2008 Presidential Debates

Barack Obama v. John McCain

September 26. 2008

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama squared off with Republican, John McCain, in a debate about the state of America and its place in the world. For the most part, the debate was civil, but McCain began to get somewhat angry towards the end.

Barack looked somewhat somber while McCain seemed a bit more upbeat. They both argued various points, some of which drew laughter, while at other points you could hear a pin drop. I think Obama did a better job refuting McCain’s negative claims about him, than McCain was able to refute Obama’s negative claims about him. However, McCain was able to insert his political and international experience more than Obama.

Barack Obama (Democrat)

McCain’s foreign policy approach doesn’t sit well with me. He needs restraint in this area. He seems too dismissive of other nations such as Russia, Iran and North Korea. While I believe Democracy is the best form of government, I realize others don’t share that view, but they still deserve a certain level of distinction due to any nation on the map.

Yes, you may not like their leadership or their policies, but give the nations the respect they are due as sovereign countries. It is apart of the reason international relations with the American government and the world have grown so frosty in the Bush era.

John McCain (Republican)

While one doesn’t have to agree with everyone, don’t treat other nations as two bit countries that you don’t even have to address. Try to remember the citizens that live in those countries are people too. What’s wrong with talking to countries you disagree with. In not doing so, it is making international tensions much harder to dissolve.

Obama made many statements about what he would like to do with the U.S. economy if given the chance. A lot of it was idealistic, but after what George Bush has done to the nation’s finances and is trying to pull off before he leaves office, not realistic.

John McCain (left) and George Bush (right)

I do think Obama is smarter than McCain. It has nothing to do with color. Obama comes across as more educated and articulate. However, McCain comes across as knowing Washington more than Obama, and depending on who you ask, may or may not be a good thing. McCain has more experience, but what is he going to do with that experience – be another 4 years of George Bush. America cannot take that.