It’s too early to say who won the debate
September 27th, 2008 at 10:08am Pat Cunningham
 
The question of determining the winner of any presidential debate is a tricky business — far, far more tricky than you might suspect.
It has almost nothing to do with the reactions of us partisans who long ago made up our minds as to whom we’ll be voting for and are not going to be dissuaded in that regard.
In that sense, if and when I ever form an opinion on whether it was John McCain or Barack Obama who clearly won last night’s debate at Ole Miss, it will be based on my reading of lasting impressions among other voters. And it’s still too early for such a reading.
Joe Klein of Time magazine SAYS he thinks Obama won. But he adds that “these debates are won, or lost, on style and perceptions of character—not substance,” and that this one, like all debates, “will need to be digested, discussed around the water cooler and the dinner table” by others.
Such discussions in the days after a debate often focus on aspects that some observers didn’t consciously notice while watching the encounter. Some of those aspects become the focus of media reports, which in turn can influence the thoughts of ordinary folks.
For example, it was only later that much was made of the fact that George H.W. Bush looked at his watch during one of his debates with Bill Clinton in 1992. The interpretation attached to that gesture was that Bush was uncomfortable and wanted the ordeal to end. He lost the election.
The same kind of negative connotation might eventually be attached to the fact that McCain avoided eye contact with Obama last night — as if out of loathing or fear. Little things like that — little body-language quirks — can spawn lasting impressions in voters’Â minds.
Quickie POLLS by CBS and CNN after last night’s debate showed a plurality or a majority giving the nod to Obama, but the percentages could shift in the coming days — especially given the fact that neither candidate landed a knockout blow or committed a terrible gaffe.
Meanwhile, varying verdicts from pundits can be found HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE.
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4 Comments Add your own
1. Helen | September 27th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
John McCain is something other than a Maverick he is an arrogant, sarcastic individual who does not deserve to be the president.
As a business woman for many years, I learned that body language tells more than words. McCain’s body language last night said to Obama, that you are a non-person and are not here with me.
I cannot imagine a president of the United States acting so poorly as McCain did last night. I can just see him acting that way to a foreign dignitary.
He was a sarcastic, arrogant (you know what) to Mit Romney at the last Republican debate. This says so much about the little “man’s” true character.
The moderatory should have had the guts to continue to require the “little man” to look at his opponent.
Like they said on TV, he looked old and angry. Perhaps he cannot believe that a young, black man could be arrogant enough to be on stage with him.
2. Uncle Bouncy | September 27th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Clearly McCain won
otherwise Pat would be crowing right now
even Barry agreed “John is right” over and over and over again
3. Craig Knauss | September 27th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
“Clearly McCain won”
Did you even watch it? It wasn’t clear that anybody won. I thought it was a draw and a whole pile of commentators and analysts have said the same thing. The only dissenters were the campaign managers, each of which thought his guy won (if they want to get paid). This should have been McCain’s night since foreign policy was his specialty. Instead it wound up as a tie. That’s good news for Obama and bad news for McCain (and Bouncy).
4. Uncle Bouncy | September 28th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Knauss
Try reading for content
read my entire post
I stand by my comment that Clearly McCain won…and here’s the part to read next…BECAUSE Pat would be crowing right now.
try to keep up with the tour group
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