what if Obama were to call McCain "sir" in the debates?

[grasswire]

Would that be a subtle way to signal McCain's advanced age?

He could say in an early part of the debate that his grandma taught him to always be respectful of others.

[mucifer]

1. That would be icky

[last1standing]

2. It would just emphasize Obama's youth.

There would be a danger of people viewing him as a bagger instead of a president. Not a good chance to take, in my opinion.

[shraby]

3. It seems to me that Obama knows exactly

what to say and when to say it. I wouldn't presume to second guess his tactics because they have been supremely successful to date.

[nam78_two]

4. No-I don't think that would work at all.nt

[Marnieworld]

No it would be a bad echo of previously required deference

I was a little surprised that it wasn't Senator but "John" last night but I definitely prefer that to sir.

[alsame]

9. I liked him using "John" - it made them equals. n/t

[Balderdash]

14. Exactly. They are peers. nt

[Marnieworld]

16. So would Senator

Usually in these things people use the titles so it seemed odd to me but I got used to it. Especially when McCain kept calling him Senator Obama and it went with his hostile attitude John was the right choice. Whenever Obama and I disagree generally I find that he was right, he usually always right.

[Giant Robot]

5. I wonder about that too

Both to be able to say he was being respectful, and to remind people of McCain's age.

But I also wonder about appearing too deferential to him and looking weak. I don't necessarily think that being deferential is a bad thing, but so much of the political narrative (to use hip terminology) about the Democrats is that they are weak and only the Republicans can protect you. I wonder if Obama would be feeding into that device if he were to call McCain "Sir."

[Orangepeel]

6. maybe he could bring him an iced tea or offer him a towel?

He should stick with "John."

[Lochloosa]

7. Why not Yah surrr

[C_U_L8R]

8. I don't think he has to

The lies are all spotlighted in the post-debate commentary.

But it would be great if he summed up every one of
McCain's 1000 lies in the third debate and concluded with
"you just can't trust John McCain, he doesn't know how to tell the truth"

[Overseas]

10. No thank you. McZombie's age is already glaringly apparent.

No help required.

Don't want any "addressing the teacher" type of young person to older & wiser kind of resonance.

We'll pass on that.

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. Not necessary. Obama can handle himself well.

[LiberalFighter]

12. Respectful of your elders. Not others.

[kirby]

13. "Talk to the hand, Old Man" is my recommendation n/t

[MadrasT]

15. I liked "John". "Sir" shows too much deference to a rude idiot

that kept repeating, "What my opponent doesn't seem to understand is..." and steadfastly refused to look Obama in the eye.

Fuck that. McGrumpy doesn't deserve "Sir" under any circumstance.