Last night’s debate confirmed something for me: Barack Obama is a very good politician, certainly better from a technical standpoint than John McCain. Both he and McCain performed well. But Obama was able repeatedly to deflect hard-hitting criticism with a smile or an answer that sounded good. (McCain apparently lacks the verbal dexterity to ask the penetrating follow-up question.)
Though ties ordinarily go to the aggressor (which in this case would be the Arizona senator), Obama wins because he didn’t lose, at least in the eyes of a public that clearly wants the Republicans out of the White House.
Barring a major tectonic change in our country over the next 19 days, Obama will win the presidency. His ascension will mean that most Americans don’t care all that much about:
— proven character and personal heroism;
— a track record of significant accomplishment;
— raising taxes on “the rich” during a recession;
— a bloated government taking and redistributing even more of the nation’s wealth;
— continued high gas prices;
— the unborn; and
— their presidents having significant ties to convicted felons, hate-filled preachers, former domestic terrorists, and voter registration groups up to their petitions in corruption.
That makes me sad for our country. Agreed, John McCain is a flawed candidate. But I’d rather have him and his experience than the personable, smooth-talking liberal from Chicago.
