Debate #3

Throughout the 2008 campaign, I've been tentative to actually attack John McCain personally because to be honest, I've always thought he was a rather relatable candidate. Seeing him in other debates and other appearances (most notable his speech at the RNC) I had created an image of him in my head that was rather favorable considering my own intensely liberal beliefs. However, after witnessing his performance last night in the final presidential debate I was literally disgusted. His childish eye-rolling and condescending laughter was a complete turn-off as a voter, regardless of which candidate I was planning on endorsing on election day. His rude interupptions and snappy demeanor served only to make him look desperate and grumpy which is not the kind of attitude I would have expected from someone trailing in the polls. This was one of his last chances to appeal to a broad range of individuals and in my opinion he failed miserably. He may have had a few great lines, as can be expected from any candidate in a debate, but the majority of his statements just seemed angry and indignant. He was constantly on the attack and some of the things he said were just plain ridiculous. I'm not ashamed to say that his ideas about taking Iraqi veterans and placing them as teachers without having to be certified is horrendous. What a miserable idea it is to take individuals who have just been through the terror of war and throw them into a classroom without having to take the exams and the courses that other teachers are required to take. I'm sorry but this seems as though McCain is placing military service on a pedastal that it does not deserve to be on. Fighting in a war is courageous and it is respectable and admirable but it does not mean that it should exempt individuals from having to follow the same rules as everyone else. Not to mention the fact that in order to better schools and improve education we need to create even more qualified teachers than we already have. And in terms of McCain's "equal access" statement I'd like to ask him what he considers equal about the educational system right now. Clearly he is referring to the end of segregation but make no mistake, there is not equal access to education for those in lower socio-economic classes and this is through no fault of their own. They are children, period, and they deserve no more and no less than priviledged children who can attend Exeter or Deerfield. Everyone should have this superior education not just those can foot the bill.
When considering Obama's performance, however, I was not just impressed I was in awe. He exuded confidence and warmth in his unwillingness to respond to the numerous attacks thrown at him by McCain. And when he spoke he looked not only at the camera but at John McCain as well. I felt like Obama was participating in a conversation whereas you would have thought McCain was in a boxing ring. To most clearly illustrate this point, we need to look at the discussion of negative campaigning. Obama stated that politicians (especially in this election) need to stop trying to characterize each other as bad people. He was then immediatley attacked by McCain who wasted no time bringing up ACORN and Ayers. I'm not saying that these issues shouldn't have been addressed as they were serious allegations, but to spew out an attack after Obama's assertion of friendliness was pretty disgusting. Obama consistantly noted similarities between the two candidates and when he did mention differences, it was done respectfully. I want my president to be someone whose anger is directed towards the right places, someone who can function respectably in public forums. McCain's performance last night was a disaster but thank god for that because it might just have cost him the White House.
Here's a link to the debate and some commentary about priceless reactions of both candidates http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/#video