It is interesting to hear the first debate between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. I say hearing as I was on the road and listened to the debate on the radio.
Remember back in 1960, those who listened to the first debate between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon felt Nixon won, but those who watched it felt Kennedy won.
On substance, McCain clearly showed his experience. His points just flowed with passion and conviction. While Obama did not make any major gaffes, he sounded as if he crammed for a big high school or college exam. His points were devoid of any passion or conviction.
To underscore Obama's lack of experience and real conviction, the moment came when McCain mentioned a bracelet he wore with a fallen soldier's name. Obama then jumped in and said that he, too, wore a bracelet. Then he fumbled around and had to read the name. Jim Geraghty at National Review Online felt it was a "Bush (George H. W. Bush) looking at his watch moment."
This was clearly John McCain's debate. Although he came out ahead, he passed up a lot of opportunities to run away with it (like mentioning Obama's taking the Georgia/Russia matter to the United Nations where Russia has a veto on the Security Council).
{{{{DRUDGE POLL}}}} WHO WON THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE?...
MCCAIN
68% 229,654
OBAMA
30% 100,693
NEITHER
2% 8,249
Total Votes: 338,596
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