Observations

I watched the Presidential debate last week. I was asked who I thought won, and I answered honestly that I thought it was very close, although possibly Obama edged it. Why? I think the face-to-face debate is great, not only for getting the candidates' views, but also for observing which candidate seems more 'presidential.' In that respect, it was a slam dunk for Obama.

Both gave good, reasonable answers but nothing we haven't heard from them on the campaign trail. However, I couldn't stand watching McCain smirk every time Obama was giving his answers. It was like he had a private joke that no one else was in on. It was rude and definitely NOT presidential. Also, the moderator asked both candidates to talk to each other, but only Obama attempted to do this. McCain never addressed Obama directly, nor did he even look at him. Further, Obama said several times during his rebuttal, "You're right about that, but..." or something to that effect. In other words, he was answering honestly that McCain's views were in some way valid but just weren't correct with what Obama thought. As we all know from everyday social discourse, this is the best way to talk with someone. However, McCain never said anything like that; instead, he stated several times about Obama, "He just doesn't understand," as if Obama's views were completely invalid and ignorant.

When it comes to the person with the better character, I'd say this debate clearly showed that Obama is head and shoulders (not a short joke) above McCain.


McCain was interviewed on NPR this morning. When he was asked if he'd ever asked Palin for advice about energy, McCain answered, "Many times in the past." He then got off topic by talking about how he wouldn't ask Obama or Biden for advice because they had always been wrong in the past.

Breaking that down, we can only assume that that was a big fat lie. First of all, he never gave any specifics. He said "many times" but, when pressed, couldn't give any specifics. Second, McCain only met Palin once - and then only briefly - before she was chosen as his running mate in August. Did he refer to the last month and a half as "the past"? Exactly when and about what did he ask for her advice? Do we really believe that McCain - with his years of experience as a senator - would really ask this relatively-new politician for advice about energy? With all his connections in Washington DC, Arizona and the government in general, do we really believe he called Palin for advice? Yet he insisted. Again, what a liar!


An observation: when people are giving information, they begin the sentence with "so." When they are trying to convince you of something, they begin with "look." I've heard "So..." a lot lately, particularly from scientists or experts trying to explain some complex issue. I wonder if that's been part of the science lexicon for awhile or if it's a relatively-new phenomenon. (For a good drinking game, listen to "Talk of the Nation/Science Friday" and drink every time someone starts a sentence with "So". You'll have a great start to the weekend!)

As far as starting a sentence with "Look..." I think that started most recently by Donald Rumsfeld and the Bush administration (with an added index finger tapping the podium for emphasis) when they had to answer questions about the war. The implication seems to be that, by saying "look," you are obviously right in what you are about to say.

For example, think of the difference between "So, we thought we had evidence of WMD's" vs "Look, we thought we had evidence of WMD's." The former is obviously softer and seems like more explanation is forthcoming or possibly an admission of guilt. The latter is harder and seems like it is shutting down the conversation, or at least leading to how it's not their fault. No wonder the government likes to use "Look..." Be careful when you hear that word start a sentence. (For this drinking game, listen to a press conference and drink when they start a sentence with "look". Just make sure you don't have to get up early the next day!)