Obama’s Debate Performance Is Chink In Armor

Posted at 12:37 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, in Uncategorized, and tagged 2008.

Although the setback in New Hampshire has to have the Obama campaign reeling, they are still in a great position. They should do very well in South Carolina, and they still have a lot of momentum and a lot of support moving forward to Super Tuesday (when I finally have a chance to voice an opinion, besides the blog, of course). Just as Iowa was one loss for Clinton, New Hampshire is the same for Obama. It is no big deal, no matter what the media purports the situation to be. As we saw last night, the media knows shit.

I do think last night’s surprise victory by Clinton is better in the long-run for the democrats, as it will delay the inevitable, whatever that inevitability is. I think it is even good for Obama. He needs to campaign more, and refine his message. And he certainly needs to do better in the debates. I think that performance on Saturday night killed him. Sooner or later, people will want to hear more actual policy ideas from him.

This is how Obama handles substantive debating now…

Question from debate moderator: “Senator Obama, what ideas do you have for fixing Social Security?”

Obama: “People want change in this country. People need change, and they are demanding it. Never before in this nation’s history, has there ever been a more resounding chorus of people clamoring for change. And if we are brave enough, change will come.”

Q: “Um, a quick follow-up on another topic… You heard Governor Richardson advocate earlier for increased mileage standards for the automobile industry. What are your thoughts on the federal government’s responsibility to fight global warming?”

Obama: “That is a great question. … When I was elected as a Senator in 2004, it was on the message of change. And as I campaign all around the country today, it is on the message of change. People want change in this country. And they are looking for that leader who will bring change.”

Q: “Yes, thank you. Okay, this next question is for Senator Clinton…”

That is not good enough. For Obama to be sold to democrats, and not just independents, the junior senator from Illinois will need to pick up his slack regarding policy, especially in the debates. It may not be wise to overplay one’s hand on policy in the primaries, because it may hauntingly return come the general election, but one must also get the base excited about what the candidate’s policy positions are, especially on bread-and-butter democratic ones, the three Es… education, the environment and the economy.

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