I'm looking forward to watching the McCain-Obama debate. Since I've been busy the past couple of days, I wasn't able to catch it on TV. I read in the papers that although the organizers refrained from proclaiming the winner for that round, various polls showed that a number of viewers considered Obama as having presented the most valid arguments. On the topic of economy, Obama was said to have argued clear and convincing points. McCain, on the other hand, was seen to have a firmer grasp on the topic of Foreign policy. Anyway, I'll write more about the debate after I've watched it online.
The political arena, is at best, a noisy market place. To be heard, it is sometimes necessary to adopt sleazy tabloid tactics. McCain's camp has clearly shown that it is an expert in that field. McCain's ad hominem attacks have lately been finding their mark. Obama's earlier pronouncement that he will concentrate on real issues has given way to the typical GOP-Democrat finger-pointing. Obama, with all his honorable intentions of engaging in a clean fight, can't just ignore the half-truths being said about him. So, interestingly enough, the presidential campaign trail has started exhibiting shades of sensationalist politics.
From a fence-sitter's perspective, Obama's espousal of change appears to be gaining an edge over McCain's offer of strong and tested leadership. McCain has largely focused on his opponent's lack of political experience and depicts Obama as an all-talk-no-substance self-proclaimed messiah. McCain, being the way he is, does not need Obama to paint his picture. Known for calling out corruption and inefficiency in the Bush administration, McCain is seen as tough-talking and reactionary. But Obama does try his best to equate McCain's leadership as a clone of the Bush administration, even as McCain has tried to distance himself from Bush.
With the recent spate of events from the financial mess in Wall Street to the volatile international political climate, the candidates are under intense spotlight. So far, from what I've gathered after watching a number of press releases and reading a couple of news articles about the candidates, Obama's main strategy of "Change we can believe in" seems to be working. He initially capitalized on the flawed economic strategy employed by the current administration, an administration espousing republican values; recently, however, perhaps after getting a clearer picture of the dire state of the market, Obama relented, saying that he is willing to extend any help to the Bush administration's efforts to address the financial crisis. Painted as one of the guilty parties, McCain has tried to show that for once, he is rising above the blame-shifting and is willing to heed the calls for bipartisanship in order to solve the financial crisis. So bipartisanship it is, both candidates agree.
Unusual as it is for both candidates to be invited by Bush to take part in negotiating the bailout plan of the government, it is important to understand that continuity in government is essential. The November presidential election is fast approaching and the new administration, with either McCain or Obama at its helm, will have a pretty fine mess in their hands.
Anyway, more on this later. I have to get some sleep.
The political arena, is at best, a noisy market place. To be heard, it is sometimes necessary to adopt sleazy tabloid tactics. McCain's camp has clearly shown that it is an expert in that field. McCain's ad hominem attacks have lately been finding their mark. Obama's earlier pronouncement that he will concentrate on real issues has given way to the typical GOP-Democrat finger-pointing. Obama, with all his honorable intentions of engaging in a clean fight, can't just ignore the half-truths being said about him. So, interestingly enough, the presidential campaign trail has started exhibiting shades of sensationalist politics.
From a fence-sitter's perspective, Obama's espousal of change appears to be gaining an edge over McCain's offer of strong and tested leadership. McCain has largely focused on his opponent's lack of political experience and depicts Obama as an all-talk-no-substance self-proclaimed messiah. McCain, being the way he is, does not need Obama to paint his picture. Known for calling out corruption and inefficiency in the Bush administration, McCain is seen as tough-talking and reactionary. But Obama does try his best to equate McCain's leadership as a clone of the Bush administration, even as McCain has tried to distance himself from Bush.
With the recent spate of events from the financial mess in Wall Street to the volatile international political climate, the candidates are under intense spotlight. So far, from what I've gathered after watching a number of press releases and reading a couple of news articles about the candidates, Obama's main strategy of "Change we can believe in" seems to be working. He initially capitalized on the flawed economic strategy employed by the current administration, an administration espousing republican values; recently, however, perhaps after getting a clearer picture of the dire state of the market, Obama relented, saying that he is willing to extend any help to the Bush administration's efforts to address the financial crisis. Painted as one of the guilty parties, McCain has tried to show that for once, he is rising above the blame-shifting and is willing to heed the calls for bipartisanship in order to solve the financial crisis. So bipartisanship it is, both candidates agree.
Unusual as it is for both candidates to be invited by Bush to take part in negotiating the bailout plan of the government, it is important to understand that continuity in government is essential. The November presidential election is fast approaching and the new administration, with either McCain or Obama at its helm, will have a pretty fine mess in their hands.