Photo: Adam Nagourney, New York TimesAt this point, with the momentum in this campaign clearly headed in Obama's direction, I expected McCain to take the fight to his opponent - relentlessly criticizing Obama's record and rebutting the numerous questionable points he made throughout this debate. McCain had other plans. He apparently decided that a town hall format wasn't the appropriate venue for such a clash. I can't count how many golden opportunities to pummel Obama fell into McCain's lap. He declined each opportunity, frequently digressing into his same old monologue about duty, honor, etc. He's been there, done that already. That won't help him at this point in the race. He would have been better served by slamming Obama as inexperienced and naive.
McCain was right to point out repeatedly that Obama has never challenged his own party leadership, but that fact alone won't win votes - nor persuade Obama voters to stay home. On the other hand, trashing the singular basis for Obama's candidacy - his so-called decision-making ability, by bringing up his devious relationships with Ayers, Wright, etc. will.
McCain too often reverted to the lazy comfort of talking points, when he should have taken the initiative and skewered Obama on spending, taxes, meeting with dictators, etc. I noticed a couple of times where McCain began to tread into this territory (i.e. "you'll raise taxes on small business"), but not in the context of a major, anger-driven knockout punch that might have closed the gap in the polls.
McCain's mediocre and frankly, boring performance in debate #2 will not help him. If anything, it may hurt him, as Obama, the young and inexperienced newcomer, has easily weathered McCain's second-to-last chance to sink him. If McCain doesn't destroy Obama in the third and final debate, he may as well go back home to Arizona and start writing his concession speech.
McCain was right to point out repeatedly that Obama has never challenged his own party leadership, but that fact alone won't win votes - nor persuade Obama voters to stay home. On the other hand, trashing the singular basis for Obama's candidacy - his so-called decision-making ability, by bringing up his devious relationships with Ayers, Wright, etc. will.
McCain too often reverted to the lazy comfort of talking points, when he should have taken the initiative and skewered Obama on spending, taxes, meeting with dictators, etc. I noticed a couple of times where McCain began to tread into this territory (i.e. "you'll raise taxes on small business"), but not in the context of a major, anger-driven knockout punch that might have closed the gap in the polls.
McCain's mediocre and frankly, boring performance in debate #2 will not help him. If anything, it may hurt him, as Obama, the young and inexperienced newcomer, has easily weathered McCain's second-to-last chance to sink him. If McCain doesn't destroy Obama in the third and final debate, he may as well go back home to Arizona and start writing his concession speech.
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