Senator Obama Wins First Debate

Toward the end of last night's debate Senator John McCain laid out his rationale in this election in a few words: he said, Senator Obama lacks the "knowledge and experience to be President." The presidency will turn on whether the American people agree with McCain on that. But on this night, Senator Barack Obama emerged as a candidate who was at least as knowledgeable, judicious and unflappable as McCain on foreign policy ... and more knowledgeable, and better suited to deal with the economic crisis and domestic problems the country faces.

There was nothing in this debate that was a knockout blow and nothing that should change the current course of the campaign. I don't think many votes, or opinions, were changed. But Senator Obama seemed plenty presidential; McCain seemed more careful as if he had to think about every word in case he utter another foolish line like his "the fundamentals of the economy are good."

McCain tried to pick fights with Obama on the details of foreign policy, while Obama was concerned with strategy, and an overall vision for the country. He brought up the damage done to America's standing in the world, and also the one who insisted on putting the war in Iraq in a broader strategic context: it had hurt America's overall position in the Middle East by empowering Iran and allowing Al Qaeda to regain strength in Afghanistan.

McCain was clearly the aggressor and rarely acknowledged Obama. But, the problem with McCain's aggressiveness was that it almost always involved misstating (lying) Obama's positions—on offshore drilling, nuclear power, talking to our enemies, raising taxes on the middle class, attacking Pakistan ... the same list of untruths McCain has stuck with throughout the campaign. When Obama chose to criticize McCain it was on big things—supporting the war in Iraq, opposing alternative energy, standing by the Republican philosophy of taxation (or should I say lack of it for the rich.)

McCain was also confused about what "preconditions" means in diplomacy. The Bush Administration had, until recently, set a precondition for talks with Iran: that the Iranians had to stop processing nuclear fuel. Obama says that he would talk to the Iranians—as former Secretary’s of State Henry Kissinger and James Baker would—without setting that condition. (It all double talk anyway as precondition is redundant, all conditions for starting a negotiation are pre-.) One missed opportunity by Obama: he could have noted that the Iraqi government has agreed to his idea of a timetable and asked McCain, Do you want to stay longer than the Iraqis want us there?

Obama spoke in a stronger, firmer voice. He was clear, and straightforward. He looked directly into the camera; McCain rarely, if ever, did. As a matter of fact he never even looked at Obama during the debate, as if he would lose it if he looked at Obama. Isn’t that what you teach your sons – shake hands with a good grip and look the person you are talking to in the eye. In this debate with the topic of foreign policy and national security, Obama did everything he had to do. And since McCain patterns himself as a foreign policy and national security expert, I thought McCain did less so. The early polling seems to agree with me.

A pair of one-night polls gave Senator Barack Obama a clear edge over Senator John McCain in their first presidential debate. Fifty-one percent said Obama did a better job in the faceoff while 38 percent preferred McCain, according to a CNN-Opinion Research Corp. survey of adults.

Obama was widely considered more intelligent, likable and in touch with peoples' problems, and by modest margins was seen as the stronger leader and more sincere. Most said it was McCain who spent more time attacking his opponent.

In a CBS News poll of people not committed to a candidate, 39 percent said Obama won the debate, 24 percent said McCain and 37 percent called it a tie. Twice as many said Obama understands their needs than said so about McCain.