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Event organizers fail to force candidates to true debate. Obama’s charisma triumphs over McCain’s policy.

The bell tolled at Belmont University Tuesday night.  Did you hear it?  Senator Obama is dinging and donging his way to the White House.  Barring a considerable momentum-changing incident, Barack and Michelle Obama’s change of address card will read “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”

That other sound you hear is a wheel that came off of Senator McCain’s Straight Talk Express (Senator Obama’s quote).

With one contest remaining, Senator Obama was the clear victor in this second presidential debate.  [For the record:  In the previous debate I rated Governor Palin the slight victor over Senator Biden.  {See my article Palin Wins Over Biden in Close VP Debate}].

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Let’s face it, Americans choose their presidents on qualities such as charisma, character, and leadership abilities.  Issues and policy rank as second rate criteria.  We all say how important the issues are, and we do hold to positions that are important to us, but we are more concerned with regal impressions.

I personally am frustrated that issues are never fully debated.  We need a format where we can resolve policy and platform differences.  Only God can truly compare and contrast these candidate’s true hidden positions and discern their ultimate intentions.

Senators Obama and McCain are afraid to engage each other down to the nitty gritty detail like we Americans would like to see.  {Oh that we had Tim Russert to candidly force the issue.}  Put the issues on the table and address the specifics with candor, Senators!  Instead they focus on the “he said/she said” scenarios that turn-off voters.  Moderators are caught in a bind between personal and network agendas and the ticking clock, preventing them from fashioning the debate towards the resolution of particular issues. 

In this light, these are the reasons why Senator Obama was the clear debate winner.

  • Senator Obama is a smooth talker. His focus Tuesday night was on connecting with clarity. Senator McCain’s accusatory attacks largely were ineffective, while his constant emphasis on “my record” and “my friends” was tiring. Mr. McCain’s record is longer and better than Mr. Obama’s, but Americans are more concerned with allure than they are with how to spell Waziristan.
  • Senator Obama came off astonishingly more credible on foreign policy than Senator McCain did. In fact, Mr. Obama bested Mr. McCain in the Arizona Senator’s recognizable strength. Americans unfortunately gloss over the details of foreign policy striving instead for an image of acuity. Senator Obama has grown in his leadership persona, and he whipped Senator McCain at his own game.
  • Senator Obama painted a middling picture for himself. Moderation, french (rather than plain) vanilla, mid-American appearance is what wins presidential elections in the USA. Senator Obama’s charisma overshadows issues that would normally usher any undecided conservatives to propel Senator McCain to office.

Both candidates championed their positions, but it doesn’t matter.  The Nashville night was overrun by Obama charm.

Obama, who has more skeletons in his closet than does McCain, loses to McCain on character issues.  McCain, the former combat warrior who has a strong leadership persona, wins the “trustability factor.”

Nevertheless, Senator McCain will not be moving into the White House for the same reason that I won’t. Neither one of us has that charismatic appeal to the masses.  Senator Obama oozes the stuff.