Round 2: Maverick vs. Change

The second presidential debate this past Tuesday was extremely interesting despite the boring rules in this town hall format that did not allow the candidates to engage with each other more. Senators McCain and Obama had some great one-liners throughout the night and their strategies were throughout the night were obvious and completely different.
Senator McCain’s ratings in recent polls have been dropping faster than President Bush’s and Congress’. McCain desperately needed to change the subject from the economy to something different. What better to talk about than Barack Obama’s character? McCain pounded Obama constantly, telling voters to “look at our records.” The whole night McCain was portraying Obama as someone who doesn’t understand and as a dangerous candidate who is naïve. However, while doing this, Senator McCain seemed condescending at times like when he referred to by pointing to Senator Obama and calling him as “that one.” Obama put that thought to rest in the debate. He looked extremely presidential and comfortable on the stage by having great stature and eye contact with McCain. Obama seemed very knowledgeable and calm when speaking about the issues.
Obama’s strategy was to tie McCain to the very unpopular President Bush. He was very effective in doing this. He also did a great job of relating to middle class families because he seems to be so in touch with the needs of Americans during these hard times.
Round two goes to Obama slightly, but it looks like the “Straight Talk Express” is losing more than one wheel in this campaign.