Checking in from Fresno, CA...

[kentuck]

Watched the debate the other night. The consensus here was that Obama won the debate the minute that McCain decided to go negative with Bill Ayres-type attacks. The only way that McCain could possibly have made the contest more competitive was to present a credible economic plan of his own and to discredit Obama's plan in the process. If he could have made a convincing argument, even to his own supporters, then he would still be in the race.

Unfortunately for McCain and his supporters, he decided to climb on the same horse that has won for them for the last 28 years - the old "go negative" horse. He would paint Obama as a terrorist sympathizer and a person of few morals and bad judgment. But, it did not work. There was no way for it to work, because the times are so different now. John McCain and the Republican Party have shown how truly out of touch they are with the American people.

John McCain had an opportunity to save the "conservative" movement but he decided to go negative instead. He could have preached the saving grace of "free markets" and more tax breaks for the wealthy, because they are the ones that create the jobs that we need. He could have more aggressively attacked Obama's plan as class warfare and socialistic. He could have said that it was not the "conservative" philosophy that was to blame for our present predicament and most of his supporters would have agreed with him.

However, he only skimmed the surface and the conservative movement may have gasped its last breath. The bullies that wanted to drown government in a bathtub, find themselves lying naked on their beds with the people firmly pushing the pillows into their faces. If there were not such a high price to pay, it would be a good time to rejoice.

[Beregond2]

1. And how would he have done that?

His idiotic statements about raising taxes and "class warfare" sounded absurd in today's climate. To have gone even farther down that road would only have put him into deeper quicksand. He took the only route open to him, and it had predictable results.

[kentuck]

2. The conservatives would have bought it.

And many other "Joe, the plumber" types. I agree that it would have been a very hard sell but that was the only credible option he had. Going negative sealed his doom, in my opinion.

[goodgd_yall]

3. In the debates, I think the perception of Presidentiality is important

That, I think, as much as content plays a big role in who is considered the winner. Obama, each time, has come across as Presidential in his cool and collected responses. McCain, on the other hand, exhibits frustration, excitability, and anger.

[kentuck]

5. I cannot disagree..

Barack Obama looked much more presidential. He maintained his cool throughout - even when some of us wanted him to go negative on McCain. No doubt, he has incredible political instincts.

[Le Taz Hot]

4. ????

I don't remember you being from Fresburg or are you just visiting? Either way, in case you're interested, there's phone banking going on for "No on 8" every Sunday and Tuesday evening from 6-9 in the Tower District. I would have posted this in the California forum but I'm sick to death of the Fresno bashing that goes on there.

Peace

LTH

[kentuck]

6. I am visiting.

I have noticed a lot of Obama yard signs as I drive around the neighborhoods. For what it's worth.

I will be driving back to Colorado tomorrow.