Made for TV

Last night was the third and final presidential debate. This was a classic replay of Nixon-Kennedy, the first televised debates. Nixon was, arguably, the more knowledgable candidate, the more experienced politician. But Jack didn't sweat on TV. He smiled more. He looked at the camera more often. He came off as more collected, more "presidential." And the rest is history.

McCain was Nixon: more agitated, less personable, less photogenic than is opponent. Obama was Kennedy: more calm, less irritable, more measured in his voice patterns.

I think it strange that McCain often complains about Obama's unwillingness to do more debates and town hall meetings. John is an old man in an age of tv marketing that focuses on being polished and delivering lines with a smile. Even when McCain had the upper hand in terms explaining his arguments (like on the Supreme Court, and vouchers) it was the way in which he spoke and gestured that people will likely remember.

McCain came off as the old curmudgeon when he needed to appear as the passionate, elder statesman. He needed to chide Obama's policies without seeming condescending. He broke the first rule of debates which is to "do no harm." By (sometimes boringly) keeping his cool and sticking to his message, Barack did no harm and, thus, won the debate.

I am very surprised at how far behind McCain is right now.