Highlighting the Differences: The First Presidential Debate

McCain and Obama repeatedly emphasized the differences between them. While the ability to find common ground and compromise serves candidates well in political office, it's important for political cynics to note the real policy differences between partisan candidates like John McCain and Barack Obama. The $700 billion bailout has weighed heavily on the public's mind. According to an AP poll, only 30% Americans support President Bush's plan to bailout the financial industry.

Undoubtedly, the best performance of the night at the debate came from moderator Jim Lehrer. His first question was on their plans for the financial crisis. Each opened with a statement, but Lehrer brought them straight back to the question, asking them if they both approve the unpopular bailout package. Lehrer even encouraged the two candidates to speak to one another. If Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have taught us anything, it's that politics needs some life to keep people's interest.

Politicians see evading questions as "staying on message," so Lehrer's reining in of the candidates was appropriate. Cornered, Obama still somewhat elusively said we need to solve this problem short term, while he failed to say he would vote for the plan. He skillfully linked the current financial problems to President Bush's economic policies of deregulation. McCain states that he "hopes" he can vote for the bailout plan.

The two candidates didn't follow Lehrer's promptings to talk with one another until about 30 minutes in, when they attacked each other on government spending. Generally, I think Barack Obama came across as tougher. He directly refuted John McCain's distortion that Obama intended to bomb Pakistan. John McCain seemed more positive about the economy and Iraq. Voters like a positive candidate--at least they claim to prefer optimism.

The debates most likely will not persuade people like me. For some of us, self-interest determines the choice on election day. Generally both candidates said things that I agree with. I agree with John McCain that legislative earmarks are out of control. Earmarks are one of the things McCain has been consistent about, and in the debate he rightly highlighted his vocal opposition to them. John McCain wants to eliminate ethanol subsidies and wasteful government spending. So do I.

I don't earn more than $250,000 a year, and Barack Obama claims that he won't raises taxes on you if you make less than that amount. As Obama stated, the American corporate tax rate looks high on paper. Many corporations can exploit various loopholes to diminish tax liability. I don't feel bad for CEOs who lose their jobs over malfeasance. When corporations gamble on the economy and lose, the government steps in with taxpayer money to bail them out. When I gamble and lose, I'm out of luck. CEOs who cook the books get multimillion dollar severance packages on their way out. If I lie to the welfare office, I go to jail.

Barack Obama's statements against "golden parachutes" for Wall Street fat cats and bailouts necessary as a result of questionable executive decisions appealed to me the most. If, as McCain said, many people saw the financial crisis coming, why did policy makers wait until a crisis to act? I suspect Obama's rhetoric appealed to others who face an uncertain future. Will I be able to get a student loan next year if I need one? I don't know. Hopefully the American people are paying attention to the debates so that we don't end up in another future crisis. No matter who you vote for, I think we all agree the financial situation is a horrible one that government needs to address somehow.

AP. Poll: Most Americans against Bush's bailout plan. Fox News.