How Did They Do?

My expertise in in communications - not politics. So, from a communications perspective it's clear from Obama's messaging, body language and willingness to make eye contact with his opponent that he is an open and collaborative communicator. He's no doubt listened to and - more importantly - heard the voices and concerns of Americans across the country during his campaign.

I do not doubt his sincerity when he says he believes that he can effectively sit across the table from our adversaries without pre-conditions in order to begin breaking down the dangerous barriers that the Bush administration has propagated with enemies and allies alike during the past eight years. Silence and inattention are dangerous and he clearly understands this.

I was slightly concerned with Obama's deference to McCain - but if showing respect and politeness to his elder is the worst offense he made - and I believe it was - so be it. One of the first things effective communicators can do is find common ground so that the main issues can be dealt with. If one or both parties is unwilling to find that common ground, then hope of solving anything is completely lost. You can agree to disagree to a point, but you can't disagree on everything - especially when you potentially hold the fate of the free world in your hands.

Obama was calm, had all of his facts straight, defended himself when necessary and made a point to correct McCain, respectfully, when McCain said things about him that weren't true.

McCain took a more immature and underdeveloped communicative approach to the debate. He refused to make eye contact, never once addressed Obama directly, all but turned his back to Obama, shuffled and ruffled his papers loudly while Obama was speaking and he grimaced and laughed so much so that it was just plain uncomfortable to watch.

McCain's solution to dealing with our enemies is really just a bunch of smoke and mirrors that only serve to unnecessarily delay any sort of actual meeting or resolution. I get not wanting to give the bad guys a platform in the spotlight - but - if you do your job and you do it well, then you don't have anything to worry about: Pwn 'em in front of the world!

If you were to place either two of these men across the table from Ahmadinejad, who do you think is going to be able to - based on what we saw last night - conduct an effective and productive meeting? It's clear that when McCain hears something he doesn't like or that he disagrees with, he stops listening and the communications process comes to a grinding halt. When Obama hears something he doesn't like or disagrees with, he tries to get in there for clarification - every time.

McCain gets points for passion; he's been through a lot and he's seen a lot. He's been to many of the places that we're currently occupying and he was able to paint a picture for the American public that we will, gratefully, never have to see for ourselves. His view of the world is seen through a different lens because of his POW experience. But that was then and this is now.

I was deeply disturbed with the frequency in which McCain spoke of his "love" and support of our troops when he has voted against them at every turn. Whether it's funding for better armor and weapons or funding for health care for the vets and their families - John McCain has simply turned his back on these people. It's unconscionable that he had the gall to say what he did last night and I wouldn't be surprised if that doesn't end up coming back to haunt him. In fact, it should come back to haunt him.

McCain also had the audacity to point the finger at Montana for soliciting $3 million in earmarks to study the DNA of bears (something he supported, by the way) when his own running mate asked for $3.2 million to study the DNA of sea lions. And don't even get me started on the $24 million for her "Bridge to Nowhere."

In the end, I thought that Obama held his own throughout. His was diplomatic, stuck to the facts and could give specific actions that he would take as president to address or resolve the issues discussed in last night's debate.

McCain regurgitated sound bites from old speeches (some as old as five years), spoke vaguely about how he would "fix things," outright lied or misled the public on some pretty important issues, but ended the debate with the kind of strong messaging that would make his supporters proud.

As my husband said, it's Obama's campaign to lose; it'll be interesting to see how the other two debates between these men play out.