The Belmont "Stakes"

The clock is ticking; the elusive event that seems to have taken an eternity is but 27 days away. Four weeks from today, those who actually sleep Tuesday night will in all probability awaken to newspaper headlines, and other media reports announcing to the world, the 44th President of the United States. Over the past week and a half there have been 2 debates between the major party candidates for President, and 1 between Vice Presidential candidates. One Presidential debate remains, a week from tonight, in New York, at Hofstra University.

Interestingly, the three debates that have taken place so far have been pitched as playing to the Republican candidate’s strength (Foreign Policy as the topic, or using a Town Hall format), and/or being a debate the Republican candidate had to win due to their trailing in the polls (all three). Just as interestingly, snap polls taken of potential voters who actually watched the debates found a majority of viewers thought the Democrats won…all three debates. It is fair to say, with the Election looming, there is tremendous pressure on Senator McCain to perform well next week.

But let’s not put the cart before the horse. Below is a list of the debates, their dates, times, and locations:

September 26, 2008: Video: Obama/McCain debate from the University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
October 2, 2008: Video: Palin / Biden Vice Presidential debate, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
October 7, 2008: Presidential debate in a town hall format, Belmont University, Nashville, TN
October 15, 2008: (Tickets) Presidential debate with domestic policy focus, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Each debate starts at 9:00 PM Eastern time!

Last night, Senators Obama and McCain met at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee where they discussed their views on the economy, domestic policy, and foreign affairs. After last Thursday night’s outing by Governor Palin, deemed successful by those who said she exceeded expectations (84% of those who watched), the Republicans rallied with buoyed spirits. Senator McCain and Governor Palin went on the offensive, attacking Obama for his past associations with Bill Ayers, The Reverend Jeremiah Wright, and Tony Rezco. Senator Obama countered by citing McCain’s long-standing support for George W. Bush and his policies.

There was actually some speculation fireworks could erupt at last night’s debate, should either or both candidates bring the tone of their recent campaign ads and stump speeches into the evening’s contest. Alas, it appeared advisers succeeded in de-clawing the combatants prior to the start of the debate. The combination of losing most of the ad fodder, ostensibly to avoid having either candidate come off as too shrill in the most public of debate formats, tamped down the rancor between two men most analysts agree genuinely dislike on another.

Still there were numerous points on which the candidates differed sharply, and a couple of points that stood out during the proceedings. One was an exchange in which Senator McCain, rather than call Senator Obama by name, referred to him as simply “that one,” when distinguishing the way the two men had voted on an issue. Before that, the senior Senator from Arizona, in responding to an audience member’s question made a reference to Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, and then went on to say the questioner probably never heard of them. The best that could be said in either instance was the exchanges were disrespectful and dismissive. But that’s just my opinion!

There will be an enormous amount of results-spinning in the hours and days after last night’s debate. Polling in any context is an inexact art. Nevertheless, we are drawn to polls, particularly in political contests. A few of the numbers from a couple of the polls follow. CNN’s snap poll following the debate showed Obama winning by 51% to 38%, a 13-point spread. A similar CBS poll of uncommitted voters showed 46% thought Obama prevailed, while 32% thought McCain did. Moreover, 66% in the CBS poll thought Obama would make the right decisions about the economy better, while 42 thought McCain would. On foreign policy, McCain did hold sway, with 56% saying they thought McCain would make the right decisions about Iraq, and 48% saying they thought Obama would.

Like many of you, I have a close-knit circle of friends with whom I regularly discuss many of the issues related to the pending Election, especially for President. Although we disagree on many things, we have reached Détente on one central matter. We all agree the poll that matters is the one that will be taken November 4th. That will produce incontrovertible evidence about what voters think; at least we hope it will. Until then, relax, and get ready for the domestic policy debate at Hofstra University a week from today. Oh yeah, expect the campaigns to get more and more personal.

Finally, in news that was not mentioned at the debate last night, Senator Joseph Biden’s Mother-in-law, Bonnie Jean Jacobs, died Sunday. Senator Biden took a couple of days off to be with his wife Jill, and his family. The funeral was yesterday, and Biden is expected to return to campaigning today.

The Election and the politics surrounding it are important. Families, yours, mine, and those of the candidates are more important. Say a prayer for the Senator, his wife, and their family. That’s it; I’m done. Holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com. A new post is published each Wednesday.


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