I want to get this out tonight before I have a chance to read how they of the mainstream media think it went and how they think I should think it all went.

The most glaring thing I noticed about watching the debate had more to do with style than substance - I suppose. Actually sometimes style can indicate things that lie beneath. I think McCain is actually afraid of Obama. This had to be seen to be believed: I only caught him deliver one (1) furtive 1/60th of a second glance over to Obama in the whole debate. I am reviewing the tape and will get back to you if I find any other example of McCain actually looking in Obama's direction. The rest of the time his glance was riveted on Jim Lehrer with all the intensity of the gaze of someone watching a small screen TV in a neck brace. He didn't even address the camera when delivering his direct responses to questions. He seemed wooden, nervous, and his expression seemed pasted on. Obama, on the other hand, seemed relaxed and animated. His glance moved comfortably from moderator to camera, to audience and, a large part of the time, directly at McCain - especially when he was addressing specific points of difference between them.

An interesting initial spin/point some of the McCain pundits made seemed to center around the number of times Obama said that he agreed with McCain. They seemed to think this was some sort of an admission that McCain had won whatever point was being debated. Give me a large break! Of course he agreed with McCain on some obvious points. Saying it is the sign of a conciliator, a peace maker - in short, a gentleman. I thought McCain, on the other hand, would never let up harping about Obama's lack of experience and lack of understanding. Actually I sort of wished Obama had been at least a little more willing to treat McCain in a similar manner. After all, McCain is the one who is the most vulnerable and the most culpable on the foreign policy blunders - er issues. But Obama remained a gentleman to the end. This strategy probably served him better with the undecided voter than McCain's meanness of spirit.

Some are comparing it to the Nixon - Kennedy debates: those who didn't know the facts (probably 95% of the American people) and heard it on radio, will consider it a draw. Those who watched it on TV will have to conclude that Obama cleaned his clock. Considering that this is the debate McCain was figured to do the best on, it looks like it will be all downhill from here!

Peace,

Bob Boldt