Is the media drunk?

I rushed out after the debate was finished last night, and only took the opportunity to have a look at media reaction just now. I am seeing all kinds of complaints about how "boring" the debate was, and claims that neither candidate achieved what they needed to or made a major blunder. One politico. com article trumpeted it as "the worst debate ever".

My impression was quite different. I thought overall, the debate was livelier, and the candidates spoke much more directly to the voters and their concerns than in the first debate. Also, I thought Obama came out the clear winner.

I felt Obama scored yet again, and more resoundingly than before with his "Cool Hand Luke" approach. He answered McCain's criticisms assertively, he spoke calmy and reassuringly to a nervous public in the face of cries of an impending financial calamity. He inspired confidence and I believe, effectively conviced the American people that he is on their side and will be a champion of their interests. He looked and felt Presidential.

McCain, on the other hand, I felt did not carry himself at all well. He stood and paced nervously behind Obama seeming barely able to wait his turn to speak. His demeanor did little do dispell the Obama camp's asessment that he is "erratic" under pressure. He was dismissive and patronising not only with Senator Obama, but with the Audience as well. His continual insistence that "I know how to (insert "get Americans working again", "resolve these kinds of conflicts", "deal with these kinds of foreign leaders", etc, etc here)" was little more convincing than a used car salesman's "trust me". His endlessly repetitive reference to the audience as "my friends" seemed more antagonistic than congenial.

Worst of all, I thought, even worse than the "that one" comment that is getting attention on the web today, was his comment about Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to the young black voter who asked him about the bailout or "rescue" package. Mc Cain was carefull generealise all night with statements like "many of you" "many of us" and "many Americans", but when he told this young man that Freddie and Fannie were banks "YOU had probably never heard of" it made me wince and twist in my seat. A truly awkward moment that reeked of codescention, and I'm sure did not go unnoticed by most that watched last night.

So much about this debate, and the McCain campaign overall, has dissapointed me a great deal. I have long felt McCain was the best of the Republican party and it is sad to see him falter in this way.

I don't think my assessment that Obama came out a decisive winner is skewed by partisanship or bias. I remember that although Kerry was on the right side of every isssue in th 04 debates, and made stronger arguments for his positions, I found myself trying to explain to my father after one such debate why I felt he had lost himself the election right then and there. Kerry failed to connect with voters, to give them something to believe in. Last night it was McCain who I felt failed at that (perhaps because he reportedly feels he's been forced to run a kind of campain contrary to what he himself believes in), and Obama who succeeded.