Obama, McCain and "Joe" (the plumber)

Having spent a day combing through the post debate spin and enjoying Joe's 15min of fame (okay not really) I just have the following observations:



1. McCain does not like (or respect) Obama...he simply tolerates him.

- he is so convinced that the presidency is something he is "owed" that the fact some young "whippersnapper" is possibly in danger of stealing the prize he deemed to belong to him has thrown him into an emotionally unstable angry tizzy. All of his behavior towards Obama while at times cordial on the surface was dripping with disdain...he allowed himself to be beaten (in this debate...which he definitely started out stronger in) by his own anger and sense of entitlement.



2. Obama has mastered "the art of cool"

- while I think Obama's general temperament is fairly even...he took the ability to "never let them see you sweat" to new heights. the fact that he didn't treat McCain to an open-handed slap in the mouth for some of the foolishness he said about him and his associations shows a level of self-control and restraint that is enviable (I know I don't have it....somebody would have gotten the 47th st Beat down if it was me). While there are some who want Obama to "go off" to prove he is "passionate" enough to be president...I think they are nuts. I prefer my leaders to be cool and able to lead without becoming overly emotional. If nothing else this grace under pressure made Obama look extremely "presidential"



3. Negative Attack Ads do not a campaign make

- Is it just me or did McCain spend the last hour of the "debate" (using that term loosely) basically running a medley of his greatest attack ads hits? Ayers, ACORN, Abortion, "tax and spend", and the worse of all sins..."liberal". What I heard was a lot of McCain rehashing his past week's attack ads and very little in terms of substance or any new ideas. And the idea that he even brought up John Lewis and wanted Obama to repudiate his remarks (the free willed, unsolicited, opinions of a man with absolutely no connection to Obama's campaign) was to me preposterous. First of all...I was reminded why I don't like the Republican party as a whole. They are a party of Bullies...they can dish it out but they truly cannot take it. when they get called on their BS (which for once I am glad the Democrat is doing that) they turn into a whiny little girl, and play the victim role. And then I couldn't believe that with all the REAL problems we are facing...the economy collapsing, oil dependence, the WAR that McCain chose to take the low road. I used to respect McCain even when I didn't agree with him because he WAS an honorable man and had good opinions on a variety of topics but now he is simply the quintessential "grumpy old man"



4. "Joe the Plumber" is exactly what is wrong with this country in general and the GOP specifically.
we have "Joe the Plumber"...who asked a what was supposedly a legitimate question of Barack Obama while he was out campaigning...he said he was preparing to purchase a business that made $250-270K and he didn't like the taxes under Obama's plan (I'm paraphrasing...but really who hasn't heard this story)...he feigned indignation...Obama was respectful and at least told him even if he didn't end up with his vote he still wanted to work for him. Enter John McCain who takes up "Joe" as his cause celeb...tossing his name out at the debate more than the economy, the middle class, and Osama Bin Laden combined. McCain used Joe as a cheap ploy to illustrate everything that was wrong with Obama's tax plan and campaign of course the joke ended up being on him. Turns out "Joe" isn't actually making anywhere near $250K....at Joe's current income and status he would actually get a tax break from the Obama plan...Joe apparently doesn't like paying taxes now (as he owes over a grand in back taxes to the state of Ohio)...Joe has a very limited understanding of the way government works and the average person's role in it (judging by his answer's in the Diane Sawyer interview)...and of course Joe isn't actually a legal licensed plumber. This grasping at the sensational superficial story without doing any research or having any knowledge is exactly what is wrong with the current GOP and with McCain's campaign and to me why he is imploding currently.

So those are my thoughts at the moment...I think things look better for Obama...but he and his supports must keep fighting the good fight...never underestimate the power of pissed off white people struggling against the last remaining vestiges of assumed white superiority. 20 days!!!