McCain-Obama Debate

To anyone that is a "news junkie" or seeks to stay at least minimally informed about our presidential election, the first debate between McCain and Obama was a bitter disappointment. There were no new revelations from either candidate about our economy, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan or any other subject for that matter. The debate seemed to be focused on first time viewers that may be living in caves and are unaware of the ideological differences between the two candidates. The sad reality is that both candidates are vying for the votes of those that are the least informed.

Actually what was revealing to this observer was that political handlers and operatives behind the scenes must believe that Americans are uninformed, intellectually deficient and really have no idea about the candidates except that one is old and experienced and the other is young, black and advocating some sort of change. The reality is that neither candidate, despite their calls for change, can make any immediate meaningful change in any arena without congressional approval and that challenge can only be accomplished by the candidate that is the most politically adept at operating inside the halls of power in Washington.

McCain restated his views about Iraq being the central battleground in the fight against Al Qaeda and Obama stressed that our focus on Iraq was ill advised. McCain continually pressed Obama to admit that the surge in Iraq was a success and Obama steadfastly refused to admit that reality based on the fact that political progress has not been achieved. The problem with Obama's argument is that he should be reading about the most recent progress in Iraq where their parliament just passed a provincial elections law, which has overcome months of political gridlock. Elections are scheduled in most Iraqi provinces for January 2009.

In Afghanistan, both indicated that additional troops would likely be necessary. Nothing new!

Both agreed that Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons was dangerous for the region, the world and of great concern for Israel and the United States. Again, nothing new here.

On the economy their differences were presented again for anyone that has not followed the campaigns. McCain takes the position that the backbone of America is successful businesses that create jobs and Obama believes that government should become more involved.

Virtually 100 percent of their comments had been heard before.

The sad reality is that neither candidate can be their own man. The political handlers for both sides control virtually every step of the process. Talking points are repeated ad nauseum as if Americans can not understand unless the candidates position is repeated over and over and over and over . . . It actually is very clear what the political operatives really think about the intellectual capacity and political savvy of the typical American voter.

Overall, the debate suffered from a "failure to inform" for those Americans that follow politics. For first time viewers and the undecided, it probably only confused them. Actually, the political handlers, news organizations and advocates for each candidate immediately seize the opportunity after the debate to capture a sound bite or phrase that will appeal to the uninformed or undecided voter in an effort to capture a vote based on a simple phrase or easily understandable campaign plank. One can fear that the election will ultimately be decided based on the votes of the least informed. That appeared to be the message embodied in this debate.

A check of major newspaper accounts of the debate was interesting as they seemed to be reporting that candidates had actually said something new. It appears to this analyst that anything new was embodied in presentation, not in substance. But alas, newspapers have to be sold, journalists have to publish and pundits have to earn a living.