The only response about McCain not mentioning Obama's ties to FM/F is to say check how many ties McCain has in his campaign...they both have way too many ties.
Sometimes you can win by not losing.
That was the case for Barack Obama in Friday's first presidential debate in Oxford, Miss.
Neither candidate scored a knockout or even a knockdown. There was no clear memorable moment or zinger, as past presidential debates have become famous for.
But John McCain, trailing in the polls and debating on what should have been his home turf -- foreign policy -- appears to have lost in the eyes of the public for not having clearly won. A USA Today/Gallup poll found that 46 percent of observers thought Obama won, while only 34 percent thought McCain won.
McCain needed a clear win to overcome Obama's recent edge in the polls, and the state of the economy being attached to the party in the White House. He didn't get it.
In this debate, even a tie would go to Obama.
Obama, on the other hand, appeared presidential and even magnanimous in citing areas in which he thought "John" was right. He went toe-to-toe with McCain -- on the economy, but also on McCain's strength, which is foreign policy.
Obama should have been vulnerable on that front, especially considering his fumbling reaction to the Russian invasion of Georgia. But McCain appeared either tired or too unwilling to attack his opponent.
Even on the economy, McCain laid off -- when he could have cited Obama's ties to failed mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
McCain's gambit last week to abandon his campaign and go to Washington to be part of the action on the bailout initially caught Obama flat-footed. But McCain did nothing, at least publicly, to indicate any leadership on the issue. Observers say he said almost nothing at a White House summit.
The conclusion that most folks will draw from that is that McCain's trip to Washington, and his dramatic move to seek a delay in last Friday's debate, was nothing more than a gimmick.
Now, at least one poll puts McCain behind by eight points, and absent a major gaffe by Obama in the final two debates, or a haymaker from McCain, Obama may be able to run out the clock.
Indeed, Obama insiders now reportedly believe a landslide Electoral College victory is possible.
That puts even greater pressure on McCain running mate Sarah Palin to score points against Democratic nominee Joe Biden in Thursday's vice-presidential debate. Since her initial introduction and the frenzy over her, the media have done their best to pick her apart -- and doubts have crept in even in the Republican camp over whether she's up to the challenge.
Last Friday's debate was underwhelming and indecisive. But that helps the candidate who's ahead.
Comments
The only response about McCain not mentioning Obama's ties to FM/F is to say check how many ties McCain has in his campaign...they both have way too many ties.
McCain sponsored legislation to reel in the FM's that was defeated by the Democrats. Obama worked as a community organizer leading protests against banks that didn't loan to marginal borrowers. McCain should aggressively attack Obama on the true cause of the financial crisis.
A poll can be made to show whatever the person with a calculator wants it to show!
Copperhead, Obama doesn't want any sunshine on the FM/FM situation.
McCain's campaign manager's lobbying group pulled in more than $2 million from FM. McCain can't aggressively attack on that issue. He's too dirty himself.
The debate impressed me from all three sides. McCain did come across as an informed leader, Obama was not only eloquent, but didn't do a lot of stammering or use a lot of "pacer" words and Lehrer didn't even try to swing the debate in Obama's direction. If it weren't for the HUGE Obama promotion by the far left press after the debate, there wouldn't have been any perception of a clear winner.
ACORN has contributed over $20million to Obama and many times that lobbying the subprime loans.
Reaching for straws now, patriciathomas? McCain's strategy now is to blame Obama for the economic crisis. Although McCain vowed to suspend his campaign until a deal was done, he understood how unrealistic and unpresidential that was. To save face, his answer is to blame Obama. I think everyone is tired of that kind of politics. Expect Jeremiah Wright adds anyday.
McCain likes to cast himself as a principled maverick willing to take on all comers as he puts his country first. He seems dangerously reckless and erratic though as he lurches from one stunt to another in search of a game changer.
why expect Obama's associates to be mentioned shivas? what he did and what he does outside of the campaign has no bearing on who Obama is.
Obama is an example of what it means to be the best made puppet the Democrat machinery could possibly devise...They have pulled a man who has obvious ties to the underbelly of criminal and racist world to rise like a phoenix to his followers...His followers are so blinded by his acting abilities that they fail to see him for the con-artist underneath all the glitz and glamor....A vote for Obama will be a vote to further this country demise into such a weaken foundation as to allow our enemies full control over our nation...
Deep down, I think the Chronicle really likes Obama and would not mind seeing him as President. Either that or they really hate McInsane and realize what a disaster he would be as President. For the most part, I agree with their debate assessment. Partisans on both sides thought each candidate could and should have hammered the other more. I really thought it was a tie on substance points with McCain doing better than expected on the economy and Obama doing better on foreign policy. In the end, it came down to style points and Obama came out ahead because he looked more Presidential and McCain could not even look at Obama. McCain came off as a condescending petulant old man. And for those reasons Obama was the big winner and why he will be the next President of the United States.
McCain's judgement comes into play. Picking a vice presidential candidate in the 11th hour that seems to be unqualified, suspending his campaign and stating that he will not show up until a deal is done, and showed up with the deal undone. He has been in Congress and the senate for 25 years, most people know that legislation will take more than two days to pass. He took credit on Sunday for a deal that failed on Monday. I don't want my president to reckless and unstable.
McCain's judgement comes into play. Picking a vice presidential candidate in the 11th hour that seems to be unqualified, suspending his campaign and stating that he will not show up until a deal is done, and showed up with the deal undone. He has been in Congress and the senate for 25 years, most people know that legislation will take more than two days to pass. He took credit on Sunday for a deal that failed on Monday. I don't want my president to reckless and unstable.
I don't think we can call Fox News the far left press. The "criminal and racist underground." Classic. Now, if you can just talk about him being controlled by aliens that would really set the record straight. Very funny.
That editorial is worthless, it is also McCain's race to lose. Last poll I saw, the were virtually tied. Analysis of the debates say there was no clear winner. As putt pointed out, one can make stats and polls to appear as you wish. I have more faith in this country than to think it's citizens will put Obamaman in charge of it.
McCain picking Sarah as his VP is said to be a judgement problem of McCain. NObama picks NObiden, the 36yr Senator & gaffe machine, and that shows good judgement by NObama. You've got to be kidding. Reckless and unstaable? NObama says call me if you need me. He doesn't want to have to be there to make a decision and wouldn't be able to vote present.
The only poll that I paid any attention to came in in the first 30 minutes after the debate. Those Results? Who Won The Debate? 84%-McCain---14%-Obama---1%-Undecided. After that the Liberal Ballyhoo Bandwagon put all of the Numbers on Speed- dial. As for the USA Today Poll well, Need I say More. As for all of these LIBERAL Articles In the AC... So much for those Cry Baby Liberals Calling the AC Conservative/Republican. The Only thing the Articles Didn't Say, was that the authors were Spewing Flaming Democrats. Shame On You AC!!!!!!
Obama made a POOR SHOWING in the debate; he was not able to come up with anything original, which is why he constantly stated that McCain was right. The debate favors McCain, NOT Obama.
The doom and gloom, sky is falling bombardment from the news media makes people not to even want to go out of the house. The leftist media has pounded away at Gov. Palin and John McCain. No wonder the polls show a win for Obama. However, let us remember that the media gave up John McCain for dead last summer in the Republican primary race. and he came back to win. A famous former New York Yankee catcher said, "It ain't over til it's over." I'll believe Obama to be the President when I see it on Nov. 5, the day after the election. The one good thing that can happen if Obama does win this thing is that the Dems won't have a scape goat any more when Obama screws things up. According to the gloom and doom media who say the Republicans are finished, Obama will have a Dem Congress and be able to appoint his liberal judges to the Supreme Court. As Richard Nixon said after he lost the California governor's race before he was finally elected President in 1968, "They won't have me to kick around any more!"
The debate only shows one side of a candidate and are really worthless. It shows who is the best orator, but does not show who has the best judgment, character, and integrity - all top qualifications for leadership and all lacking in Obama. It's a shame some people will make their decision on oratorical skills, but that's the way people are. We need a workhorse, not a show horse for President and McCain is a workhorse!
I wonder where you bought your republican leaning television from? It must show only positive things about republicans? You watched a different debate than most Americans.
brimisjoshan
You are a sick person advocating someone assasinate Barack simply because he is black. Hopefully, the FBI will investigate you.
I did not advocate that at all. I just said it was possible. I love black people and would not want anyone hurt nor would I want their to be racial tensions. You totally misunderstood me
The Chronicle's editorial staff, and most of you, must have been watching a different debate. Obama didn't go out on any limbs, but it was the first debate, and I wouldn't expect him to. But he successfully countered McCain at every turn, came off well-prepared and calm, and took his opponent to task for his tax cuts, absurd proposals for spending freezes, etc. Not only that, but Obama DIRECTLY addressed McCain at several points, none of which saw the GOP senator meet his gaze. We've still got two to go, but Obama clearly won this one.
The sad thing about this election is that people are bringing up "race" and "age" as an issue. Divided America is what the Russian, Chinese, and other nations want. I work with people from other countries and they are estastic that America is having problems. They are not loyal to America and they would be the first to tell you that they are only here to make money and drain the country of its resources. So why we argue over issues such as "race" or "age" of a candidate the rest of the world are laughing at us and hoping America fail. I tell them despite our problems, don't underestimate America.
This is the first time I've ever seen the AC editorial staff say anything about McCain. They usually denounce Obama. I have repeatedly asked them to write something, anything about the other candidate (McCain). One would think that since they appear to detest Obama, they would try to at least paint a rosey picture of McCain, especially since readers are tired of the one-sided negative editorials about Obama. This is the best they can come up with! I guess they are in a unique position of never having to say they are sorry for anything they said about Obama, while not really being able to fully support McCain. They finally speak on McCain, but this time they bring out weaknesses without bashing him as they did Obama for so long. I guess this is their version of flip flopping on a who they want to back for president.
Since when are people supposed to be fair and balanced. Everybody has made their choice and they feel strongly about it. Let us just get this election over with. If McCain wins then we will just have to deal with it but Obama wins we will have to lock him away for 4 years.
The Chronicle said something nice about Obama? Will wonders never cease? However, Obama's ties to Freddie and Fannie are far weaker than McCain's, that's why McCain didn't go down that path.
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