on what Obama has done over the last few years as an elected official of his state, so I assume he pretty much has done nothing."

When it rains, it pours:

Obama has sponsored or cosponsored 570 bills in three years (more than McCain in the same timeframe); he has directly introduced 15 bills that have become law (more than McCain); he has introduced amendments to 50 bills, of which 16 were adopted by the Senate (more than McCain). Most of the bills he sponsored were in: energy efficiency (25 bills), health care (21 bills), public health (20 bills), consumer protection (14 bills), Veterans bills (13 bills) and ethics bills (12 bills). He hasn''t set any kind of record, but his record IS above the average for a freshman Senator. On a related point, let''s note that Obama has voted on more than half of all bills this year vs McCain who has missed every vote since April (indeed, McCain''s own leading state newspaper has criticised him, and noted that AZ voters are citing McCain''s failure to even show up in the Senate this year, as a major reason NOT to vote for him!).

[ubrew12]

specialty8 said: "I have not got any comments on what Obama has done over the last few years as an elected official of his state, so I assume he pretty much has done nothing."

As you''re too lazy to look it up yourself:

U.S. Senate 2004 winning 70% of the vote; helped create legislation to control conventional weapons, promoted greater public accountability; made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; helped create legislation regarding lobbying and electrical fraud, climate change, nuclear terrorism and care for returned u.s.military personnel - before the U.S. Senate he was elected to the Ill. State Senate 1996 - gained bipartisan support for legislation reforming ethics & health care laws; sponsored a law increasing tax credits for low income workers; negotiated welfare reform and promoted increased subsidies for children, among many other things - before this, ample grass-roots experience as a community organizer, including developing a church-based community organization of 8 catholic parishes in Chicago - Crain''s Chicago business newspaper named Obama to its 1993 list of "under 40" powers to be - a Harvard law graduate cvm laude, taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago law school for 12 years, keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, and twice a best selling author.

[ioweign]

Libs think they are smarter than everyone else which makes them stupid!

Posted by CBSCensorsU at 11:03 AM : Sep 27, 2008


Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.
John Stuart Mill

[specialty8]

I have not got any comments on what Obama has done over the last few years as an elected official of his state, so I assume he pretty much has done nothing.

[ubrew12]

curse914 said: "Gotta go. I am working this weekend to help pay for the bailout of Investors in Saudi Arabia and China. "

As you work, consider Will Rogers words: "If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging"

I wonder, when the American people are going to take that timeless advice and start addressing their many debts?

[louiville2]

Gotta go. I am working this weekend to help pay for the bailout of Investors in Saudi Arabia and China.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by curse914

BY BY "Astroturf roots" 6.00/hr community organizer. LOL

[specialty8]

curse914,
I really do not have a argument.Just trying to figure out who to vote for.What has Obama done? I heard he sponsored a bill to remove asbestos from some buildings. What else? Curious minds want to know.

[ubrew12]

specialty8 said: "if you go into some parts of [Chicago] after dark,you might not come back out. Just seems to me Obama should have done the job he was elected to do "

I''ve heard that about Anchorage, and I blame Governor Palin for it 100%. (/sarcasm)

[specialty8]

I am independant,but who is this Obama guy? What has he done for the state of Illinose? Most post from the people of Chicago are not to favorable. One poster made the comment about if you go into some parts of the city after dark,you might not come back out. Just seems to me Obama should have done the job he was elected to do before getting into something he can not handle.What has he done for the state he was elected to represent?

[louiville2]

CHRIS CUOMO, ABC NEWS: A little surprising for you to hear the Democrats saying, "This came out of nowhere, this is all about the Republicans. We had nothing to do with this." Nancy Pelosi saying it. She signed the ''99 Gramm Bill. She knew what was going on with the SEC. They''re all sophisticated people. Is that playing politics in this situation?

BILL CLINTON: Well, maybe everybody does that a little bit. I think the responsibility the Democrats have may rest more in resisting any efforts by Republicans in the Congress or by me when I was President to put some standards and tighten up a little on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

There you have it this finacial crisis was seen well in advance by republicans and stalled by Democrats.