Debate’s Over. What did you think?

The second Presidential debate is over. So who won? Who took cheap shots? What did you learn about the candidates?

This is what I learned:

Throughout the length of this entire campaign, Barack Obama has be steady, consistent, and always — presidential. The millions of Americans who watched last night’s debate again saw a man with integrity, wisdom and maturity explain his positions and the crisis we all find ourselves in at this moment. Judging from every poll I’ve seen since the conclusion of the debate, the vast majority of Americans saw what I saw: a leader.

In contrast, the John McCain we saw last night did not live up to his billing as an “experienced soldier
ready to lead”. We saw a man who was not civil, was not respectful of others, did not have a full understanding of the economic complexities that have led to this crisis, nor did he show an ability to explain the situation to the American people.

One of the things Americans need most at this time is a leader who can calm us and explain to us what is going on and why it will all be OK eventually. John McCain is not that man.

One remarkable thing about McCain’s performance was his ability to at once come off as both old and immature. His tendency to condescend — not just Obama, but audience members as well — reveals, I think, an insecurity that a man his age, with his vast years of experience, should not have.

Of course, much has already be made about McCain’s reference to Obama as “that one”.

McCain’s attacks on Obama for being too much of a hawk for announcing his intentions to chase Osama bin Laden into the mountains of Pakistan, if need be, only set himself up for the counterpunch any political watcher could see coming from a mile away. “Bomb, bomb, bomb… Bomb, bomb Iran…”

By the way, you’ll be hard pressed to find an American who doesn’t support sending a missile into Bin Laden’s cave, no matter where it is.

As Obama’s lead in the polls grows, McCain and his lipsticked pit-bull have ramped up the intensity and the personal nature of the attacks, but by doing so McCain reveals more and more about his own character. And the American people aren’t liking what they’re seeing.

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