Track Mangoes

Obama’s opening statement won over McCain’s, and set the precedent for most of the evening. His several points on the financial crisis, particularly on oversight and the possibility of future market returns, felt personally reassuring. Up until he began calling McCain the Bush incarnate,

Obama’s cool mannerisms seemed like a vast improvement from his fumbling performances in the primaries.

A discussion of the financial crisis ensued. It was obvious neither candidate knew what to do. McCain sang his “evil earmarks” song, while Obama tried myriad subjects from health care to corporations-this and corporations-that. Is it just me, or does the back and forth seem pointless in light of their agreement on the bailout? The topic died, but not before McCain could make an ill comment about the badness of bear DNA. (Has he forgotten that Palin, my favorite feminist, once endeavored to study the genetic makeup of Alaskan seals?)

Neither candidate could think of ways the crisis would affect their presidency. Lehrer: “Neither one of you is suggesting any major changes.” Obama avoided committing to anything, ceding that he might consider giving up parts of his energy policy (phooey!). McCain suggested a spending freeze (double phooey!). Lehrer reiterated: Will either candidate even “acknowledge” the effects of the crisis on their respective presidencies? Apparently not.

So, on to the Middle East! McCain’s assertion that he knows the difference between a strategy and a tactic came off as petulant, as did Obama’s unconvincing “I do too” rebuttal. Obama continued to fall on his face when he reprimanded McCain for belligerency (“singing songs” ‘bout bombin’ North Korea) and also flouted his bad idea about launching strikes into Pakistan without their permission.

McCain framed his Iran policy almost exclusively around Israel and preventing a second Holocaust. As for Obama, Daniel Larison of The American Conservative noted that Obama worked on his “anti-Iranian hawkish pander, claiming (falsely) that he has always supported labeling the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization.” Also, McCain can’t pronounce “Ahmadinejad.”

The Iran debate spiraled downward. Obama: Kissinger encouraged meetings with Iran, McCain: Obama “legitimizes” terrorism Obama: McCain won’t meet with Spain for god’s sake. McCain: Kissinger is my friend. Why are we still talking about Kissinger?

Post-debate, I assessed that Obama managed to avoid his old habit either disjointed elitism or folksy tones and locutions. However, he didn’t come off aggressive enough. “Sen. McCain is absolutely right" was Obama’s mantra. If Obama wants to distance himself from the elite he ought not say things like “al Qaeda are attacking our troops in a brazen fashion, they feel emboldened." Michael Crowley of the New Republic wrote that it was academic language for something he should feel “visceral” and “passionate” about, adding “It reminds me of John Kerry.”

McCain ought to continue distancing himself from his reputation as a beady-eyed curmudgeon. Telling stories about the two letters Eisenhower wrote after D-Day won’t help.

Don’t listen to what Macalester liberals tell you, they are probably the worst judges; Obama did not win by a large margin, if at all. Juvenility tinted the evening, (I actually laughed when Obama declared, “I too have a bracelet”) making it unnecessary to declare a winner. This won’t be a particularly memorable debate.

In the coming weeks I predict that McCain’s attempts to belittle Obama will surface as his biggest fault. It’s precisely the approach Hillary took. Stressing Obama's inexperience will also make the GOP look silly when Palin (who lives next to Russia, doncha-know) goes up against Biden. A debate I wouldn’t miss for the world.

COMING SOON: PALIN STEAM ROLLS BIDEN! or does she?
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