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...Joe the Plumber!
By far the most interesting of the debates was the third and final presidential debate on Wednesday night. It was obvious to any observer that not only is Obama now confident in his lead, but also that McCain is sick of him.
But let me tell you the story of Joe the Plumber. Joe the Plumber was hoping to buy the small business he has worked for for years. One day he approached Senator Obama and brought up the fact that, under Obama's plan, he couldn't afford to. Senator Obama responded by saying that he didn't want to punish Joe's success, he only wanted to make sure that those behind him could succeed as well. Obama believes that when you "spread the wealth" everyone benefits.
John McCain spent a good deal of the debate talking about economic policy directly to Joe the Plumber. Political gold, let me tell you. When someone on national television is speaking to a blue-collar worker with a name and a face, they're really talking to a good chunk of America.
On some questions, like the one about how suited each candidate felt their running mate was to hold the office of the president, Obama had a distinct advantage. Let's be honest: McCain didn't pick Sarah Palin as his running mate because of her stunning political background. Palin brought charisma to the ticket, and she rallied the far right base that McCain had lost by being too moderate for their liking.
Then there were the times when McCain managed to make The Golden Child look genuinely uncomfortable. After hearing the first prompt he could vaguely relate to it, McCain jumped into the debate with "ACORN this," and "Ayers that." I was intrigued to see Obama's normal response to personal attacks (of laughter) now be accompanied by him turning his head down, closing his eyes, and shaking his head. While I may be over-analyzing something that was simply Obama trying to play it cool, it intrigues me.
While we're talking about body-language, though, I can't help but mention the multiple times McCain seemed to be looking at Obama with an expression of forced placidity. His eyes said, "I'm going to eat your soul, Barack." (Pictures to come)
Discussions over health care and Supreme Court appointments were almost obligatory, and each candidate answered along party lines on health care and McCain answered correctly on appointments, stating that he would apply no litmus tests to justices.
I wish this had been the first debate. As a McCain supporter, I believe there would be a fleeting chance for a Republican victory were this the first debate with only more like this to come. I fear that the performance by McCain was lost on the masses who, at this point, would jump off a cliff if Obama only told them they should. It is too little too late. Between ACORN and idiots, Obama is the next president of the United States.
And I'm moving to New Zealand.
Labels: election 2008