Obama v. McCain, Act II

Debate part deux!

The paid punditry say McCain needs a game changer. I hope so, because the game recently has looked a lot like Cubs v. Dodgers, game four. Oh wait, there wasn't a game four.

Townhall setting should be McCain's strength. It's his bag. We shall see.

1. John McCain rarely looks comfortable when he talks to a group, but gotta say, question one, he does look very comfortable in this setting and his first answer was strong.
2. Who's running the cameras on this thing? How hard is it to focus on the front of a speaker?
3. Doesn't it kind of hurt Obama's argument to keep saying, "I called for this, and nothing happened." "I wrote a letter about that, and they ignored it."
4. How can we trust you, either of you??? Great question!
5. I don't say this because I'm pulling for McCain, but it really seems like McCain is much better at listening to a question and giving a more savvy answer. Example: a nice woman complains about partisanship, Obama blames Bush; McCain talks about his work to be bipartisan. Obama is a very good politician, but sometimes really demonstrates a tin ear.
6. I find it mildly offensive that Obama likens our need to be more energy efficient with our need to remember 9/11 and prevent another terrorist attack. Apples to oranges doesn't begin to do that comparison justice.
7. McCain finally gives an empassioned answer on the economy. Well done.
8. Tom's getting annoyed that no one is paying attention to his rules.
9. A comment from National Review's Jonah Goldberg: "To liven things up, I think they should release an angry pitbull on the stage and require McCain, Obama and Brokaw to do their schtick while running for their lives."
10. Poor Tom Brokaw. He's like the professor in Animal House. "I'm not joking. This is my job."
11. Who needs a debate? A bowl of candy corn just arrived in my living room.
    
12. Did you see this today? She's a hoot.
    
13. Did I mention the candy corn?
14. And now, a question from Mr. O. "Are you my mother?"
15. That last question on Israel is a good one. A very good one.
16. I didn't know that "zen-like" meant "dumb."
    
17. The two closing statements were both very them.

McCain showed more energy and charisma than I've seen; Obama was his usual, steady self. A boring debate and no game changer, I don't think.