It may be due to my mind having already been made up (indeed, I have never even considered voting for McCain), but last night's "town hall" debate between Barack Obama and Mad Johnny was a big sleeper. The debate took place at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and was a bore. Tom Brokaw looked like he was asleep. The questions posed by the audience and by Brokaw himself were warmed over hash.
There were no new revelations regarding policy from either candidate. McCain, the angry badger, did growl something about a mortgage reform proposal; Barack did talk about his priorities (energy, health care, and education, in that order). But nothing too earth-shattering from either of them.
McCain once again came out snarling and aggressive, spouting off condescending remarks about Obama's lack of experience and qualifications. I can't imagine that that will go over with the viewing public. His anger, bordering on seething fury, is so obviously roiling his insides that it almost evokes pity. Almost.
Obama was collected and dispassionate. Maybe too dispassionate. He continued with his tactic of tying McCain to President Junior fairly effectively. And I thought he scored with his retort to McCain's invocation of Teddy Roosevelt by pointing out that McCain was the buffoon who sang "Bomb, bomb Iran," in front of cameras on the campaign trail. ("Talk softly," indeed!) But, for the most part, Obama was his usual emotionally-restrained self.
I didn't feel like either of them came away with a clear victory. Obama didn't make any big mistakes, but neither did Mad Johnny. Of course, given the polls over the past week, a draw works to Obama's advantage.
I guess the bottom line for me is that I've reached the saturation point for campaign rhetoric. Now, it is just a matter of watching and waiting.
Meanwhile, for your entertainment....
(Strong language alert!)
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