The first presidential debate got under way on Friday, in Mississippi. Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama had a frank and spirited discussion on the major issues of the day, including the economy, Iraq, Iran and Russia. The debate was billed as a foreign policy debate, however, the first 45-minutes was spent on the US fiscal crisis.
McCain the republican candidate came out fighting, accusing Obama of supporting $820 million dollars in pork barrel spending. In the beginning, Obama was forced onto his heels, and spent a precious time fending off McCain’s accusations, but gained his footing when he had a chance for rebuttal. For his part, Obama tied McCain to the administrations failed tax policy, accusing him of offering no new tax proposals. When asked what spending cuts the candidates would make to pay for the $700 billion dollar bail out, McCain appeared more decisive, offering a freeze on spending, while Obama struggled on specifics.
“Walking the walk and talking the talk. Look at records, who fought against ear mark spending,” McCain said. Obama said, “95% of all Americans would get a tax cut,” while accusing McCain of wanting to tax health care benefits.
On Iran, McCain scored points off Obama, accusing him of wanting to sit down with high-ranking Iranian leaders without pre-conditions. In turn, Obama attempted to tie McCain with the administrations failed diplomatic policies not just with Iran, but also on North Korea. Henry Kissinger, the former Secretary of State, played a pivotal role in the Iranian debate. Obama said Kissinger, a McCain advisor, supported diplomatic talks with Iran. McCain denied Kissinger approved Iranian talks. For the record, Kissinger agrees with diplomatic talks with Iran.
John McCain stressed his judgment and experience, while Obama stressed change from the status quo.
On Iraq, Obama pointed out that McCain supported the war in Iraq, emphasizing his bad judgment..
“John, you said the war was going to be over quickly. You were wrong. You said we knew where the weapons of mass destruction were. You were wrong,” Obama said.
For his part, McCain accused Obama of failing to support the troops by voting against financing the troops.
The two candidates did not hold back in an open debate on the issues. We learned the differences between the candidates for president. I thought Obama held his own against McCain whose specialty is foreign policy. I call the debate even.
The debate took place at the University of Mississippi or Old Miss. as it is called - made famous 50-years ago when two students died protesting the enrollment of the first black student in the college’s history. By hosting the debate, Old Miss. wanted to dispel its Southern racist past. It was not that long ago that Old Miss. allowed the flying of the Confederate flag at its football games. It still allows the playing of ‘Dixie’ at the games.
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I think there are several missing and important points. For one, Georgia was attacking its citizens who feel they are Russian citizens. Russia gave them Russian passports and asked Georgia to stop, and they did not. At that point, Russia attacked. Both candidates stated that the Russian attack was unprovoked which is incorrect. This is the same as what happened in Serbia. A country was attacking its citizens and the US stepped in disregarding their sovereign borders. If we didn't recognize a nation sovereign rights when they attack their own people, it is hypocritical to expect Russia to do the same when their own people are attacked. Of course, the US is protecting Georgia to protect the pipeline and for no other reason. However, if we are a country for human rights and democracy, we would not have let Georgia suppress their own people.
As an aside, McCain was condescending towards Obama whom he did not seem to look at once. It is hard to respect a man who puts others down and refuses to look into their eyes.
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