Debate Deux

Here are my overall impressions from the debate.

1. I really don't think anyone won based on the answers. It was all a rehash of the previous debate and no new information was revealed.
   
2. That said, I think Sen. Obama's demeanor was superior. Sen. McCain came across as flustered and snarky, especially with his "that one" comment. He said "my friends" waaaaay too much.
3. Both candidates paid little attention to the time. Brokaw was getting irritated by that.
   
   Now, on the issues:
   
4. Economy - I think Sen. McCain presented more actual ideas on how to fix the economy while Sen. Obama offered an economic strategy.
5. Legislative agenda - Sen. Obama gave definite answers for his legislative priorities, while Sen. McCain waxed on about doing all three at the same time. That hearkened back to Sen. Obama's comments on Sen. McCain's campaign suspension.

   "It is going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once." - Sen. Obama, CNN, 9/24

6. Spending - A wash. Both pointed out ways in which they would cut spending: Sen. Obama would weed out inefficient or useless programs from the budget and pull back our forces in Iraq, and Sen. McCain would freeze spending except on defense, veterans care, and necessary programs.
7. Social Security/Medicare - Neither candidate clearly answered the question if they would fix this issue within two years of their election. Sen. Obama would aim to fix it in his first term but gave no points on how. Sen. McCain would appoint a 9/11-style commission to produce a solution on which Congress would vote.
8. Environment - No real answer. Both candidates brought the question around to energy.
9. Health care - Sen. Obama says health care is a right, whereas Sen. McCain says health care is a responsibility. I will say that I believe that Sen. Obama's plan is better for all Americans. My husband is fine with either one.
   
10. Foreign policy overall - I believe Sen. Obama came across stronger on this issue. He gave clearer answers than Sen. McCain, whose answers were wrapped more in ideology. I'll break each issue down. (I will go ahead and say that my impression of the foreign policy debate was that Sen. McCain was very frustrated at this point and gave some, in my view, silly answers.)
    
11. Pakistan - Sen. Obama would send troops over into Pakistan is al-Qaeda/bin Ladin were there and Pakistan wouldn't or couldn't do anything about it. Sen. McCain blustered that Sen. Obama was irresponsible. Sen. Obama said, "Nu-uh," to which Sen. McCain replied, "Uh-huh!"
    
12. Afghanistan - Both candidates gave clear answers to this question, which was a first. Sen. Obama would work with Karzai's government and urge them to gain the popular support of the people to counter the Taliban, so the NATO forces would have better success in routing out the Taliban. Sen. McCain would double the size of the Afghan army, streamline the NATO forces, and implement a surge similar to Iraq. (It seems to be his sovereign specific: can't beat 'em? Send a surge! It could or could not work. I really don't know.)
13. Russia - Sen. McCain had a Bush-moment: he had looked into Putin's eyes and saw three letters, K-G-B. That is scary to me. Sen. Obama would provide support to former Soviet satellite states (i.e. Poland and Ukraine, among others) and stressed anticipation of Russia's actions. Brokaw tried to get the candidates to equate Reagan's Evil Empire quote to Russia, but neither candidate bit.
14. Israel - The best question of the night was (paraphrased), "If Iran attacks Israel, will you support Israel or wait for UN approval?" Sen. McCain directly answered the question. He would not wait for UN approval since he believes Russia and China would hold up Security Council deliberations. Sen. Obama didn't answer the question, preferring to stress his view of diplomacy in preventing such actions. I really wished he would have answered it.
15. The best question was followed by the worst: "What don't you know, and how will you learn it?" Both candidates alluded to the future and injected their life story into the answer.

If I were to give the candidates grades, I would give Sen. Obama a B and Sen. McCain a C based upon their answers, my views, and how they responded to the questions.