Rhetoric vs. Record

Senators McCain and Obama squared off for the final time last night at Hofstra University in Long Island. This was clearly McCain's best showing, yet it may not make a difference in the outcome on 4 November. McCain was clearly more feisty and on message during most of the debate. He fought back against Obama's charge that he, McCain, is not Goerge Bush: "If you wanted to run against President Bush, Senator Obama, you should have run against him four years ago". In addition, McCain tried to portray Obama as a tax and spend liberal wondering aloud "why would we raise anyone's taxes" in such poor economic conditions. McCain even went as far as bringing up the issue of William Ayers calling him a "washed up terrorist". McCain also scored fairly well with "Joe the Plummer" from Ohio who wants to buy the business he works for but may not because he will be taxed under the Obama plan for making more than $250K. McCain probably could have done a little more by pounding on the "spread it around" comment Obama made in Ohio, but that's been one of the problems for McCain all along: focus. The race turned on 15 September when McCain uttered the words, "the fundamentals of the economy are strong". The collapse on Wall Street and McCain's seemingly out of touch remarks may have cost him the election if he cannot change the conversation. He made a good attempt last night, but it may be a case of too little, too late.

McCain has a number of obstacles to overcome namely: 1. the economy is souring and he does not appear to have a message or plan to help it along, though he just came out with a six point plan earlier in the week; 2. he's trying to succeed a president who's disapproval ratings are near 75%. As long as Obama talks about Bush and the failed policies of the last 8 years, it will be difficult for McCain to break through; and 3. 90% of the country believes it's on the wrong track. This is significant because the voters are saying that we're willing to break completely away and go in a new direction even if it means electing a very liberal president and congress, with a filibuster-proof majority. If McCain were smart he'd start running ads like a fast motor car with three engines and no brakes pointed directly at a cliff to represent the kind of policies we'll get if we do not check the Democrats now. Does anyone realize that Congress has only a 9% approval rating?

What may save McCain in the end is something Fred Thompson said at the RNC in Minneapolis. "There are two things you never have to ask about John McCain: Who is this man? And, what does he stand for?" Even in these bleak times, Obama has not yet sealed the deal. Only time will tell if he can or if Americans come to their seneses.

There are 19 days until the presidential election. There are 95 days left in the Bush presidency. And, it's been 7 years, 1 month, and 5 days since there's been a terrorist attack on US soil. Good day and God bless!