Month: September 2008

“Horseshit”: Correction

I’ve removed the original post of a little time ago because after listening to the clip about two dozen times, what sounded like McCain saying "horseshit" actually comes through as having a hard "c" at the front of it. My husband insists that McCain said "Course not." I think now my hubby’s right, although it’s very muffled. You can hear the moment at around the 4:30 mark in this video. I’m sorry for mis-hearing this. I’ve heard McCain say worse in my presence (and thought none the less of him for it) so it wasn’t exactly bizarre.

[Update: a reader persuasively says that McCain is saying "’Course you can" and it sounds like "corshucan".]

[Update II: I just listened to it all over again and now I’m not clear again. Oh, the joys of blogging in real time. If anyone has another translation for what was an under-the-breath remark by McCain, I’d be happy to air anything that makes sense. I’d email the McCain campaign but they won’t answer blogger emails.]

[Update III: I listened to it on headphones. Now I think my husband was right again. McCain says: "’Course … Course not." Well: ‘mutters angrily’ conveys the tone better.]

Why Obama Won Big

Nate Silver is a must-read. This is a fascinating nugget:

The CBS poll of undecideds has more confirmatory detail. Obama went from a +18 on "understanding your needs and problems" before the debate to a +56 (!) afterward. And he went from a -9 on "prepared to be president" to a +21.

The more it sinks in, the more I think Obama actually knocked it out of the park last night. He is, in some ways, the inverse McCain. McCain is all drama and explosions but then … the air smells like damp, finished fireworks smoke. Obama seems calm and cautious but then … you realize he cleaned your clock.

A few more morning after thoughts: the body language matters. McCain couldn’t look at Obama as if he is offended by even having to share a stage with him. But Obama engaged him directly several times. Check the photo below. Even when shaking hands, McCain looks away. This is, in fact, a sign of insecurity.

The presidential factor:

Even Obama’s critics will concede that he was McCain’s equal last night. For a lot of undecided voters, the big question has always been whether this new and odd-looking guy could look like an American president, whether he passes Middle America’s gut-check on how a president Obama feels in their psyches. I think Obama passed that test, as Reagan did in 1980 and as Kennedy did in 1960. We forget now how both those iconic presidents were regarded as iffy and perhaps not ready for prime time as candidates.

Lastly: the relating to ordinary folks. It has been Obama’s greatest weakness. Yet he was far more focused on economic anxiety than McCain last night.

By Rove’s Pre-Debate Logic

Didn’t McCain lose? Money quote:

Mr. McCain needs to come across as optimistic, loose and likable. He must guard against revealing his lack of respect for Mr. Obama. And he must grab the "change" banner from Mr. Obama by describing a few things he’ll do internationally that are new and different.

On those points, McCain blew it. He can’t hide his contempt for Obama. In this angry atmosphere a 26-year Senate veteran cannot afford to seem offended that a relative newcomer can challenge him.

Kissinger and Obama

A reader writes:

What is missing from the Kissinger/Iran issue is this: The issue is whether or not we meet with enemies WITH or WITHOUT preconditions. NOT at what level we will talk. Bush wants countries to do it his way BEFORE he will talk, which clearly has not worked. Kissinger said it is OK to meet without getting what you want first. The debate in the press and blogs today is focusing on the wrong point. Obama is correct about what Kissinger said that  supports his position.