The End of Debate

Friday's Presidential debate was anything but. Neither candidate behaved Presidential, nor did they debate. This election was supposed to be different. Both candidates touted high ideals and promised a campaign of ideas, not words. It has deteriorated into zingers and talking points meant to woo voters.

Friday night was supposed to be a thoughtful debate of those ideas. It was an excellent format: moderated by Jim Lehrer (host of the esteemed PBS program Newshour), the topics would be presented, each would give a two-minute summary, then they would debate the ideas for five minutes with each other. This was the format agreed upon by the candidates months ago.

Instead of thoughtful debate over ideas, Senators McCain and Obama disintegrated into election-year jabs and political talking points. The ideas presented were cut from advisors and broad plans, but little was foundational or substantial. Obama used the "Bush-McCain mantra" while McCain continued his "voice of experience" argument. McCain pushed his "I'm a maverick," and "earmarks are evil" comfort points, even when they were vaguely relevant. Obama postured "what I've called for" as if the President writes legislation.

Lehrer compelled them over and over "say it directly to him." "I'm determined to get you all to talk to each other," Lehrer implored. Obama finally engaged, McCain never looked to his opponent (or the camera). This is a position where world leaders confront each other. These guys must prove they can engage. We want a lion who will lead, not a golden retriever who will dutifully fetch.

I wasn't around in the 1860s, so I did not get to see Lincoln and Douglas debate, but I have seen high schoolers and college students follow guidelines and engage each other more passionately and with less posturing than these two. If one of these me wants my vote, they should get over their hubris and one-upsmanship. McCain should stop trying to be Teddy Roosevelt and Obama stop pointing fingers at others bad judgment calls.

In my opinion, McCain lost what could be construed as a debate handily. He drew the discussion off topic and shallowly defended his various points. Obama, while casting a broad net of ideas, did present considerable arguments for his positions. Earmarks are necessary for congressional business to get done and they are abused, but the President will have to let congress deal with those because he does not have a line-item veto. Presidents' agendas get overtaken by events (consider the Bush campaign of '00 and '04 who won as a "compassionate conservative" but became the progenitor of overarching executive power).

Watch online at www.youdecide2008.com.

Revisited

I listened again to the debate. The candidates did, at points, delve deeply into issues and explained the merits of their viewpoints and how they make decisions. It was regrettable, however, that political pandering and smearing were so prominent and sullied the stronger parts.