Second Presidential Debate Showdown

The second presidential debate took place in Belmont University's Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Former NBC news reporter and commentator Tom Brokaw, was the moderator for the evening.

As both candidates walked out Senator McCain made sure to shake Senator Obama's hand a few seconds longer than the first debate. Maybe he heard how unpleasant and grumpy he appeared to viewers during the first debate, and decided to make a conscious effort to change his demeanor? 

The first question went to Obama with the moderator asking, how he felt about the billion dollar bailout in which Obama broke down the fundamentals of the plan, but expressed how the Bush administration has yet to exercise the use of the bailout funds for mortgages to help Americans stay in their homes. 

Obama stating the latter is actually very important, since part of the reason for passing the bill was to help people stay in their homes. Why wasn't the mortgage crisis dealt with immediately after the bill passage?

John McCain was also asked about his thoughts on the bailout bill, and it was interesting that he chose to speak on on the greed and cronyism within Washington that needed to be stopped. 

As the debate proceeded McCain seemed to relax and he tried to remain relaxed, even as Obama consistently tied him to George Bush. Every time the Illinois senator took aim and fired, John McCain appeared to fidget a bit.

Trying to connect on a personal level with the audience the Arizona senator often violated the persons space, by walking right up on them and speaking loud while pointing aggressively in their faces. I understand he was trying to be passionate and empathetic, but his movements came across as menacing. 

More often than not, did you notice whenever McCain addressed the audience after Obama did, he often used the same words that Obama himself used such as, "cynicism" and "eliminating programs that don't work."  

John McCain expressed to the American people that he intends to fix the country by, "getting a group of really smart people." 

The senator can hire whomever he deems to be "a smart group of people", but at the end of the day he at least needs to be smart enough to call the final shot, period. Otherwise, what would be the use of working with smart people, if you aren't smart enough to know who you should listen to?

Tom Brokaw asked McCain, "What will you do within the first two years of being president in regards to the environment?" 

The old war veteran began his regular campaign speech and then went full throttle, spewing out anything he felt the audience wanted to hear.  It almost felt like you were witnessing an old senile man forget his point half the time, while frantically saying anything to try and get a rise out of the crowd.

Moreover the debate became quite heated as Obama said McCain was "naive" and "simply doesn't get it."   

Senator Obama pressed on with his argument saying, "Yea, I don't understand why we would invade Iraq when there was no evidence of weapons of mass destruction." 

Obama's heated rhetoric left John McCain at a lost for words and with an obvious anger, an anger so obvious that he lashed out at Obama over his tax policy and even pointed at him while using the words, "That one over there," as if Obama suddenly didn't have a name. 

And the Illinois senator countered back by repeating his tax policy clearly to the audience and stating that his tax cuts will be for 95 percent of Americans. Obama continued "If you make less then 250 thousand dollars your taxes will not increase. As for small businesses, most do not make over 250 thousand dollars annually, showing that small business taxes would not be raised either."

What did I learn from this Second debate?

1. I learned that McCain makes horrible jokes.

2. I learned that even though McCain stated he worked on an energy bill for 30 years, as Obama pointed out, he's been in the senate for 26 of those 30 years, obviously his efforts haven't done much.

3. I learned that McCain only knows about war, as he will be another war president like Bush.

4. I learned that McCain can't think for himself.

5. I learned that Obama will be our next president.

6. I learned McCain is angry and bitter.

7. I learned that the bailout bill isn't being used to help the American people at all.

8. I learned McCain and Sarah Palin, have a lot in common with not understanding questions -- therefore not answering them.

9. I learned that it's hard for moderators to establish full control in presidential and vice presidential debates.

10. I learned that Senator McCain and his wife are sore losers; at the end of the debate Obama extended his hand to McCain in which he didn't accept his hand -- so Obama shook his wife's hand instead. Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain never looked at each other and never spoke. Tension you think? 

Senator Obama and his wife Michelle, remained behind to speak with audience members who had questions -- while the McCain's hijacked it outta there!

The debate scores on CNN polls came in as Obama winning (56%) to McCain's (30%). But if you want to get technical here is the actual breakdown:  

1. 65% to 28% of viewers thought Obama was more likable during the debate. 


2. 54% to 43% of viewers thought Obama seemed to be the stronger leader during the debate. 


3. 57% to 25% of viewers thought Obama was more intelligent. 


4. 60% to 30% thought Obama more clearly expressed his views. 


5. 63% of viewers thought John McCain went more on the attack, verses 17% of viewers who thought Obama was on the attack.

Round 3! Ding!

2008 LA