Obama - McCain 2: The BAG's Pics Of The Night

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In the early phase of the debate, there wasn't a drop of humor in that room. It was as if the audience was channeling the full alienation and anger of the American people over the economic crisis and the Wall Street bailout. As McCain and Obama offered generalities and mostly talked past the audience, these people weren't even close to buying it.

Watching her throughout, the woman lower left seemed like no Obama fan (in contrast to the woman in blue behind her). But Obama knocked it out of the park with the health care answer, interweaving common sense, specifics and concern.  The expressions are interesting, the audience plugging in almost in spite of itself, half-locked in its initial skepticism.

Well, McCain had no trouble making eye contact with Obama this time -- when he was going for the jugular.

Although McCain was on better behavior tonight, there's just no hiding bad character. That would include: laughing behind the other guy's back and, of course, that really weird reference to "that one."

Yeah, I'm a major Michelle fan ... and I've been missing her big time since the DNC. I thought it was classy for BHO to mention her in his last answer. Also, I like the effect here taken off my older TV.

Sometimes you can actually see a person grow in the course of a few minutes.  Having studied Obama quite closely over the past year-and-a-half, that's what I witnessed in this foreign policy exchange.

After Obama pressed the option of pursuing al Qaeda in Pakistan (top left), McCain attacked him for being inexperienced and advocating an invasion.  Rather than moving on, however, Obama challenged the debate format, insisting on a follow-up to McCain's follow-up.  After clarifying that he never called for the invasion of Pakistan, Obama turned his focus on McCain as the rash and intemperate one, citing "bomb, bomb Iran" and McCain's call for the destruction of North Korea.  The images reflect Obama's profound confidence, self-possession and poise in holding the floor while taking it to McCain.

You can catch the sequence in part three of CNN's debate video from the 9:28 through about the 16:00 mark.

I really love this shot, but it bears explanation.  As Brokaw was wrapping up the debate with closing comments, McCain assumed they were finished and stepped in front of the teleprompter so Brokaw couldn't see his lines. In calling Mac out on it, McCain bolted suddenly to the right.  For me, at least, the moment captured Mac's impulsivity and, in a literal and spatial way, some of his boundary issues. The blur itself (again, captured off my old TV) is a digital portrait of how hyper and jittery the man is -- and how he can never downshift.

Maybe John and Cindy thought the TV cameras were cutting away? Because, as far as I could tell, the Obamas hung around for quite a while chatting with the audience, while the McCains seemed to hightail it out of there.

Comments

[robin lee]

my friends, it wasn't even close. The contempt that McCain has for "that one" has sealed his fate. America's problems are too great to hand over to this very little man, and even low information voters realize it.

[Scott]

We started having a drinking game for everytime we saw "Oliver" (the second questioner) doze off. I got a pretty good buzz.

[g]

It looked to me that when the black woman asked the question about the environment (I think her name was Ingrid) that McCain turned his back on her while she was speaking. Am I right? Or not?

[db]

McCain came off as cranky. His big moment with the Navy Chief was offset when the same guy ended up nodding in agreement with Obama's own reply.

I too have become enamored with Michelle, and the brief shot of her (smiling, and then quickly getting Serious again) was nice, given there was no corresponding shot of Cindy. I suspect Michelle is the holder of the flame, keeping Barack focused on his goal and centered in his being. She's a radical, just like any great U.S. politician, but there is also an admirable discipline. That's definitely a Good Thing.

[mcc]

After Obama pressed the option of pursuing al Qaeda in Pakistan (top left), McCain attacked him for being inexperienced and advocating an invasion. Rather than moving on, however, Obama challenged the debate format, insisting on a follow-up to McCain's follow-up. After clarifying that he never called for the invasion of Pakistan, Obama turned his focus on McCain as the rash and intemperate one, citing "bomb, bomb Iran" and McCain's call for the destruction of North Korea. The images reflect Obama's profound confidence, self-possession and poise in holding the floor while taking it to McCain.

I missed this debate, but didn't an exchange identical to that one occur in the first debate?

[fdeblauwe]

As is my custom by now, I've analyzed the words used by the speakers in the latest US presidential debate. I provide a bubble graph visualizing length of words, sentences and speech. I also investigated a gut feeling that there was something odd about the distribution of thanks between the different players (bar chart). Finally, improved "word couds" for every speaker (this time including all meaningful words). See and read about it at my Word Face-Off blog.

[deborah in australia]

i am looking forward to catching up with this debate tonight.

this post is not about sarah palin, and i'm not sure if you have noted the american flag brooch she wears. here is a good look: http://media.hoover.org/images/sarah_palin.jpg

notice how the curve part makes it look like an S and the straight pole and flag makes it look like a P. perhaps i'm reading too much into it, but it's the first thing i noticed and made a connection with. is this a normal design? either way, makes for interesting imagery.

[Victoria]

Great work! - I always thought this format - when shared - was likely to backfire on McCain. There was just no way the body language comparison was going to help McCain. And then to watch his attempts at jokes fall so flat in a room that wasn't full of pumped-up already-fans... But I was truly stunned to note the McCain error in not doing what the Obama's did: meet and greet every single person in that room. Talk about blowing it. I'm betting that kept some of McCain's people up all night last night.

[garyb50]

Barack & Michelle stayed for over 25 minutes after & I watched every wonderful, mesmerizing minute of it. To me, that 25 minutes says more about why Obama will be 'That One' than the entire preceding hour and a half.

[demit]

garyb50, that was my favorite part too. Each of them not only shook almost everyone's hand, they posed for pictures, gave autographs when asked, and conversed with people, sometimes at length. It was that last that kept me glued to the screen.

The crowd that was so somber during the debate changed magically after. Smiles all around. Obama and Michelle were so at ease, and seemed to enjoy what they were doing. It was an uplifting scene. The announcer on CSpan had to point out that they weren't exactly choosing to focus entirely on the Obamas—the McCains had left the arena long before. I don't know if they had a logical reason for that, but I'll bet the crowd will long remember which presidential candidate and his wife stuck around to mingle with them, and which ones didn't.

[Johanna]

Michelle is incredibly stylish. But Obama hitting it out of the park on healthcare? Come on. "people are hurtin''...." "prioritize.." and such slogans in no way reveal what he actually proposes to do, or how to finance it. Even if he could explain it, there's no way anyone other than the most sophisticated of economists could assess its practicability. It now exists solely in the realm of slogans.

[bluinky]

your/my/our::privilege/right/responsibility
(excludedmiddles)~toll'n'pawnus

[S2]

One thing noticed in my sporadic watching of the debate (I mostly listened to the TeeVee, looking at it occasionally) was the fidgety movement of the audience's feet. While everyone was sitting still politely, perhaps their internal restlessness is the true mirror of contemporary American life.

[donna]

You can learn more on the health care plan here:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/

Or compare the plans here:
http://decision.healthcare.com/obama-mccain/

I don't think either candidate enjoyed the format, and Brokaw was awful. The after show indeed showed how warm the Obamas are. But the animosity of McCain to Obama really came through in the debate, and was uncomfortable. John has showed his true colors lately, and it's not pretty.

[Geoff]

Regarding the audience's lack of response during the debate, one of the post debate talking heads, I forget which one, mentioned that the audience had been asked not only to avoid any applause, but also to keep their facial expressions as neutral as possible.

[Angellight]

In last night's debate and the current economic crisis, along with the viscous attacks by McCain and Palin, Barack is proving himself to be steady and steadfast in a storm. Barack showcased his ease and understanding of the complex problems and issues facing the American people today and his dedication to the middle class and to average Americans. Senator Obama stressed the need to develop "engery independence, address health care costs, lower taxes for the middle class and more emphasis on education and research to grow and stimulate job creation). Barack is someone who is emotionally and mentally connected to Americans of all colors, classes and creed and will work on the fairness and distibution of sharing, not just one segment -- the middle class -- carrying the load. Because he is committed to making a difference, he came across as serious and steadfast about fixing our problems and bringing America up to 21st Century standards and getting rid of a lot of programs that just do not work anymore. He knows and teaches that to be prosperous, America must grow from the bottom up, just as Nature grows from the bottom up. He also showed his mindset toward dealing with other countries. His willingness to listen and talk to be able to work problems out without having to go to war and shed unnecessary blood. Barack knows that we live in a global world and we are all in this together, and so we must work together on a world scale to address our global and world problems. Barack is one who will use common sense approaches to tackle complex problems. He has an ease and an assurety that he can do this, and it will be done.

However and may be just as signigicant, Barack addressed the ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, when he said he did not undestand why we attacked a country who did not attack us on 911!

On the other hand, McCain Camp knows they will lose the election if they talk about the economy, they have no solutions for the middle class, because their Economics are for the Rich, the well-off and the well connected! It is sad to see that, McCain "has been running a seamy campaign originally designed by the bad seed of conservative politics, Lee Atwater. Atwater relished teaching rich, white Republicans to feign a connection to the common man so they could get in office and economically undermine the common man. In the 1988 campaign, the Machiavellian ran to help George Bush Sr. defeat Michael Dukakis with this unholy quintet of charges:" (Maureen Dowd)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/opinion/08dowd.html?_r=1

By the way, John McCain's Ties to Ayers!

http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/10/is_john_mccain_supported_by_te.html

[MonsieurGonzo]

Geoff : “Regarding the audience's lack of response during the debate, one of the post debate talking heads, I forget which one, mentioned that the audience had been asked not only to avoid any applause, but also to keep their facial expressions as neutral as possible.”

. . . !

Stills: If you smile at me, I will understand.
'Cause that is something everybody everywhere does
in the same language.
Crosby: I can see by your coat, my friend,
you're from ‘the other side’,
There's just one thing I got to know,
Can you tell me please, who won?

Stills: Say, can I have some of your purple berries?
Crosby: Yes, I've been eating them ~ for six or seven weeks now,
haven't got sick once.
Stills: Probably keep us both alive.

Wooden ships on the water, very free and easy,
Easy, you know the way it's supposed to be;
Silver people on the shoreline, let us be,
Talkin' 'bout very free and easy...

Horror grips us as we watch you die,
All we can do is echo your anguished cries,
Stare, as all human feelings die,
We are leaving - you don't need us.

[harrier]

Another reason for the exceedingly passive reception of both candidates responses may have been the canned replays which the audience, and we, have heard dozens of times. I know both sides were cautious, but it would be fun to hear something new, even if it was scripted. The content was uniformly disappointing.

Still, I think Obama took it, not on substance, but on body language. Throughout, McCain's was stiff (he may have no option there) and hostile; Obama appeared relaxed, warm to the audience. In a word: ready.

By the way, did anyone else find McCain's reply to Oliver Clark's question incredibly patronizing?:

"But you know, one of the real catalysts, really the match that lit this fire was Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. I'll bet you, you may never even have heard of them before this crisis." (emphasis mine).

And again, my opinion doesn't matter, but an independent voter's does.

[Marie]

I listened to the debate on the radio while reading live-blogged coverage on the internet. (I also listened to NPR's post-debate discussion with call-in voters.) I really appreciate hearing about the nonverbal aspects here and elsewhere.

The contrast in physical/vocal styles really brings home that we communicate with each other on a variety of levels, not only purely verbally or intellectually. Our impressions may vary depending on which/how many levels we are taking in at once. Sometimes it seems that we are swayed by the less-obvious communication. I'm not saying that is a bad thing. Perhaps we subconsciously trust body language more than the spoken word, and I'm seeing that in people's reactions and interpretations (here and elsewhere). Interesting.

[Wordsmith]

Forgive me for flying past without reading the comments.

This is it, Michael. I watched that woman for the longest time - mainly because her lips were pursed like she was bored or pissed. Ya should've seen her face when Obama said he thought health care should be a right. However, immediately and I mean IMMEDIATELY when Obama started in about his mother dying at the age of 53, her jaw almost fell. Her face relaxed and she was listening. She did try hard to get it back but that story is compelling.

As for the milling around after the debate, what the ....??? with the McCains. Did he have to go to the bathroom? It started out fairly stiff and then loosened right up once there appeared to be no reason to leave right AWAY. It was great watching the Obamas working the room.

As for Michelle, I'm a major fan. I've not been a Barack fan and still haven't warmed up completely but that Michelle. I saw her long, long ago on C-SPAN during two shows on the presidential candidates spouses and listening to her speak regarding her experiences, background, and educational opportunities, and just how sincerely gracious she was to Fred's wife.

As for McCain - he's worse than my 87 year-old father who has dementia. Crotchy, nasty, spiteful - and worst of all - entitled.

[Wordsmith]

And another thing. The one thing I really do like about the Obamas is their obvious affection and respect for each other.

[Wordsmith]

Since I'm controlling the board! (manical laughter)

Barack & Michelle stayed for over 25 minutes after & I watched every wonderful, mesmerizing minute of it. To me, that 25 minutes says more about why Obama will be 'That One' than the entire preceding hour and a half.

Gary and demit:

I didn't realize it was that long. I just kept watching. I agree - it was my favorite part because of the warmth that was obvious after the stiltedness left those in the audience.

[Books Alive]

The 25 minute meet and greet that the Obamas did evolved from speaking to the individuals seated in each one of the sections for ther first 15-20 minutes. Then as more and more of the participants saw that they could pose with Obama for a photo, they came out of the sections onto the floor. I noticed Obama calling for Reggie, who soon appeared. Obama had become as engulfed as much as while campaigning.

I didn't bother watching a cable version once I turned to C-Span and saw that they were running the question on the bottom of the screen. I was so thrilled to watch Barack's and Michelle's interaction that I didn't even sneak a peek at what the talking heads were up to until the Obamas left the venue, so I don't know how much of this afterglow CNN or MSNBC showed. Judging by the lack of commentary, not much of it!

[MonsieurGonzo]

ref : “I didn't even sneak a peek at what the talking heads were up to. . .”

Then, you saw the show, but you missed the debate.

What the candidates do is perform in a theater; it's a show. This is when they tell us what they think that we are thinking.

"the debate" is that M2M = Media -to- Media conversation that Americans call The News. This is when they (who represent us) tell others what we, our Selves think they, the Other should think.

at present, they (Messrs. McCain & Obama) act like candidates; ie., as if they need you.

if/when elected, they will act like leaders; ie., as if you need them.

The Media is The Government, thus. The Talking Heads are our Representatives.

e.g., your representative is Keith Olberman; her representative is Rachel Maddow; his representative is Rush Limbaugh; etc.

a vote for a candidate, or his/her Party, or an ideology, etc. ~ changes the balance -of- power between media channels, apparent. We have evolved from "a multi-Party system" to "a multi-Media system".

you can't CHANGE "the government", really. This is an illusion. You can, however, change the CHANNEL (fwiw).

[harrier]

Quoting the estimable M. Gonzo "you can't CHANGE "the government", really. This is an illusion. You can, however, change the CHANNEL (fwiw)."

Whatever. I'm content if only it gives Stevens and Ginsburg a shot at retiring.

[lytom]

What about the real issue, that there may not even be election. Is there any real program put in front of the electorate? The time is now and not after the November elections.
Lot of promises, high words and certainties are heard, but nothing to hold on to.
The public seems to be satisfied with 2 minute talks, which are empty.
Some may be losing job tomorrow, some their savings, some their houses, who knows, but they will not hear anything concrete from the two candidates.