The second presidential debate -- its format, Brokaw's tone, the whole thing -- was at odds with the American gestalt right now. People are really worried about the economy -- not just in a "polls indicate it's the top concern" type of way, but in a "I'm actually hoarding gold under my mattress and stocking up on ammo" type of way.
The format was weird anyway -- neither debate nor town hall -- and Brokaw's non-moderation spectacular in its dullness. But I think Obama, apparently a winner in most polls, would have been much better served if he had done the following at least once, if not several times:
"Look, I could take time now to debunk Senator McCain's bent statistics and half-truths, but that's not what we're here for. An increasing proportion of you have made your decision about Nov. 4, and a couple of quarrelsome senators are not going to change your mind. Instead, I'm going to answer your question about jobs/social security/etc....."
I think both candidates danced around the questions too much and wasted too much time in sniping, repeating campaign talking points and rebuttals about their voting records. They missed a vital opportunity to explain the Wall Street 'rescue' a little better; and I think Obama missed an amazing opportunity to treat the setting as a bipartisan forum for the two candidates to collegially address the nation's economic ills. Reach across the aisle in this setting, and see what a chilly reception you get from McCain.... game over. (But then again, maybe it's game over already -- but I don't think so.)
We need more straight talk. Bernanke yesterday predicted it's going to get worse until 2009, and neither candidate acknowledged this last night. This was pretty much Obama's last shot to be completely straight on this point:
"Yes, Alan (retiree who asked the first question), you're f@*%ed. Sorry, but America failed you, and you and hundreds of thousands like you will be retiring into poverty through no fault of your own. As president I have many plans to turn this around but it won't be fast and it won't be easy. But there's one thing I can pledge to you: my administration will never stop listening to you, will never forget you, and will never put the greed of the wealthy and powerful ahead of your needs -- the middle class that is the lifeblood of our nation."
Footnote: I, like some others, think a bit too much is being made of the "that one" reference. Maybe I was already inured to McCain's stiff, crabby, wheedling manner. But I do agree with the essence of this commenter's remark:
"That little bit of dismissiveness was the only bit of pure honesty from McCain all night. McCain referred to Obama like he would refer to a "thing", not a person. McCain thinks Obama is beneath him, and the electorate hates that.
Let it be the story of the day. If that's what dominates the debate recaps, so be it. I don't care if it's reasonable discourse or not. The goal is to win. Having McCain painted as a grumpy bitter man who talks about his opponent with the same words he uses to pick out his morning muffin helps Obama win."