I think McCain “won”, but on points, not by knockout.\u00a0 Every time he had his opponent on the ropes or reeling, he seemed to back off just short of the final blow to end the bout.\u00a0 There is some wierd way in which McCain is just too nice, too much of a gentleman, too sportsmanlike, almost, to simply do the deed.\u00a0 It’s almost as if he is content to demonstrate his mastery of his opponent without ending the match.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Senator McCain, almost no one watching this debate, who hasn’t already made up their mind, knows ANYTHING about President Hoover.\u00a0 You have to explain the reference, in some detail, to make the parallel clear.<\/p>\n
Knockout blows were available on taxes and their effect on a struggling economy, on late-term abortion and Obama’s extremism, on his alliances with Ayers, ACORN and Wright, people’s fears of government run health-care, etc.\u00a0 But after setting up the blow, and showing he could do it, he retreats to a neutral corner.<\/p>\n
I understand his concern for not appearing harsh or overly combative, given the mushy middle, emotionally driven people to whom he must appeal to win the election.\u00a0\u00a0 So perhaps he was following the advice of political “experts”.\u00a0 I can’t judge it.\u00a0 But it is clear to me that it’s possible to make points with humor and edge, as Reagan showed, and as Palin sometimes does.<\/p>\n
“So, Senator, do you really think the American people believe that you didn’t know William Ayers was an unrepentant radical leftist and terrorist who wished he’d bombed MORE, when you worked closely with him in a job he gave you to distribute other people’s money to indoctrinate children in his radical ways?\u00a0 Don’t you think your opinion of the electorate is just a BIT low?”<\/p>\n
“So, Senator, do you really think that by taking money away from the employers of our society you can create more jobs?\u00a0 How will that work, exactly?\u00a0 Will lowering their profit margin inspire them to go out and hire people?\u00a0 I’m just curious, I’m sure your advisers have explained it to you, and maybe you would explain it to the rest of us, right now?”<\/p>\n
“So, Senator, will you explain exactly what kind of health problems a woman might have that your advisers have told you are adequate reason to kill an 8 month fetus in the womb, that would be viable if it was simply born?”<\/p>\n
“So, Senator, can you explain why you are second in all-time donations from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, who gave you more money in three years than they gave John Kerry in his entire Senate career, and almost as much a Christopher Dodd in HIS entire career?\u00a0 What do they see in you that would inspire them to do this, just before their spectacular recent meltdown?”<\/p>\n
“So, Senator, can you explain why government run health care in the USA will work any better than it has in Canada, Great Britain, and most of Europe?\u00a0 What deep insight do you have that is superior to all those other wise socialists?”<\/p>\n
I can dream, I guess.\u00a0 Of course, I’d have a hard time getting elected to dog catcher…\u00a0 too combative, I suppose.\u00a0 But there was a time for this in the campaign, and it should have happened way sooner than now.<\/p>\n
McCain should have made a LOT more of the fact that Obama would not hold the ten townhalls with him, and asked him point blank what he was afraid of the American people finding out.<\/p>\n
.<\/p>\n