Keller @ Large

Keller: No Clear Winner; What Do You Think?

BOSTON (WBZ) ― How did it go?

Pretty well, I'd say, for both campaigns. Each candidate was able to emphasize his strengths, and highlight what they see as their opponent's weaknesses.

 Take part in the debate discussion.

After a shaky opening, I thought McCain dominated the early portion of the debate, expressing anger and passion over government waste and keeping Obama on the defensive by the sheer weight of his record on that subject.

Obama never rebutted McCain's point that Obama only stopped gorging on earmarks for Illinois after his run for president began.

But then the topic turned to the war in Iraq, and here, Obama went on the attack quite effectively.

He pointed out that McCain just wants to talk about the surge, not the questionable decision to invade in the first place. Obama also worked in multiple references to the cost of the war, tying it in with our current fiscal problems.

I scored most of the second half hour in Obama's favor.

The rest struck me as pretty much of a draw. I think even the most casual observer gets McCain's main indictment of Obama – that he just doesn't get it – and Obama's indictment of McCain – that he's just more Bush.

But I didn't see a clear winner or loser coming out of this. There were no blunders, no gaffes and no real knockout blows of any kind.

Obama dispelled any doubts that he belonged on the stage, although he continues to come across a bit too dry and professorial.

Also, his advisors I'm sure will beg him to stop saying "John is right about that" quite so frequently.

McCain's energy ought to quiet the talk about him being too old, but he was not as smooth verbally as Obama and garbled his lines a few times.

Both men proved their worth, and made their case well. These next two debates will be well worth watching.

Your turn. Go to my blog and have at it.

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