September 26, 2008 marked the first in a series of three Presidential Debates between Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama. It was truly an interesting exchange, and America is now focused on how each fared in their first televised face to face encounter.
There was obvious tension in the air between both candidates, tension that was evident in the fact that neither chose to address the other directly until we were approximately 10 minutes into the debate, and even then the direct engagements were sparse. In fact, the first direct encounter came in the form of a comment with a biting tone directed at Senator McCain from Senator Obama who'd addressed the veteran Senator by his first name. McCain, in turn, responded with congressional professionalism, but maintained the courtesy of addressing Senator Obama by his title.
The questions appeared to be primarily centered around the economy and its impact on our nation. So the question is, how did the candidates do with the questions?
When asked if the present state of the economy will have an impact of things each candidate wants to achieve, the responses were fairly evasive of both sides. Senator McCain suggested a spending freeze on everything except for defense, veterans, and entitlements. Of course this response begs the question of what is considered to be an entitlement. Still, McCain's response was typically conservative and expected. Senator Obama, on the other hand appeared to be caught off guard by the question. His, Obama's, response was more in tune with the economy driving the what could be with regards to components of his purposed programs. Obama's response gave the impression that he was not certain of how he would adjust his plan. In honestly, the question was ambiguous, and based in conjecture. One really does not know how our nation's volatile economy will impact anyone or anything until the bridge is approached. Still, from the aspect of points, Senator McCain appeared better prepared to answer this question, and as a result, out scored Senator Obama.
The question of the economy turned to taxes. Traditionally, Republicans have used taxes as the ace in the hole in any game of political poker played against highly formable Democratic opponents. McCain was no exception to this rule. Senator McCain attacked Senator Obama as one who would tax the rich, but in doing so, Senator McCain attacked Senator Obama's definition of "Rich". The implication being that Senator Obama plans to raise taxes on the middle class as well as the overly wealthy. Senator Obama responded by siting the voting record of the veteran senator, identifying Senator McCain's support for numerous tax loop holes which created fiscal safe havens for the upper one percent of the American population. In this exchange, both candidates were fairly even. America, allow me to say something. Every four years we hear the same song and dance about the tax and spend liberals, and the love the wealthy conservatives. For me, personally, taxes are not what drive my voting decision simply because I do not feel any of our politicians have a clue about how to fix the tax code. This is just my personal opinion, but I feel that the argument about taxes is nothing more than empty rhetoric on both sides of the isles. Let us move on.
The war in Iraq too center stage, and proved to be an extremely contentious topic of discussion. Senator McCain waged the argument about the troop surge and how Senator Obama was wrong in his assessment of the probability of success. In the same light, Senator Obama pointed to the fact that Senator McCain himself under estimated the amount of US involvement, and the reception of our forces in the eyes of the world. America, my time to chime in. Both men are right on this one. We know that our nation was lied to in an effort to provide justification for the invasion of Iraq. There were no Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Saddam Hussein was little more than hot air blowing in the Santa Ana winds. We realize that George Bush fabricated a story to justify going after than man who threatened to kill his father. We know that George Bush lied about American occupation in Iraq. we realize that it was the failed policies of George Bush that caused an escalation of violence in Iraq, thus creating the requirement to send extra troops in the first place. The fact of the matter is, we now have a big mess to clean up. Regardless of which said you cling to in this election, Iraq is not going to be a quick fix. The argument of who is right and who is wrong is irrelevant.
So what is the bottom line America? The bottom line is this:
We witnessed an incredible exchange between two opposing, yet unique individuals. We observed the experienced veteran maverick against the young, idealistic visionary. Be it not for the election, I humbly feel that both men can come together, merge ideals, and set our nation on the right track to success. In order to do so, both must overcome those demons standing in their paths. Senator McCain's experience is a blessing, but it can also be a curse. Remember, G.W. Bush had years of Washington experience and look at the mess he has us in now. Senator Obama needs to get beyond his posture of self righteousness, and focus on what is right for the people as a whole. Remember, we have had inexperienced Presidents before in Bill Clinton, John F Kennedy, Gerald Ford and others. What each of those individuals had in common was a willingness to listen and adapt, and they were humble.
Senator McCain made a remark about his not having his seal yet. That one statement said more than most students do in a 6000 word essay. Remember, this is an election, and both men have yet to achieve the votes required to earn the seal.
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