First Debate: McCain for Style and Stamina

Senator John McCain made a wise and tactical choice by showing up last night.

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CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - For a debate that was billed as a contest over foreign policy, the topics were wide ranging and the style combative as the two contenders for the Presidency of the United States, Senator Barack Obama and senator John McCain met in Mississippi for the first debate.

The likelihood of the debate even occurring at all was in question with the looming financial crisis and the surprise announcement by the McCain camp that their candidate was suspending his campaign until the crisis was calmed and legislation passed. This dramatic backdrop seemed to draw even more attention to the event when it finally occurred.

They covered it all, congressional spending, the proposed $700 billion bank bailout, and all of the hot foreign policy topics. Senator Obama sought to tie Senator McCain to the bank crisis by association with the Bush campaign calling it it "a final verdict on eight years of failed economic policies promoted by George Bush, supported by Senator McCain."

However, it was the older McCain who seemed steady in response, finding even a silver lining, "we are seeing for the first time in a long time Republicans and Democrats together sitting down trying to work out a solution to this fiscal crisis that we're in."

When the foreign policy debate turned to the subject of foreign policy, the opponents set forth their clear disagreement over the initial entry into Iraq but quickly moved to their differing perspectives on the conclusion of the war effort. McCain emphasized his support of the so called "surge", persistently recounted Obama's opposition, and emphasized his vast foreign policy experience and relationships while alluding to his opponent's inexperience. The younger Obama stood his ground and sought to project an air of competence and confidence, articulating the outline of a foreign policy philosophy.

On the economic front, the candidates clashed strongly on their vastly differing approach to tax cuts and "earmarks" but McCain surprised most people by calling for a substantial spending freeze on all government programs except for defense, veterans support and all legally mandated entitlements.

All in all, both candidates acquitted themselves well, in the sense of exuding confidence and giving their predictable responses. However, precisely because of that, most analysts gave the first debate to the elder statesman John McCain. He was not only "on his game" but demonstrated a command of his responses and found substantial energy for the task, pointing to his younger opponent's "inexperience" for the full 90 minute event.

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He succeeded in holding his opponent to a defensive posture throughout much of the evening. As to the topic of the evening, foreign policy, he succeeded in presenting himself as the candidate with the foreign policy experience, even if many Americans do not agree with some of his positions.

Senator John McCain made a wise and tactical choice by showing up last night.

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