A Look at the October 15, 2008 Debate
Moderator Bob Schieffer the Clear Winner of a Contentious Debate
The credit for that goes to moderator Bob Schieffer, who pulled off the most difficult task of the exceedingly difficult task of having both candidates actually debate each other.
Schieffer was far more effective than either Jim Lehrer, who simply lost control of the first debate, or Tom Brokaw, who was visibly annoyed by both candidates. The main difference between Schieffer and the other moderators was Schieffer’s willingness to allow both candidates ample time to answer questions, but still challenging both candidates with thorough follow-up questions.
Too bad Schieffer isn’t running for president.
Schieffer was the only clear winner of this final debate, except for the now infamous “Joe the Plumber,” as neither candidate established himself as the clear victor. This helps Senator Barack Obama much more than Senator John McCain, who desperately needed a rousing victory to resuscitate his campaign.
A Difference in Emotions
The most obvious difference between the two candidates was emotional. McCain, clearly agitated throughout the debate, spoke with passion and raw emotion, abandoning his faux folksiness from the previous debate.
McCain was visibly angry for certain portions of the debate, particularly when he mentioned the letter Congressman John Lewis wrote comparing his campaign tactics to George Wallace, the inflammatory former presidential candidate and segregationist. He demanded, twice, that Obama repudiate the comparison, despite Obama already having done so before the debate.
Obama was calm and cool, a perplexed smile on his face for a good portion of the evening. He responded directly to some of McCain’s attacks and ignored others but always maintained an almost supernatural serenity.
Did McCain Push Too Hard?
McCain was the aggressor in this debate, clearly (and effectively) trying to put Obama on the defensive. Unfortunately, McCain pushed too hard on a couple of issues.
The clearest example of this happened when McCain mentioned William Ayers, the former member of the Weather Underground group and an acquaintance of Obama in Chicago. This tactic only reinforced criticisms of McCain’s campaign about how he diverts attention away from more important issues.
The other example happened during the abortion discussion, in which McCain labeled Obama as “pro-abortion.” He used the phrase a couple of times, eschewing the more accurate label of “pro-choice.” The term pro-abortion creates both a negative connotation in the minds of voters and creates a false link between Obama and abortion. It was another example of McCain trying to appeal to the most Republicans, one that reflected poorly on him.
Obama’s Response
Obama played this final debate like a football team with a small lead in the fourth quarter; conservatively running the ball and only passing on third and long. This was the smart move to make, as it didn’t give McCain any more ammunition.
The Democratic candidate chose to not attack Governor Sarah Palin when prompted by Schieffer, avoiding any controversy that might come from the action (like the misinterpreted lipstick on a pig moment). Obama also didn’t go after McCain for his prior relationship with Charles Keating, showing his ability to take the high road on such issues.
The debate was like a Road Runner cartoon, with Wile E. Coyote trying to drop an ACME anvil on the elusive Road Runner, only to have the anvil fall on his head instead.
With just three weeks left until the election, and early voting already commencing in several states, McCain did not get the huge victory needed to push himself into the White House.
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