2nd debate scorecard: John McCain faltered, Barack Obama delivered.

October 8, 12:27 PMPolitical Issues ExaminerJudah Freed

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Click here to watch the full debate on C-SPAN

The second presidential debate between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama featured both candidates offering more rhetoric then substance, more talking points than direct answers to questions, and more posturing than actual debating. Neither candidate delivered a knockout blow, in my eyes, yet the results by my scorecard and the consensus in overnight polling is that Obama won a clear victory, especially among undecided or independent voters.

We'll talk about Barack Obama in a moment, but let's start with John McCain.

McCain Analysis 

For those who used a scorecard (as suggested for first debate), I believe you will agree McCain harmed himself last night more than he helped himself.   

McCain was deducted seven points for each time he said "I know how" to do something, like fix the economy or end the war in Iraq, without every saying exactly how he would do it. I was reminded of Richard Nixon saying he knew how to end the war in Vietnam, that he had a "secret plan" when he really had no plan beyond trusting Henry Kissinger.

McCain lost eight points for each time he sidestepped a question and focused on his talking points, especially after he said what a good question it was or how glad he was to be asked that question.  An example was when McCain was asked about the financial crisis and instead talked about energy.

McCain lost points for his response to the question about what would be his first priorities as president, given the three options of health policies, energy policies, and entitlement reform. McCain said he'd work on all three at once (repeating Jimmy Carter's mistake of trying to do too much at once without a sharp focus).

In that same reply, McCain uttered a wild statement that part of the $700 billion bailout money might end up "in the hands of terrorist organizations." The remark lacked any context or explanation. So, I deducted a point for spouting apparent nonsense and sounding irrationally paranoid.

McCain lost points on my card for poor human relations skills. At the end of the debate, McCain's refusal to shake Obama's offered hand was downright rude. Obama instead picked up a point by graciously turning to shake the hand of McCain's wife. If McCain would treat people that way as the president, imagine how much he would damage relations with foreign leaders. Is such disrespect the real reason that McCain, he he puts it, does not win any popularity contests in Congress? How would you feel if he refused to shake your hand?

McCain hurt himself with me by pointing at Obama and calling him "that one."  Such offensive and demeaning behavior, by itself, may have turned off many potential voters. Can you imagine McCain pointing to a foreign leader and referring to them that way in a press conference? Makes me shudder.

McCain lost more points for wandering around on the stage when Obama was speaking (whereas Obama stayed in his seat when McCain spoke). Beyond making McCain appear kind of lost in those moments, such distracting behavior in the theater call "upstaging,"  and it's just plain discourteous.

McCain also lost points on my scorecard for insincerity. I deducted 21 points for each time he said "my friends."  This would be fine if McCain was a member of the Society of Friends, who see all humanity as friends and brethren. However, McCain is not a Quaker; he's an Episcopalian.

Perhaps John McCain has a different definition of friendship than I do. I am friendly with many people, most people, in fact, but few people are my true friends, so we count on one another no matter what happens in life. I do not call strangers "my friends," and I distrust the casual use of the term, especially as a rhetorical tool to fool people into feeling friendly toward you.

McCain did pick up a sincerity point, however, for his earnest handshake with the Navy man who asked a question. However, I do wonder if he'd been coached to get chummy with any military person who identified himself or herself as such.  

A vital place where McCain picked up several strong points with me was his proposal to fund a bailout of homeowners, what's being called a 'Homeownership Resurgence Plan." I believe the concept came from McCain's advisers, not from him, but he get's kudos for proposing the idea.

McCain also scored a point in the health care potion of the debate. He challenged Obama to say exactly what would be the fine for those who do not buy the health insurance mandated under his proposal. Obama did not state the amount in his reponse, which McCain noted assertively. So, McCain gained a point for this and Obama lost one.

Obama Analysis

As for Barrack Obama overall, he gained more points than he lost on my scorecard, chiefly for his clarity and demeanor, yet his performance was not flawless.

On the very first question, for example,  Obama was asked, "With the economy on the downturn and retired and older citizens and workers losing their incomes, what's the fastest, most positive solution to bail these people out of the economic ruin?" Obama missed the thrust in his reply, so I deducted points from his score.

In his reply, Obama blamed the financial crisis on the Republicans (actually, the Democrats share in the blame here by goingalong with deregulation) and said the rescue package needs to be implemented properly, like preventing executives from profiting. He touted his middle-class tax cut, called for helping homeowners staying their homes (without saying how), then he threw in road and bridge projects and health care. In other words, Obama did not say how he'd help the people who now face economic ruin to regain their lost income.

In contrast, Obama gained points for his response to the question on priorities. He placed energy independence on top of his list and called for a major national effort akin to putting a man on the moon. He placed health care reform second on his list He said education would be his third priority, which surely must have pleased younger voters who never heard McCain mention education even once.

Obama further gained point in response to the question about what sacrifices he would ask from the American people. McCain skirted the issue with platitudes. Obama talked specifically about calling on the youth to perform national service (reminiscent of John Kennedy).

Obama further gained points with me for his style. Where McCain seemed stiff and herky-jerky in his mannerisms, Obama seemed relaxed and confident. Where McCain feigned a soft, gentle voice (belying the fear and anger in his body language) and his voice seemed stuck in his throat, Obama spoke in full voice from his chest and belly, which matched the general languid ease in his body language.

In a nutshell, Obama seemed "presidential," certainly much more than did McCain. I could imagine a youthful President Obama on camera meeting other leaders and restoring respect for America in world opinion, frankly, more easily than i could visualize an aging President McCain have such a positive impact.

Apparently, I'm not alone in the view that Obama won the debate.

 A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll conducted after the debate yielded the results that 54 percent said Sen. Obama did the best job in the debate while only 30 percent said Sen. McCain performed better. Also, 59 percent said they would trust Obama to handle the economy while 37 percent said saying they would trust McCain. Finally, 65 percent thought Obama was more likable during the debate compared to  28 percent for McCain.

CBS News reported a Knowledge Networks poll of 516 uncommitted voters that showed 40 percent saying Obama won, 26 percent  saying McCain won, and 34 percent calling the debate a draw.

These pro-Obama debate results are reflected across almost every poll I could find, both scientific and unscientific. A good summary of the diverse polls was reported this morning by George Harris at the Kansas City Star.