All things considered, it’s about a draw Matthew Yglesias, Think Progress

US presidential rivals Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama have attacked each other over foreign policy and the economy, in their first debate.

Mr Obama said a $700bn (£380bn) plan to rescue the US economy was the “final verdict” on years of Republican rule.

He said Mr McCain had been “wrong” on Iraq and tried to link him to President Bush. The Republican senator described his rival as too inexperienced to lead.

Neither landed a knockout blow but polls suggested Mr Obama did better.

An immediate telephone poll by CNN and Opinion Research Corp found 51% said Mr Obama had won, to 38% for Mr McCain.

A poll of uncommitted voters by CBS News found that 39% gave Mr Obama victory, 25% thought John McCain had won, and 36% thought it was a draw.

Both campaigns claimed victory, with Mr McCain’s team saying their candidate had shown a “mastery on national security issues” while Mr Obama’s aides said he had passed the commander-in-chief test “with flying colours”.

Tens of millions of Americans were expected to watch the debate on TV, with only about five weeks to go before the 4 November elections.  (Source: BBC NEWS | Americas | US rivals spar in first TV debate)

Editorial:

Yes, the debate was a technical draw.  The thing about that, however, is subjectively the debate will thus be a win for the Obama camp.  Why?  Because this was supposed to be the debate that John McCain won.  It’s his strength.  And there is no doubt he has experience in issues of foreign policy.  The loss is given that Obama held is own and, overall, appeared more Presidential than McCain.

McCain was wise to try and hammer the “naive” point, however he did it to an almost patronizing degree, which came off as him losing his composure.  However, any time he attacked Obama, the Illinois senator corrected him making McCain seem divisive and out to spin the facts.  Unfortunately for McCain, he did not notably correct Obama on any attack against the Arizona senator thus legitimizing the Democrat’s authority on the facts.

McCain was right to focus on “the surge”, but that’s about all he could say in terms of the “War in Iraq”.  As well, Obama was able to one-up McCain pointing out that the decision-makers on the strategy there essentially agree with his plans for future military action in the region (basically that Afghanistan is the real battleground).  McCain was at his best when explaining the fragility of the situation there, but did not follow that by appearing the most prepared to handle the matter.  In fact, Obama nailed him on handling delicate matters citing McCain’s “Bomb Iran” song.  However the junior Senator then gave away that advantage overemphasizing how wrong McCain was in his decision to go to Iraq rather than solidifying points that not only his past but his future judgment regarding the “War on Terror” have been most wise.

In terms of foreign policy overall, McCain was able to parade his experience but Obama matched that with foresight, unveiling that even the Bush administration is starting to enact policies that the Democratic Presidential nominee championed throughout his campaign while McCain leans toward the failed ways of the past.  They also argued different points of the fact that Kissinger did promote talks with Iran without preconditions (Kissinger later said “non-presidential” talks – something the Bush administration is currently pursuing).

In terms of economic policy, the debate kicked off with that, which is inevitable given the situation.  Neither candidate could comment on whether they were going to vote for the bill that was out at that time, however Obama laid out four core principles he thought should be in the bill.  The third debate between them will address the economy more.  Obama will be going into that debate as the stronger candidate given that McCain has previously acknowledged his weakness on economic issues.  And given the fact that the new economic bailout bill is (according to Sen. John Kerry) founded around the principles Obama laid out in the debate and supposedly better for the American taxpayer.

I’ve been reading a lot about people being disappointed with the first debate, but this is how debates always are.  As well, they are MUCH more subtle than people seem to remember every four years.  As they should be, both candidates know better than to shoot off at the mouth and sink their campaign.  In fact, a portion of this election will come down to who can keep the most level head and restore America’s relationships across the world.  Surely we’ve seen what a faux maverick can do in the White House.

So I just finished The Paragon’s post [link] and spent about an hour skimming through the world’s reaction to McCain’s VP nomination on BBC News [link]. Thankfully most of the world sees the choice for what it is, a desperate move to try and draw Hillary zealots and traditional conservatives. Which I assume McCain didn’t expect anyone to pick up on, so now the world is insulted – especially the women.

I laughed at one person who thought the VP choice was some brilliant landmine to help the right-wing harp on Obama’s inexperience if anyone questions Palin’s experience, when in actuality it undermines all the months of attacks on Obama. Essentially it’s a lay up, just start your criticism with “McCain attacked Obama’s inexperience for months and then selects Palin who…” Insert the laundry list of faults she has going against her that make McCain’s selection a seriously disturbing error in judgment. If debate persists, rinse and repeat.

Which yes, just lay’s up the judgment argument against “C. Niles McCane”. When already barely defending his judgment by claiming the surge worked (more so patting himself on the back over how the “surge” brought the situation in Iraq -having gone from terrible to horrendous- back to merely terrible) McCain now has to defend his choice in a VP who doesn’t counter Barack Obama but instead establishes hypocrisy that his campaign has to weasel around before making its arguments.

Then you have the so-called strategy to win Hillary supporters. Which is an insult to women, so much so that I’m insulted. You’re essentially saying that they will vote for Palin simply because she is a woman. Regardless of how she stands for the exact opposite of everything Hillary Clinton did, including Clinton’s sparse attempts at claiming she was not riding her husband’s coattails (which she stopped addressing), in that Palin has already intrinsically admitted riding coattails by claiming she is picking up where Hillary left off and shattering “the highest glass ceiling” – though not, since the highest glass ceiling would not be vice president. Maybe she is alluding to McCain’s likelihood of passing away while in office; a humorously morbid statement to make especially with that man standing by her side. I was insulted however at the commenter who likened it to Black people voting for Obama because he is Black – so dissimilar in that those Black folks probably would have voted for whatever Democrat was selected, Obama being Black is just icing. To clarify, were Condoleeza running she would not have the same support. Which makes you wonder, as in-line as Palin is to the right-wing agenda why didn’t McCain select Rice? He already gave up trying to distance himself from Bush/Cheney and hugged The Decider when he endorsed McCain’s campaign.

That Midas touch of Bush points to what’s possibly the understated truth. McCain’s campaign is kinda like the Titanic. Last week, they were merely headed for the iceberg but had plenty of time to change course and possibly squeak out a convincing victory. However, joining a campaign like that is a risk few politicians are willing to make, especially when up against a savvy campaign like Obama’s (you have to admit, Hillary was the presumptive front runner last year and his campaign systematically dismantled that). Why would a GOP member risk that kind of historic loss when they could just wait for a future run? Who wants to be the candidate that opposed “Hope”? Imagine how long you would have to wait before you could win your party’s nomination again.

That said Palin is likely a concession of the election by the McCain campaign. I’m not sure if it is an intentional concession or not but I’d like to think his campaign does “get it” unlike Obama said and has purposely picked this candidate that could so easily be used to point out the flaws in McCain’s judgment and campaign. Again, if he were to pass away in office, Palin would be President. Let that marinate. I say this as I try to find more on the time during a speech in which she gave away the deployment information of her son’s unit, endangering his and his fellow soldiers’ lives.

So why am I nervous…
Well, I’m sure Palin has her benefits but i’m not sure they outweigh her liabilities which is why most of the think tank was not expecting the choice. (My first thought was “ah, Lassie-choice, somebody that won’t undermine Presidential decisions” – not a jab at gender.) The reason the choice is surprising is that a candidate would have to harbor an extremely brilliant team behind him to spin this VP choice into an overall asset to the campaign. Though McCain is the nominee now, he was almost out of the race because they couldn’t handle their finances. Yet for that reason I would in no way count McCain out, CLEARLY he (though really I mean those behind him) knows how to appeal to his party and stay competitive. Essentially the choice is so crazy it might work.

Whether this is rolling over and playing dead or not -which for some is a strategy and some a concession- I know Obama better not concede if McCain somehow wins in November. There are a lot of people out there and though some truly believe this an “inspired” VP choice, it seems most everyone else sees the iceberg. I’ve read a number of comments about people more likely to vote for Obama now after McCain’s first action as potential President. However, I don’t recall seeing anyone inspired to “abandon Change” and vote GOP now that it is the McCain/Palin ticket. Even still, I am wary of foul play and the most dubious spinning EVER on the horizon.

Recounts… all day.

[In case you care...]
Who is Palin?
Why the fuss?

Let the spin begin…

Most comprehensive yet…

Jesse Jackson recently made a public apology for crass comments about Barack Obama. The civil rights leader believed that Obama was condescending to African-Americans with his faith-based initiative. Whispering to another guest before a live interview on Fox, Jackson said “See, Barack been, um, talking down to black people on this faith based… I want to cut his nuts off… Barack… he’s talking down to black people.”

Jackson argued in a news conference Wednesday that in addition to the senator’s present speeches harboring the ability to be interpreted as ‘speaking down’ to Black people, Obama should address more afro-centric issues such as the mortgage crisis, unemployment, and the disproportionate numbers of Blacks in prison. However, Rev. Jackson also apologized for his remarks, particularly when he learned they would be aired later that evening on The O’Reilly Factor. “For any harm or hurt that this hot mic private conversation may have caused, I apologize,” Jackson offered in a written apology earlier in the day. “My support for Senator Obama’s campaign is wide, deep and unequivocal.”

In a calculated response, the Obama campaign noted the breadth of issues addressed by the Illinois senator. “He will continue to speak out about our responsibilities to ourselves and each other, and he of course accepts Rev. Jackson’s apology,” remarked Bill Burton, an Obama campaign spokesman. However, Jackson’s past comments about Obama “acting like he’s white” have torn somewhat of a rift between that Reverend and his son, Rep Jesse Jackson Jr., who has stated of his father, “His divisive and demeaning comments about the presumptive Democratic nominee — and I believe the next president of the United States — contradict his inspiring and courageous career.”

In the wake of media attention following the comment, additional notable minds within the African-American community have been tapped to weigh in on the aftermath such as author and Professor Michael Eric Dyson of Georgetown University. When asked if the situation would help or hurt Obama’s campaign, Dyson responded “It doesn’t hurt it. I think that with many people it just reinforces the fact that [Obama] is a man intent upon hammering the anvil of social responsibility as well as personal responsibilty.”

Editorial:

Jesse Jesse Jesse… ::sigh:: First off, good job whispering it. Meaning you knew enough that just in case yo mic wasn’t off that sh*t might not get picked up. And your mic wasn’t off now was it? And that sh*t did get picked up now didn’t it?

Second, why the [edited] would Barack need to reach out for the Black vote?! C’mon now, JJ! [That's right , i called him "JJ" ... he's fallen to that level right now.] Obama already had 90%. That means even those high-sadiddy cats that usually vote republican -you know, to further distance themselves from the reality that they too are the same people that most of America thinks is out to [insert crime] them- are voting for ThaRack. He wasn’t really talking to us with this faith-based initiative. Dude has to play to middle now, that’s how you get elected. I’d be mad at him if he didn’t. Clearly he’s a wise politician. Some folks remember your campaign, JJ… silence. So you was confused from jump this time.

Lastly, even if he had been trying to talk down to Black folks. You can’t say that dude would be all that wrong to do so. We been f*cking up for a minute now. And clearly any brotha/sista NOT already voting for him has some issues. Hell, cats that are voting for him have issues. Jesse, you got issues!! (‘Hot mic’ my @$$; pause.) So if the one cat that seriously could be the next president wants to condescend to help folks get on the ball, let him. From there, “let he who is without [bullsh*t issues keeping him/her from being the next president] cast the first stone.” … … silence.

So, can we please… please… make an agreement amongst us (“tenders to yo’ cotton money”), not to f*ck up til 01.20.09 less a few hundred thousand swing votes change their mind. After that… go BET all day. ::shudder::

Post-scrippa: Cut his nuts off?! Why is JJ gangsta? Extra mafioso with the retaliation. No more Sopranos for him. What, do we have “The Afro-sheen Don” over here? What about the rest of us “unidentified black males”?

“Ain’t no stoppin’ us now…”

In a speech this afternoon, Senator Hillary Clinton officially withdrew from the race for the Democratic party nomination and endorsed Senator Barack Obama. The announcement of today’s speech came only a couple days ago but already much anticipation and even more speculation surrounded the event. Amongst a crowd of supporters Hillary offered the following in her 28-minute address…

“The way to continue our fight now to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next president of the United States.

Today as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run. I endorse him and throw my full support behind him and I ask of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me.”

Many have questioned the future of Senator Clinton following her concession. Interviews with supporters offer a range of guesses including Vice President and cabinet member. Additionally, Obama was reported to have privately met with Senator Clinton days ago though the topic of discussion remains unclear.

Literally, not a moment too soon.

Reports from the Clinton campaign announce that she will concede her party’s nomination Saturday and endorse Senator Obama. A conference call to senior Democrats was among the turning points in her stance. She still has yet to publicly admit she lost the contest. However, all primaries have concluded and Clinton remains short of the necessary delegate count needed to become the Democratic nominee. Supporters were stunned in her speech as Obama claimed victory in which she seemed determined as ever to press onward.

Many (including we here at AfroThought) have speculated that her prolonged campaign was a tactic to position herself as the prominent choice for Vice President. Public opinion seems mixed about an Obama-Clinton ticket. While some feel it would unite the party, others feel she would negate the “change” so desired by the Obama campaign. It is however clear that Obama needs a running mate with foriegn policy experience, as well as experience in Washington. However many more see Clinton as far too polarizing a figure to aide the Obama ticket. Her active endorsement will definitely be much needed among the voting groups with which Obama has had difficulty. Clinton has expressed strong commitment to do “whatever it takes” to makes sure her party wins in November.

So yeh, Obama’s been gracefully dodging every bullet and obstacle, including the kitchen sink, that has been hurled his way. It was only a matter of time before one of these bullets lodged itself right into his ass. The one thing that hurts people the most is their own action/words. In regards to the “bitter” comment, he’s crossed a line that he obviously had no intention of crossing. When your very articulate as he is, the English language is your bitch. That being said, when u offend people, you usually tend to do it REALLY well. In this case, his command over his words played against him as he packed an exhaustive list of “insults” into a single sentence. Very impressive. I haven’t seen a politician do that as gracefully since Mr. Clinton himself.

Anyway, I mean there’s three things that the “general population” fear more than anything.

• Being Called a Racist – Today, simply imply that someone is a racist and watch their expression change from relaxed to shocked, then to embarrassed, then defensive. You will be then bombarded with what they consider irrefutable “proof” that they themselves cannot possibly be a racist because they “have a friend” who is _______. Apparently, that’s an automatic waiver. Even more apparent, the accusation of racist comments/feelings instantaneously strengthens the level of friendship between the accused and their ethnically infused “associate”.
• The Collective Organization and Mobilization of Black People – To be more specific, when I say “people” I mean men. Too often, the collective movement of black men is seen as militant, overly-dramatic, separatist, and “reverse-racist” (whatever the hell that means). Moreover, this phenomenon is accused of creating more division than bringing people together. Often people are asked, why can’t we just see that we’re all the same. My own personal answer to this is that “Me and you aren’t the same. And I’m not gonna treat you the same way that I’m gonna treat someone that’s more like me….and neither will you.” Blunt, but honest and also true. Which brings me to the third, and by far the most terrifying, fear of the general population.
• The Truth - Now my previous statement about me not being like you is true because there are certain biological and physical differences between me and you which would NEVER be forgotten. Instead we should embrace these differences, not ignore them. When I’m told I’m just like the next man, that shits on many things that makes us who we are. What we DO have in common, among other things, is that we are entitled to certain human and civil rights.

It’s this third point that I think Obama forgot. Actually, that’s not fair to him. He’s the candidate of change. His whole beliefs and platform are based on talking to the American people like the adults they are instead of talking to them like children, which to many of us is refreshing. But as we all know, if you break down the inconvenient truth to an immature ass grown-up. They start freaking the hell out. I think that Obama’s fault lies in him being TOO real. As a person who “doesn’t sugar coat stuff”, even I know that keeping it real till the end has its downside. I’m not saying that he shoulda been like “Sike!”, but I think that the general public is not ready…..f-that, NEVER going to be able to get that point or concept. I think that he should took the loss insteada trying so desperately rephrasing the truth in such a way that these people can understand it. Cuz no matter how you cut it, the truth is still the truth, and tha’s what people fear the most. Such is a fear that transcends race, religion, and sexual freakiness so Gen Pop, it’s not just you. No one likes hearing that. We can’t handle the truth.

WARNING: I know this is kinda late, but between work, school and standardized tests, this is NEWS to me.