Poll: The Presidential Debate

[Uszi]

We talk a lot of politics here (Atheism, religion, government regulation of industry [read gaming]), but rarely about the presidential election itself.

So, excuse me if I am violating a taboo I was not aware of in posing my question:

Did you watch the presidential debates? How do you think each candidate did?


Without stating my voting position, I can clearly tell you that McCain got owned in the last two debates. The ownage in the first was not nearly as clear or decisive as in the second. As long as he continues to turn debate points into attack positions, instead of providing clear and concise answers, then he will fall in the polls.

I also think that Barack Obama has amazing people advising him. He outmaneuvered two candidates in a row now, both with much more experience and big, powerful people behind them. John McCain's campaign is apparently run by chimpanzees, who fail to realize when their strategies are producing poll dips; the fact that John McCain is still pursuing a campaign based on his greater experience, when the exact same campaign failed entirely for Clinton proves the ineptitude of his advisers to me.

 

[Ubuntus]

I think Barack won both debates. McCain was a bit too on the offensive the first one. But I wish that Nader could be there. He is my favorite in this race..

 

[Snaggly Pete]

I guess I would say that Obama won both--he just comes across as more poised and dignified than McCain. I was telling my wife last night how we both thought McCain seemed like a great guy when we saw him on the Jon Stewart Show and other talk shows about 3 years ago. Now though, we both agreed that he just looks old and crotchety. Frankly, I've been disappointed in all of the debates--I've wanted knock-down drag-out fights (particularly at the Biden-Palin debate), but I've found them all to be rather tame and boring.

 

[DeleteMe1112311]

As much as I hate to admit it, McCain won the debate last night because he had the last word every time. John McCain's points were frequently inaccurate but because of the timer, Barack was unable to retort to any of McCain's attacks. It was only for that reason that he won, had Obama not gone first, he would have won. Barack had better, more intelligent points but could not defend himself against even the most ridiculous attacks made on his campaign.

I think Obama did better than McCain, but since McCain's stance was offensive, he accomplished what he meant to...Whether that accomplishment was good or bad for his campaign is a matter for Debate.

But lets face uncomfortable facts here, presidential elections in this age are not won by winning debates. If that were the case, President Bush would never have been re-elected. Its more the strategy used and McCain's current strategy only hurts him. I think that no matter what happened last night, Obama will go up in the polls.

 

[Uszi]

I guess I would say that Obama won both--he just comes across as more poised and dignified than McCain. I was telling my wife last night how we both thought McCain seemed like a great guy when we saw him on the Jon Stewart Show and other talk shows about 3 years. Now though, we both agreed that he just looks old and crotchety.

I still like McCain. I honestly think the McCain we're seeing in the debates is 100% the product of campaign advisers urging him to sling more mud at Obama in an attempt to make him look bad. Look at Sarah Palin too -- 100% offensive with nearly everything she says on the campaign trail. The Republican strategy going into the polls is attack, attack, attack, and I really doubt it is a winning strategy.

Frankly, I've been disappointed in all of the debates--I've wanted knock-down drag-out fights (particularly at the Biden-Palin debate), but I've found them all to be rather tame and boring.

On that note, it is interesting to note that for this debate, the candidates themselves decided on the debate terms as far as response time and style, rebuttal time and style, the types of questions asked, etc. Commentators on both sides of the debate expressed that the system failed: both candidates agreed to a system that gave them the minimal possibility of failure.

Obviously, this close to the election, both campaigns are most concerned with not making a Howard Dean-esque misstep along the path to the Presidency.

 

[christoph_]

uszi, I agree-there's hardly anything been said about the actual election here

Obama definitely bettered McCain, and if Obama had been able (had time!) to actually rebut the incorrect stabs at his policies, he would clearly have been the winner.

i think we need a Obama/Biden vs McCain/Palin debate - that would set the record straight!

christoph

 

[Uszi]

uszi, I agree-there's hardly anything been said about the actual election here

To be honest, in making the poll I was a bit worried about inducing flame wars and ending my sans-admin-wrath posting streak.

 

[Ubuntus]

You know we need a Obama, McCain, Nader, Barr debate etc.
But the Third party's will never have a chance. Before then, I don't think America can call it self a true democracy.

 

[Uszi]

Does anyone else think that the Escapist Forums should show poll results with 0 votes? I read my poll at the top of the page and think that the only option I provided people was Obama.

 

[christoph_]

yeh- when I first saw it i was a bit like... uh-oh, but you'll be fine i reckon
but its relevant to the escapist, like depending on who wins you guys could have totally different game-rating laws or whatever.
someone should ask them about their gaming policies at the next debate!!

 

[christoph_]

wouldn't be so sure about obama's response...remember what hilary (e.g. another from the democrat camp) was going to do about "violence in video games?"
Ban it!

hahaha on McCain though.. he'd probs say something like "those children should spend less time playing video games and more time firing rifles/going to boot camp"

why should we care anyway? our queen can't even make up her opinion on obama/mccain

 

[L.B. Jeffries]

McCain is on the offensive because he's down in the polls. When Barack was down about a month ago they were getting their hands dirty as well, it's how the game works. Once you're on top you have to stay calm and hold your balance while the other guy tries to shake you off.

Obama won the debate last night, not because he made better points or argued better, but because he stayed calm and did nothing stupid. He didn't freak out when McCain bashed on him, he didn't yell at him to knock it off. That's a victory because that means that all those people in the polls saying yes to Obama are going to keep saying yes, he's "unchanged".

Not that he hasn't sold out ever since winning the primaries...just the nature of the beast I guess. The truth is, anyone who can beat Hillary Clinton in a Democratic Primary is clearly strong in the Force.

 

[christoph_]

true.. obama /did/ beat hilary

i suppose HRH wouldn't have minded a woman-US president in her lifetime.
oh well-its unlikely now

 

[SenseOfTumour]

I'm UK based, and I always think when they're bashing each other, its because they're lacking in positive messages to say about what THEY want to do, how they're going to change our country for the better.

I personally don't want to vote for someone because the other guy is bad, I want to vote for the guy that is good. (damn that sounded kindergarten, but you get my point).

I want to hear 'We're going to move towards healthcare for all US citizens' not 'my opponent wants you all to die in pain and poverty', which seems to be the way things are twisted.

Not saying my opinion on healthcare, just taking a topic as an example.

For instance someone anti war, would no doubt be spun into 'pro terrorism', or 'cowardly and un-american', when perhaps he'd prefer to spend the money on healthcare, schools, the emergency services, police, prisons, etc.

 

[Uszi]

Snap! Thats a good idea, someone in America better ask that next time round, i can already guess the result:

McCain: VIDEOGAMES ARE THE DEVIL!

Obama: Video games are a wonderfull recreational activity which almost anyone can enjoy.

Except the Democrats have traditionally pushed for limiting violence in the media. The republicans eat that shit up.

hahaha on McCain though.. he'd probs say something like "those children should spend less time playing video games and more time firing rifles/going to boot camp"

I would say that's about accurate. I feel that the Republican response is that kids should play less video games, and the Democrat response is, kids should only Play Carebear Adventure games.