Hard Hitting Debate

Last nights debate was more heated and confrontational than the previous two debates. Both candidates resorted to personal attacks. McCain came out accusing Obama of having close ties with William Ayers and ACORN, which is under a voter fraud investigation. Obama responded by understating his relationship with Ayers and ACORN. However, McCain insisted that Obama was not disclosing the full extent of his ties to them. McCain also criticized Obama for going back on his pledge to take public funding and accept spending limits in the general election. Both accused each other of resorting to negative tactics during the campaign and allowing negative statements to be made by supporters unchallenged. Both candidates claimed to not tolerate when supporters make negative statements.

I was surprised that McCain confronted Obama directly about the accusations in McCain’s campaign ads. I think he was trying to put Obama on the defensive and catch him off guard. I don’t think that tactic worked. However, I think McCain was effective at portraying Obama as an untrustworthy person. McCain seemed more at ease during this debate. I think it was because of the close proximity between Obama and McCain. The two candidates had more of a conversation because they were so close together. McCain could not help but talk directly at Obama.