I found myself having some interesting reactions to the first presidential debate b/w Barack Obama and John McCain...
Disclaimer: I am a clear supporter of Obama but I am also an impartial thinker. I tried to see the debate through non-attachment and tried to develop some contempt for Obama so as to watch the debate from other perspective.
Also, this is about visceral feelings not the substance.
If you think about substance, both played to their bases.
I had to watch the debate live on an old 21" TV (please don't ask why?)...and my first initial reaction to the debate was that Obama was completely on defensive for most of the time including with some sections of economic policy(like earmarks etc)...
I also watched it on the local channel(CBS) because my guess was most of the people may also watch this on network television.
I came away slightly disappointed with the performance of Obama and how he probably will drop in polls next day and how McCain team would claim victory.
McCain had a lot many "soundbites" in his arguments for my comfort. He did have some tone differences because of his age...he sounded very uncomfortable...his voice was shaky some times...he definitely did sound condescending. I think he tried his best to attach Obama with inexperience and naivete. Which if I have some contempt for Obama - was very well stuck.
Sounding/Appearing condescending is very important if you want to stick the inexperience and naivete to your opponent. This condescending act is no accident...but was very deliberate.
But what I found on the internet ( I didn't watch pundit spin purposefully) was very different this morning. No body gave McCain clear win except most partisan commentators. No body gave Obama a win except again by most partisan commentators.
So I wanted to know why I had that feeling last night. So I watched the debate again on 29" flat screen this time(this is the TV I have).And it became very clear now.
On this high def clarity, Obama looked much more presidential and more confident than last night. His arguments looked strong supported by the visuals that looked like he is aggressive and willing to counteract McCain on every issue. Probably I think clarity of sound also helped a bit to carry the undertone. He counter punched some times and mocked some times all while looking serious.He did seem graceful some times..perhaps too graceful by acknowledging that John McCain was "right" or "absolutely right". It may appear much better if he removed those words from his vocab in the next debates.
Now, the final thought is...if my feelings are not batshit crazy, how many people that matter watched the debate on a 21" TV and on 29" TV. Who the heck knows? It should be one of those crazy surveys that can tell how many people still have those TVs. Or is it because, I was subconsciously influenced by the tie mandate on the internet. Or may be I am just batshit crazy.
Thats the word.
UPDATE: Un-biased Visceral Reaction of the debate. I agree...
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/...