Third Presidential Debate

Am I allowed to say McCain was "feisty" during tonight's final presidential debate or is that ageism? Because if I can't say that I'd like instead to say his head resembles a thumb. An angry thumb.

He was on the offensive tonight and easily jabbed Obama three times more than Obama jabbed him, although that sapped precious time from McCain telling me why exactly I should vote for him. Other than repeating the so-good-it-helped-Bush-Senior-get-elected Republican chestnut that the Democrat Candidate Will Surely Raise Taxes, McCain's jabs were, I think, over mostly petty stuff, like specific Senate votes from years ago, the bullshit over ACORN, the now-infamous $3 million "projector" and the fact that Ayers is apparently living in Obama's guesthouse. Stuff like the latter is ridiculous to me. Which association impacts Americans more: Obama's passing association with a hippie who blew up some stuff when Obama was eight or that McCain appears to be in the pocket of the American petrochemical lobby? I'm not sure, but I wonder if all those little half-truth (or no-truth) chips at Obama's character could spider out into greater damage, especially among that very special bloc of voters already wary about an apparent Negro running for president.

I relished in hearing the candidates' stumble-through answers on some of the questions I don't think they were fully prepared to expect: about how great their veep's would be as president, the whole Abortion Issue and the negative campaigning (ironically, the discussion for which became a series of attack ads).

Maybe I'm a saphead, but I tend to lean towards Obama because he's better spoken, better composed and seemingly more idealistic than McCain. These factors alone do not make him more qualified but would make him the better leader. (Don't even get me started on things like how McCain has mightier foreign policy experience because he's traveled to foreign countries and often drops the name of General Petraeus.) I tried to think: if the candidates' messages stayed exactly the same, but their styles, mannerisms or even looks were swapped, would I find myself favoring McCain? And I don't think I would.

For the final question, after gently pointing out that our education system has produced the stupidest people in the world, moderator Bob Schieffer of CBS pointed out "the implications of this are clearly obvious." Yes, I thought: wait until election day.

Vice-Presidential Debate

Notes on the Biden-Palin Vice Presidential Debate:

In the hour beforehand, we warmed-up by watching Hole in the Wall, otherwise known as So You Think You Can Fit Through This Hole? or American Hole (A-Hole, to its fans). It occurred to me later that I, like most of America, watched this game-show for the same reason as the debate: to see someone make an ass of herself on national television.

• Which I don’t think happened, necessarily. (In the debate, at least. There was plenty of Fail during Hole in the Wall. Also, a catfight.) In the sense that Palin clearly had been sent to Debate Boot Camp, sharpened her memorization skills and came armed with a bandolier of 100 4x6 college-ruled index cards full of comebacks and sound bites.
• Biden said “fundamental” (in various forms) eleven times.
• Biden shouldn’t refer to himself in the third person. Bob Dole knows where that got Bob Dole: hawking Viagra.
• Palin catchphrases: “surge,” “maverick,” “energy,” “Alaska” and “family.”
• Both oversaid: “troops.” Also “Wall Street”—everyone loves an easy villain.
• Both love: Jews (of voting age). And, via Palin, “...we both love Israel.”
• What wasn’t mentioned that surprised me: terrorism (within America) or religion (although God was invoked to thank, give blessing and forbid).
• Palin’s so cute, the way she drops the g’s from her present participle verbs (“bringin’,” “cravin’,” etc.) She’s America’s li’l dumplin’.
• We also appreciated her potential double-entendres, including but not limited to “surge,” “early withdrawal,” “drill,” “hungry,” “raping,” “cravin’” and “Bush administration.”
• I bet Vincent $5 that Palin wouldn’t say “hockey mom.” She did, within the first 15 minutes of the debate. As well as “soccer game” and “Joe Six-Pack.”
• I liked this Palin commentary from two ladies among our viewing group:
  

  Megan: She’s, like, coming on to America.
  Kelly: [faux girlish glee] She got highlights!

• We played Palin Bingo. Andie won, but I challenge the first of her two bingos. Suggested by my notes and confirmed by the transcript, Palin never said “job creation.” She did say “so that jobs can be created here,” “create jobs” and “fewer jobs being created.”

Who do I think “won” the debate? Although still weak in substance and (at times) coherence, Palin came off as charming, folksy and more prepared than during her interviews with Katie Couric, which will appeal to certain voters (hockey moms and Joe Six-Packs?). Everyone loves a comeback. (I don’t know if it was chance or Rovian machinations to have an ill-prepared Palin agree to those interviews, but because of them, the media’s been ignoring Biden to deluge Palin with coverage and commentary.)

Biden came off as polished and presented more facts about what his party’s presidency would bring to the table.

And both candidates left unanswered questions or shoehorned in points they wanted to make no matter what was asked of them. These debates are about soundbites and image; by those criteria, it was a tie.