After having seen the debate, read the reviews, and analyzed poll results showing who won the debate (CNN: Obama – 58%, McCain – 31%), there is a general consensus that this was probably the best debate of the three they have had so far. Additionally, it showed that McCain was stronger, harsher, and had a better overall performance in this debate than in his previous two. However, Obama was as solid as before and was not phased at all by McCain’s improved tactics.

Here is the official Social Verdict review of last night’s US presidential debate between Democratic Senator Barack Obama and his opponent, Republican Senator John McCain.

First, the verdict: Obama wins again. But it was close.

This was McCain’s best debate and he was a lot more convincing today when making his points. This stemmed mainly from his actually looking at Obama and addressing him directly this time. It worked great when he did it. However, Obama wasn’t phased and even though he clearly lost the first half hour or so, he came back strong and bit by bit chewed at McCain for the entire night. He knew how to attack McCain’s points without seeming aggressive. McCain seemed and was aggressive for the entire night and attacked Obama at every chance. His bringing up of Ayers was also not a good idea and lost points on several issues as the debate wore on.

The discussion about tone was the most interesting part in my opinion, and the most testy as well, with many accusations thrown back and forth. I was surprised to see Obama bring up the chants of “kill him” and “terrorist” and the “palling around with terrorists” comment but it eventually worked in his favour as he did it on the defensive instead of using them as an attack. McCain also seemed petty complaining about negativity when it is his campaign that went negative right away and has been far harsher and brutal in its assessments of Obama’s character. They have clearly tried to steer the talk away from issues and onto petty issues and it was weak of McCain to step up and complain about it simply because he has no money to match Obama. This also looks even worse when you consider the Republicans’ history of negative campaigns. (Even further weakening McCain, after the debate the GOP has launched a massive nation-wide phone-call campaign talking about Obama’s association with Ayers and his character, classy!) Overall, it was a better debate where Obama took some time to find his footing but when he did, he outperformed McCain and looked more like a 26-year long senator than the novice he should be. He was more presidential and a lot more convincing. Obama has won 3 out of 3 debates and every time he has just done enough to win. He has never clearly out-shined McCain but has always managed to simply stay one step ahead and do just enough to win. He has kept to his strategy of making few mistakes, no grand gestures, and keeping his cool. It seems to have paid off as there is not much more McCain can do now to defeat this man.

Techniques
For the first time in probably all of the three debates they have had, John McCain actually looked and addressed Obama directly! In those instances, he looked in control of the discussion and a lot more confident. If he would have done that in the previous debates, they all would’ve been a lot closer. Both were crisp and efficient in their dialogue and more concise during their substantive points. There were fewer “my friends” from McCain, and less bumbling from Obama when asked direct questions. He also looked less professorial and also engaged McCain a few times, making him seen like he wasn’t dragging on a passion-less discussion as he seemed a few times before. Both their postures were good throughout the debate but I thought McCain had better hand gestures to match most of the strong points in his arguments. I did not like his joke attempts, again, and his sinister laugh after pointing out an Obama flaw or mistake.

Questions

Economic plan and why is it better than opponent’s
Obama had a great, substantive, concise and easy to understand answer. McCain looked strong as well because he looked at Obama and questioned him for the first time (as opposed to calling him “that one” again). Not a great answer, but managed to get his message across nonetheless.

Cutting proposals out due to huge deficit
Obama did not answer the question. He smartly used his talking skills to circumvent the question and talk about what needs to get done instead of what he will cut. Tried to tie McCain to President Bush on failed economic policies. McCain also did not answer. He just repeated that he would cut pork-barrel spending. He’s said that way too much to make anyone start caring now.

Balance the budget in 4 years?
McCain said he would, which is an outright lie as it is impossible to do in only 4 years! But, McCain used his line of the night: “I’m not president Bush, if you wanted to run against president Bush, you should’ve run 4 years ago”. That was his best line of the night and overshadowed a poor answer to the question. That was his best moment. Obama was on the defensive for the entire segment with no chance of winning it.

Tone of campaigns (most interesting bit in my opinion)
McCain indirectly blamed the tone of the campaigns on Obama, saying his refusal of many town-hall meetings has caused it. Really!?? Oh, and he regrets some of the things said as well. Again, really!?? On top of that, he promises to run a truthful campaign and blames Obama for spending the most money in history on negative ads. This segment to me seemed hilarious since it was a Republican complaining about negative ads and negative campaigns!! Was it not his party that invented the negative ad??? McCain also brought up Obama’s failed promise to use public financing and asked for a repudiation of Congressman Lewis’ recent remarks.

Obama states that presidential campaigns are usually tough but that 2/3 of people in America, from recent polls and data, show they believe McCain is the one running a negative campaign, not him! He also points out to independent data that proves 100% of McCain’s ads are negative! (So, I guess McCain was just complaining that he didn’t have enough money, not that there were too many negative ads). McCain came back pointing out that Obama was mis-portraying him on issues (Ha, payback’s not fair is it?) and asked for a repudiation of congressman Lewis’ recent accusations.

Obama, smartly, brings up the chants of “kill him” and “terrorist” from recent Sarah Palin rallies where she has done nothing to stop or even condemn them. (In all fairness, McCain has recently done more to prevent such things from happening, but folksy Palin hasn’t!) Obama then clears the air by saying his campaign immediately released a statement after Lewis’ remarks that his comparison of McCain. Obama said he wants to talk about issues, and when people suggest he “palls around with terrorists”, that is not talking about issues! McCain shot back aggressively defending his supporters at rallies but also saying you can’t stop someone from shouting something. Obama came back with suggesting that they all disagree without being disagreeable and have a tough debate about issues, not characterize each other as bad people.

McCain then brought up Ayers (which is ridiculous) and said the people need to know about his relationships to him. He even accused Obama of beginning his political career in Ayers’ living room. What? Since when? Obama quickly but clearly cleared up the Ayers situation, although he did not outright reject his association with him which might suggest it goes deeper than originally thought. I HIGHLY doubt it goes as far as the Republicans suggest. Does it really matter though? Who cares if he was friends with him 10 years ago!???

Obama CLEARLY won the segment and looked VERY strong against a defensive McCain who really had no way out of a hole dug by countless weeks of negativity on his part.

Why is your VP better and why would they make good president
HA, where do you begin? Sarah Palin vs Biden? Obama could have gone on forever about Palin’s ineptitude and absolute and unequivocal unpreparedness to be a president. However, he smartly stayed away from attacking her and simply highlighted Biden’s great accomplishments and how great he is. McCain did the same until the moderator asked them about the other’s VP. Obama again did not attack Palin and called her a capable politician who has excited the Republican base and has done a lot of good things for special needs. He then cleverly brought up how an across the board spending freeze proposed by McCain would not help special needs families! Well done. McCain was on the defensive about that issue for a little while and went on to talk about Biden and even attacked him on several foreign policy decisions he’s made in the past. Clearly, Obama won this point for his candor about Palin (I am shocked he didn’t attack her, he must have restrained very much because there is A LOT he could’ve mentioned) and how he cleverly showed that McCain’s proposals were contradictory.

Reduce dependency on foreign oil
Both had good answers but McCain won the segment because he brought up Obama’s opposition against the free trade agreement (Obama never really defended that position at all which was a mistake) and cleverly used Obama’s words against him when he highlighted Obama would simply “look” at off-shore drilling. Well done by McCain in this segment.

Health care plans
Obama nicely explained his plan by looking straight into the camera and clearly highlighting the benefits. McCain explains his but begins to attack Obama. He once again brings up the fine to be paid if people choose a health plan other than the one mandated by Obama’s proposal and asks about the fine that Joe the plumber would pay if he bought his business. (He really should have known Obama would come prepared this time).

Obama shocks by saying Joe would pay 0!! McCain cannot maintain his shock and blurts out “0???” accompanied by an expression of desperation. Obama explains that small business owners, like Joe, are exempt from the fine and even get a 50% credit! (Someone didn’t do their homework on Obama’s health plan) McCain simply looked stunned throughout this. Obama then proceeded to mop the floor with McCain during this segment when he cleverly brought up McCain’s plan and pointed out how people would actually lose money and that for the first time in history, health care would be taxed! This was probably Obama’s best moment in all three debates so far! McCain attempted to come back with a clever answer but his attempt at humour at calling Joe the plumber rich failed miserable and his last attack on Obama’s plan failed just as badly as he even mistakenly called Obama “Senator Government”. He was clearly still dazed from that metaphorical knockout blow thrown by Obama.

Roe v Wade and influence over Supreme Court judges
McCain’s clever answer about his non-influence and picking the best judge was good as at the end he mentioned that someone who supports abortion does not fit his description of a qualified judge. Obama smiled and proceeded to say that he too would not administer a litmus test but would do his best to support someone who was pro-choice because he agreed with Roe v Wade. He went on to describe his position on pro-choice and why it is important for women to have a choice in the matter. He did this very intelligently and passionately. Well done. McCain’s rebuke was not that strong and called Obama’s position radical. What? Really?

Education
Obama’s description of his education plan was clear and very substantive with clear bullet points on what he would do and how he would do it. McCain simply did not provide any specifics and faltered through the answer. He did win points by winning the argument on vouchers and his use of Washington as an example and Obama really did not rebuke that argument clearly but Obama still wins the segment because of his education plan and how well he explained it.

Final words
McCain delivered a passionate straight into the camera plea for a vote. He was direct, concise, and very convincing. Well done! It was the best closing he’s had so far. He needed to finish strong as these would be his last words to the entire nation and he delivered. Once again, well done! Obama was not as passionate and not as concise. He reviewed his proposals again briefly (which really he shouldn’t have) and was not as passionate as McCain. He was eloquent but that was not enough. McCain won this segment even though Obama had the advantage of going last.