It seems you can't teach an old dog new tricks. McCain has made it clear he will follow candidate protocol and default to smear tactics in a last-ditch effort to swing votes his way. If tonight's debate goes the way I think it will, Obama will gain even a wider lead.
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Obama says he wants change. Many have asked what 'change" that is. Tonight, Obama has an opportunity to show us he is committed to change by following up his statements that he will concentrate on the topics; the economy, the war, and other current issues. McCain and Palin, on the other hand, have already started following the age-old tradition of avoiding the topics at hand and instead smearing their competition. I guess the question for America is: is that what we want? Do the issues not matter as much as calling the other man a cheat, liar or some other far-fetched accusation? Will McCain try to bring up alleged ties to terrorists despite that has been disproven? Will he concentrate on Obama's Muslim past? Does McCain not care about the issues enough to put his personal feelings for his competition aside long enough to "talk straight" to America about our economic woes?
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Folks, these next two debates are paramount but tonight's, I think, is most important. This is McCain's last opportunity to get votes into his pocket. How is he going to do it? McCain seems desperate, reaching out for anything he thinks can give him a foothold. He knows he can't compete with Obama on the economy and his strong point is foreign affairs, but all the data suggests an overwhelming number of the American people are more worried about the economy than the war. Other than that, many American's feel the "ignore and starve them" approach by McCain as opposed to opening a dialogue with them as proposed by Obama is a failed strategy. Do people understand that the probability of terrorists in the Middle East having access is extremely high, thanks to North Korea? Sure, we can sanction Kim Jong Il but keep in mind, North Korea is starving. They have no money. But they have nukes. Now consider that Middle Eastern terrorists have a LOT of money but no nukes. It's a simple matter of supply and demand here, folks. If it hasn't already happened, it's a miracle, and only a matter of time before it does. Ignoring and starving North Korea is not the answer. We need to talk, establish boundaries and lay down the law. McCain doesn't seem to be interested in doing any of that.
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Please pay close attention to the debate tonight. If you're keeping score, add points for answers that remain on topic for both candidates and deduct scores for every insinuation, slur or attempt to smear and tally the points at the end of the debate. If Obama is indeed committed to change, he'll avoid smearing as much as possible. He has every right to defend himself and throw a little mud back if it's tossed to him, but if he can concentrate on the issues rather than his opponent, I feel he'll sweep this debate. If McCain can do the same he may be able to reclaim some of that gap between the two but, personally, I am not holding my breath. McCain has already proven he is "business as usual" when it comes to these debates and this entire race. He's using the same tactics as every politician before him; do everything you can to discredit your opponent. That's priority one. After all, it's not about being better than your opponent, it's about making your opponent appear worse than you. Do we really want more of the same in the White House?
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Watch the debate, folks. Come back here to discuss after if you like. Will we see change from Obama or no? Will "The Maverick" surprise us all by actually sticking to a clean fight?
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Predictions?