Comments on: Debate #1: McCain vs Obama http://www.dcthornton.com/2008/09/26/debate-1-mccain-vs-obama/ traveling the road less traveled since 2001 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:09:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ben http://www.dcthornton.com/2008/09/26/debate-1-mccain-vs-obama/comment-page-1/#comment-48820 ben Sat, 27 Sep 2008 05:18:44 +0000 http://www.dcthornton.com/?p=2887#comment-48820 Not just "John" but "Jim" and IIRC, once as "Tom." Here's something to ponder: In 2004, Bush never addressed Kerry directly, nor did he give Kerry a name... he was simply "My opponent." I thought it a shrewd tactic, not acknowledging him beyond 'some guy I have to beat this go-round.' This time, yes, McCain has given his opponent a name; at the same time, he did not once look at Obama, nor do I recall a direct addressing of anything to Obama... even in the "bitch, please" moment WRT Iran he spoke to the moderator while, as you stated above, Obama tried to directly address McCain, by first name. My liberal friends thought it rude and cowardly; I thought it shrewd, but not quite as shrewd as Bush in 04 (leading me to believe Rove's not heavily involved this time around). What's your take on this? Not just “John” but “Jim” and IIRC, once as “Tom.”

Here’s something to ponder:
In 2004, Bush never addressed Kerry directly, nor did he give Kerry a name… he was simply “My opponent.” I thought it a shrewd tactic, not acknowledging him beyond ‘some guy I have to beat this go-round.’

This time, yes, McCain has given his opponent a name; at the same time, he did not once look at Obama, nor do I recall a direct addressing of anything to Obama… even in the “bitch, please” moment WRT Iran he spoke to the moderator while, as you stated above, Obama tried to directly address McCain, by first name.

My liberal friends thought it rude and cowardly; I thought it shrewd, but not quite as shrewd as Bush in 04 (leading me to believe Rove’s not heavily involved this time around).

What’s your take on this?

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