Politics. Obama-McCain Third Debate. My Impressions.

First of all, these guys must be quite relieved that they have come to the end of debates for this election year. I believe that Obama took part in more than twenty debates and McCain around sixteen. The road to the White House is, indeed, fraught with danger. Who wants to wake up in the morning and know that people have been on the attack overnight? But politicians seem to have a good level of equanimity that is essential for their survival in the political arena. I find this to be very true with Obama. He is not flustered, not angered, and certainly very well-composed in his delivery plus he preaches his gospel in a well-modulated voice. Obama is also highly-educated, with degrees from Columbia and Harvard. In the beginning, I felt that he was seriously lacking in experience to be running for President, but I am no longer convinced of that. After more than a year of campaigning, now in October, Obama has captured the hopes, dreams, and support of most Americans amidst unrelenting fire from his opponents. Anyone who can successfully pass through this gauntlet, this ring of fire, is certainly entitled to take the helm and steer the ship.

Senator McCain, who I supported prior to his appointing of animal-killer Palin as his VP, is a genuine American hero. No one can question his military service and pedigree. His suffering as a POW is heroic. This is why I supported him. However, now, I do question whether biography can get us out of an economic mess. I also question McCain's relationship with Charles Keating, giving him preferential treatment and protection during the Savings & Loans debacle. I further question McCain's well-known support for deregulation of lending institutions. This has to be a major contributor to the economic collapse we are seeing now. Let's not forget, he declared that the economy was in good shape just days before the floor caved in. This man is out of touch, or chose to ignore the writings on the wall. I don't question his choice of VP because I am already convinced that for all the talk about " Country First " McCain placed party politics ahead of national security. His choice meant that he would rather win an election than keep the country safe.

As for the debates, I saw a man of ideas and vision face off with a crusted opponent from the old regime, one who became increasingly angry. Last night, Obama spoke directly to us while McCain spoke to Bob Schieffer. This is something that the celebrated political pundits missed in their post-debate analysis. I felt that Obama, staring into the lens, spoke to us directly while McCain pleaded his case with the moderator. Obama treated the debate as an opportunity to speak directly to us while Senator McCain so it as propitious time to attack his opponent. A tactical blunder by McCain. He had his last chance to address a national audience, and he flubbed it. There must be thousands of people who feel the same way I do. And why does McCain come across as an angry man in debates? Because he IS an angry man. Have you forgotten that several years ago McCain's stigmatic bad temper cost him the nomination? Have you forgotten that McCain afterwards, full of anger, only begrudgingly endorsed George W. Bush for President? A sore loser, he is, for one thing. Senator McCain strikes me as someone who has a very low tolerance for dissenting opinions, suggestions, and the possibility that other people might have the right answer. Obama seems more circumspect and approachable. He operates in cooler temperatures with the utmost conviction. And as far as trust in government is concerned, McCain is not the one to bring that back.

Finally, a CNN poll indicated that 58% of people felt Barack Obama won the debate, compared to 31% who felt that John McCain performed better. Furthermore, the poll showed that the majority felt Obama would do a better job on the economy, health care, and taxes. Obama was more likable and the stronger leader according to those polled.

I found this video to be interesting: