1. I’m Telling! You Hurt My FeelingsIf McCain would have only stuck to his talking points on the economy, then he may have come out on top. But 30 minutes in, the conversation switched to Bill Ayers and negative campaigning, and suddenly the Straight Talk Express found itself careening violently off a cliff. McCain spent far too much time haggling over issues that the American people could care less about. And then to add the cherry on top, he spent another five minutes demanding an apology for comments from Congressman John Lewis [The Georgia representative denounced McCain’s and Sarah Palin’s disturbingly negative campaign tone]. Apparently John and Barack hurt his feelings. Poor baby.
2. The Joker GrinIf the current polling data holds true, then Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States. After watching the reaction shots of McCain throughout the evening, I can only hope that a blowout loss on election night will permanently erase any desire on his part to smile. I found his smile to be forced, slightly pained, and increasingly annoying as the night wore on. CNN flash polling directly after the debate seemed to suggest the same.
3. The Borderline AsthmaticThe only thing more annoying than McCain’s maniacal grin was the constant sighs picked up by his microphone as Obama spoke. Reminiscent of the now infamous Al Gore sighs of the 2000 presidential debates, McCain would have benefited from a tug on a Primatene Mist asthma pump to avoid the distracting sighs, grunts, and wheezes he continually offered.
4. Get off My Lawn Young ManObama’s main focus was to avoid getting rattled and/or losing his temper. By contrast, McCain’s focus was to not only attack Obama incessantly, but to also look presidential while doing so. Obama made it through relatively unscathed …McCain, not so much. His snarls and eye rolls conjured up thoughts of Mr. Wilson’s irritation with Dennis the Menace. He wanted to shed the grumpy old man image, but only lent more credence to such a comparison.
5. Somebody Call the PlumberIn an idea clearly aimed at connecting with the “everyman,” McCain sought to personalize his assault on Obama by referencing a conversation the Illinois senator had on the trail with Joe six-pack’s older brother Joe the plumber. It resonated the first time that Joe was mentioned. By the end of the night though, McCain had mentioned Joe an astonishing 26 times. What began as a powerful talking point, frittered away into simple search-engine fodder. Opportunity wasted Johnny boy.
