Post Debate Response

Here's Josh Marshall's initial reaction to the debate. As many will note, Marshall's opinion is one I highly respect. What he's done with TPM is amazing. He is definitely the case study for American media in the early 21st century. With that said, I do have to disagree with Josh.

I think Obama was much more passive than he could have been. He should have related McCain to George Bush much more harshly and frequently especially in relation to economics. I also understand there's two more debates left. Two debates where Obama can hatch up his attacks. But Obama missed quite a few chances to hammer McCain, especially on his support for George Bush and his failures.

Given that McCain chickened out of the debates on Wednesday and no one knew if he was even going to show, I think that limited Obama somewhat. McCain, however, didn't appear as a hot head or as a right wing nut job, unless you want to consider his constant reference to out of control spending, compared to what he's been on the campaign stump this last year. I don't see this as a draw like Josh does. I see McCain with clear advantage in tonight's debate. He demonstrated his experience for the office and he demonstrated his ability to grasp some very important foreign policy issues. Does that mean I agree with McCain? No way. It just means that McCain appeared, to me, to look more presidential than Obama tonight.

If we are going to make this about change than Obama must highlight that change. He must highlight how McCain is four more years of the same and how McCain today is not the McCain of 2000. I didn't see that distinction tonight from Obama. I didn't see Obama's promise of hope and a better tomorrow. I saw a McCain that was steadfast in his policies and his plan for the next four years. Again, I'll say, there are two more debates left. Obama has plenty of time to pick up slack. His next debate must continue the message that McCain is cut from the same mold of a GOP George Bush. That McCain not only presided over a Republican Congress that has put us in the mess we are in today but that McCain also is the guy who admits to supporting Bush more than any other member of Congress.

That's my take. After a few beers of course.