Friday, October 17, 2008

Obama's composure almost Zen-like

What's cooler than cool? Ice cold!
-- Outkast

Wednesday night's third and final presidential debate between Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama at Hofstra University revealed a contrast not just in policies but in something even more fundamental -- demeanor.

From the outset, McCain came out as the aggressor and pressing Obama for answers about ties with former '60s radical William Ayers. Obama remained steady and calm, almost boring; McCain also had calm moments, but was visibly more emotional during the debate.

Many an analyst can tell you which candidate won the debate, though I came across an CNN analysis from the San Diego Tribune's Ruben Navarette as quite insightful from a style standpoint.

The following day, McCain and Obama attended the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York. Both candidates showed their lighter sides here, and I must say that McCain had the better comedic material. While there's little room for levity during the heat of a presidential campaign, it is refreshing to see how the candidates conduct themselves in different environments, from debating one day to self-deprecating the next.

These are Style Points where I give both candidates credit.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

So far, all the conclusions by all the pundits are
totally based upon POLLS. Not a single actual vote
has been cast yet. Obama supporters gush at how
well their man has done in the debates, which proves
once again that Obama is a good debater and a good
speaker. It doesn't say anything about his character,
judgement, or what kind of a leader he would be.
I still would rather trust a man who would not sell out
his fellow prisoners, even during 5 years of torture,
than to trust a man who betrayed a 20 year friendship,
for personal ambition. And ... regarding this election,
until people actually vote ... it ain't over till it's over!