Two Down, One to Go

The debate at Belmont University down the road in Nashville tonight was different animal. The debate was in the town hall format that John McCain has been wanting from Barack Obama since both got their party’s nods. Town Halls have been where McCain usually shines in the past. Unfortunately this really wasn’t like any town hall meeting I’ve seen before.

Tonight the topics started off with the economy. It’s a hard subject to avoid when it seems the whole world is feeling it’s grip as it slides further downhill.

Tom Brokaw did a good job to hold the debaters to the rules. Something the Vice Presidential debate was lacking in. Brokaw tried to balance the questions with the ones submitted online. The time limit was one of the hardest rules he was to enforce. The rule that was badly needed would be to quit saying “my friends”, it was just so patronizing to hear over and over.

When I heard McCain mention Meg Whitman as one of his campaign advisor I couldn’t help but be a little distracted thinking about the layoffs Ebay has had to take with the economy. The question for me was did she create the bubble at Ebay or could Ebay do better if she was still at the helm. So much for my diversion.

The split screen used by NBC and CBS brought back the Rosie O’Donnell/Elisabeth Hasselbeck memories.

My overall take on the debate tonight was that both men found points to stand out, but nothing to be elevated way above the other. McCain did better than any debate I’ve seen engaged in since he began his run. His “my friends” line has grown old on me, much like the “maverick” moniker he slapped on himself. Historically Aaron Burr will always be considered the original maverick in American politics. Obama could have took a stronger rebuttal stand on McCain’s attacks. The Obama kung fu was strongest on the economy. Both were good on entitlements, but no one knocked one out the park on those sliders. My scoring would have to 53/47 for Obama, mainly because I see the economy to be the bedrock all the issues this election are laid on.

It was hard to get a good look as the candidates and their spouses greeted the crowd, but I thought it seemed odd that Cindy McCain didn’t try to go out and the shake hands in the audience. She stood back, from what I could see, like the whole crowd had leprosy every time the cameras were on her.

I’m pretty much an undecided voter and I’m wanting to hear more on policies, goals and issues. So far the waters are muddy from all the pundits to make informed choice.