McCain did his best in the debate that matters the least, but he won where it counts: the first 20 minutes. After that he went down, but so did much of the country -- to sleep that is -- along with most of the plumbers in America.

McCain won on every issue except the one that over 70 percent of Americans care about: the economy.

There were gaping opportunities to nail Obama on his numerous economic illusions from cutting taxes for 95 percent of Americans to his balloney admittal that he would prefer not to pay taxes, or anyone to pay taxes, that went unchallenged -- another puzzling McCain missed opportunity.

After tonight there is no question Senator Obama is getting a gigantic pass. Listening to him wax poetic about Republican principles from tax relief to personal responsibility is as confusing as a Jessica Simpson autobiography.

Obama finished stronger while McCain lost voters with his beltway mumbo jumbo. I'll give points, as usual, to Obama for his smooth operator style.

The winner? Joe the plumber.

As the frontrunner Obama needed to hold the line tonight, and he did. He likely won favor with undecided voters and women because of his ability to motivate through emotion and tap into the emotional component of viewers' personal values. He earned extra credit for his cool, confident demeanor.

McCain was tough but he didn't deliver a knockout. He did what he needed to do which was step up his game and avoid error. He was solid where it counted: the economy, and convincing voters he's ready on day one. His latest, and seemingly last minute, proposal to have the government spend billions to buy failing mortgages could turn around the ship if messaged effectively in the days that follow. But it could be political kryptonite with fiscal conservatives.

The ruling? McCain won some rounds but the bout goes to Obama. Series score: 1-1.

What do you think about last night's debate? Send me an email.

Tonight McCain needs to address the financial crisis and the economy head on while he toots his own horn on being right in 2005 on Freddie and Fannie.  He needs to debunk this highly propagated Democratic urban legend that deregulation is bad and call for proper regulation and responsibility going forward. 

Channeling Reagan is essential: offer a clear, inspiration vision, then draw contrasts with whatever and whoever disagrees.  The Mac needs to shoot holes through the misleading proposals of Barack Obama and explain why his Santa Claus like list of promises to the American people is a bunch of ballony. 

He needs to reveal the most liberal, most highly marketed politician we've seen since Carter. Obama is the political equivalent of the ipod. Exceptionally well  marketed and sold in cool packaging. Entertaining, but emply. Or in Obama's case, filled with some really bad tunes. Reveal it.

Finally, lose the grimace, McCain. And please give Obama some eye contact this time. You reminded us of a fuming father who would speak to you but not look at you when you're in trouble (I know the face well). I think you lost women, swing voters and Independents because of your mug in the last debate.
 
History is not on your side, but the facts are. Use them. 
 

 

Palin won the debate because she exceeded expectations and connected with the American people on a personal level, but neither candidate crushed the other. I'm also not convinced either one reached out to sway the valuable undecided voter. Governor Palin breathed life into the McCain campaign and rectified public opinion about her competency, which was crucial. Republicans, heave a sigh of relief.

Palin's strengths: Using Biden's own words about Obama and McCain against him. Brilliant. She was able to relate to a majority of Americans and her body language was authentic, warm and direct. Like Obama, she spoke directly to the American people and came off much more likeable than her opponent. Unlike Hillary she has the gift of appearing shrewd without being shrill.

Palin's weakness: Failing to tell Americans the real deal on the housing crisis. Republicans are tiptoeing around this issue in order to avoid being called politically incorrect. It was a missed opportunity to go after the Democrats and their insistence to protect Freddie and Fannie and their belief that every man, woman, child, dog and goldfish should own their own home even if they cannot afford it.

Best line (with regard to the fiscal crisis) "Never again."

Biden's strength: He's polished (as anyone would be after spending the last three decades in the Senate). There is no question his handle on foreign policy is exceptional. He's smooth and a much better liar than Palin. Practice makes perfect, I suppose.

Biden's weakness: He is completely divorced from honesty. Either he knows he's lying and doesn't care or he isn't aware and is just plain ill informed. His body language was off-putting. Like McCain he appeared angry and contemptuous. That phony smile is nauseating. Senator: watch a tape of Palin and Obama for pointers.

Worst line: "listen folks." That's what I call nuclear condescension.

Palin and McCain seem to relish in the underdog role and have the ability to deliver when the stakes are sky high. Though many cast doubt, I've called Palin McCain's secret weapon since the day he selected her. After tonight, should she be underestimated? Never again.

It's game time for Biden and Palin. Though it's been a rough couple of weeks for the Governor of Alaska prompted by visceral attacks from the left and pockets of bias from the often slanted media, she's still standing. Tonight is a big test.

Biden, on the other hand, hasn't made much news, though he should have. For every head scratch invoking comment the left has accused Palin of making, Biden has made his own. From his comments about Roosevelt being on television before the boob tube was invented, to his false gunfire hallucination much like Hillary's Bosnia flap, Biden's foot has been lodged in his jaw quite a few times, it's just not getting coverage.

As pollsters and pundits try and spin this evening's outcome, there is no question that Biden has more experience than Palin, though not executive experience, however. But more common sense, he does not. He's been on the wrong side of most issues since the start of his long career. An agent of change he is not, either. And relatable to most voters? Not quite. The Pennsylvania coal country shtick isn't fooling this Pennsylvania girl.  At the debate Biden's most difficult hurdle will be using restraint not to act like an arrogant blowhard.

Palin has many hurdles to surmount. Governor, here's your to do list: 

Your plain talk is a strength. Embrace it.  The McCain campaign often suffers from message constipation.  As of late you've been a victim of this ailment but it's not your modus operandi. Get back to what you do best: telling it like it is.  Obama might be comfortable pushing bull and spouting hot air, but you are not.  Make sure to can the baffling beltway jargon that McCain incessantly uses: earmarks, pork, DOD, etc.

Get Biden Comfortable. The more relaxed you can get Joe Biden on that stage, the more he lies, babbles on incessantly, reverts to his old school politician like persona, and let's be frank, says really, really dumb stuff.

Keep off defense.   Assail the top of the Obama ticket on his crushing tax plan, his gargantuan spending proposals that would ruin our already shaky economy, and his nonsensical foreign affairs positions. Highlight his failure to lead. In the Illinois Senate, in the US Senate and now as a candidate for President, particularly when it comes to the financial crisis. Obama's motto has always been: "when the going gets tough, the tough vote present." Expose it.

Mobilize your echo chamber.  If you say something unscholarly have your campaign and their surrogates armed and ready to stop the bleeding. Liberals are better organized this time around and are ready to assault you en masse. You need your own army of staunch defenders willing to fight and explain that, like most Americans, you are more comfortable speaking to a local rotary club than to Harvard alumni association.

Run Against Washington. You are the only one on either ticket who can believably embrace the true political outsider mantra. Tie Washington to Obama and Biden and promote yourself as unscathed by the corruption and circus of Capitol Hill.  There is no better time to be out of the loop. By loop I mean the beltway. Tout it.

Motivate by reason, persuade through emotion. The Palin family has been through tough times. Your husband has been out of a job. You've had difficulty affording healthcare and paying bills. Use your story to inspire.  Bring difficult questions back to a personal level. Give this nation the pep talk only a mom can.

Be Yourself.  Inject humor and charm. Be pithy and to the point, and never let them see you sweat. I understand you've been surrounded by some of the dullest, most defensive staffers on the planet. Ignore their tired talking points and blaze your own message trail.

I watched some footage from your debates in Alaska. You were a confident, capable candidate. I hope that woman shows up tonight. Carpe diem, sister.

McCain won tonight's first debate. He appeared strong, seasoned, and resolute. But he was supposed to win. This was his strong suit. Obama didn't press McCain as hard as he could have. Let me make one thing clear: Obama did not bomb it. Some might say by holding his own it's a win for Obama, McCain simply seemed much more solid. This solidity comes from years of experience because when you have been through as much as Senator McCain has, adversity never leaves one where it finds them.

The most apparent difference between the two: how stylistically different both candidates are. After tonight this couldn't be more evident.

McCain's strengths:

- Tough times call for tough leaders and McCain was relentless. He did not cede one inch of ground to Obama.

-McCain went negative without seeming offensive. During a handful of times Obama seemed rattled. Specifically when it came to negotiating with rogue nations without pre-conditions and the Russian - Georgian conflict.

McCain's weaknesses:

-Where's the eye contact, John. I'm no body language expert but you seemed snobby.

Obama's strengths:

-Senator Obama showed a command of the issues, even though he's grossly off base with his solutions. Someone's been studying.

-His ability to persuade through emotion. Obama's opening statement and language during the beginning of the debate was much more relatable to the common voter.

-Obama came across very, very likeable. I don't care what anyone says. He was polite--almost too polite-and exponentially more bi-partisan, though his record indicates otherwise.

Obama's weakness:

-Obama missed significant opportunities to hammer McCain, and Republicans. Big mistake.

This makes the next two debates even more interesting, and the stakes even higher for both.