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I think that the biggest tell of this debate was that McCain wouldn't look into Obama's eyes.
Both candidates were reluctant to address one another, despite the proposed format, but Obama managed to do it several times, and was even getting into the rhythm of it by the end of the debate. However, McCain, when refuting Obama, never used the word 'you', and never even looked in Obama's direction. It made him look scared.
Besides that, both candidates performed rather well, I thought. McCain had another weakness in how many times he said that Obama "just doesn't get it" - it made him sound like he was dismissing good suggestions and patronizing Obama rather than making him sound like he knew what he was talking about and Obama didn't.
Also, Obama made a few nice blows, like pointing out that Kissinger, McCain's advisor, had publicly supported talks with Iran without preconditions. In fact, the whole 'talks with Iran' thing made McCain look as though he was clinging with his fingernails to a piece of outdated "WE DON'T NEGOTIATE RAAAARGH" policy. Obama, on the other hand, looked like he was taking into consideration the things a lot of intelligent people were saying.
Another nice point on Obama's side was after McCain sidestepped, saying that he would never say publicly that he would attack Pakistan. Obama was all, I absolutely agree, a Commander in Chief has to be careful what they say, but from someone who publicly advocated wiping out North Korea it doesn't sound plausible. It was nice.
I'm not sure what to think about McCain talking all over Obama, like he did several times (while Obama said things like "That's not true" in the background). On the one hand, Obama never could effectively interrupt him; on the other hand, McCain would start rambling just so that he could not let Obama interrupt him. So, mixed feelings?
Obama did still sound a little like a professor; and McCain definitely blew him out of the water in the first few responses. But Obama came back, and he was snappy, and he was good, and I think that overall he came out ahead.
Incidentally. I wonder what three letters are behind *my* eyes.... O.o I hope they're not, oh, say, IN CYRILLIC.
Both candidates were reluctant to address one another, despite the proposed format, but Obama managed to do it several times, and was even getting into the rhythm of it by the end of the debate. However, McCain, when refuting Obama, never used the word 'you', and never even looked in Obama's direction. It made him look scared.
Besides that, both candidates performed rather well, I thought. McCain had another weakness in how many times he said that Obama "just doesn't get it" - it made him sound like he was dismissing good suggestions and patronizing Obama rather than making him sound like he knew what he was talking about and Obama didn't.
Also, Obama made a few nice blows, like pointing out that Kissinger, McCain's advisor, had publicly supported talks with Iran without preconditions. In fact, the whole 'talks with Iran' thing made McCain look as though he was clinging with his fingernails to a piece of outdated "WE DON'T NEGOTIATE RAAAARGH" policy. Obama, on the other hand, looked like he was taking into consideration the things a lot of intelligent people were saying.
Another nice point on Obama's side was after McCain sidestepped, saying that he would never say publicly that he would attack Pakistan. Obama was all, I absolutely agree, a Commander in Chief has to be careful what they say, but from someone who publicly advocated wiping out North Korea it doesn't sound plausible. It was nice.
I'm not sure what to think about McCain talking all over Obama, like he did several times (while Obama said things like "That's not true" in the background). On the one hand, Obama never could effectively interrupt him; on the other hand, McCain would start rambling just so that he could not let Obama interrupt him. So, mixed feelings?
Obama did still sound a little like a professor; and McCain definitely blew him out of the water in the first few responses. But Obama came back, and he was snappy, and he was good, and I think that overall he came out ahead.
Incidentally. I wonder what three letters are behind *my* eyes.... O.o I hope they're not, oh, say, IN CYRILLIC.