Ode to Jack London

[H2O Man]

There are two things that we can look for in John McCain’s performance tonight in the first presidential debate.

{1} Speaking Tactic

When John McCain speaks, his most common tactic, if he stays on track, will be to stress the theme of "in service to our country." This includes both his military service, and his service in Washington, DC. (If you are among the DUers playing a "drinking game," and pick the "in service to our country" line, please do not drive after the debate.)

{2} Non-Speaking Tactic

From the republican primary debates, we know that the McCain camp has studied the film of the 1960 Kennedy vs Nixon contest. While Nixon spoke, Kennedy would look into the camera and smile. McCain showed the restraint necessary to keep from cracking up while Willard Mitt Romney had has melt-downs. Instead, he looked into the nearest camera, and smiled. He will attempt to use that same smile tonight.

To paraphrase Jack London’s infamous rant in the New York Herald: Barack, it’s up to you. Now that Senator McCain has brought his campaign out of hibernation, we are counting on you to remove that smile from his face.

[livetohike]

1. Obama's smile beats McCain's any day

:-). I think Obama is going to have a good debate tonight. Maybe he will start out with acknowledging McCain's service to the country and then comes the all important "but"...

[H2O Man]

3. I am under

the impression that Barack Obama is very ready for this debate tonight. I think that he has a couple points that he plans to make -- forcefully. But I'm also confident that you are correct, and that we will see Obama's smile.

[Constance Craving]

2. Thanks!

I was already contemplating the drinking game . . . I had "my friends" listed as a go.:toast:

also included were:
9-11
terrorists
my time in a POW camp (or the like)
26 years
experience

and now I have
"in service to our country"

Awesome!

[H2O Man]

4. John McCain may

come out on stage humming Barry Sadler's 1966 hit. But he is in trouble tonight.

Enjoy the debate!

[PerfectSage]

5. {3} Speaking Tactic - lying then telling more lies to cover up his lies.

[H2O Man]

6. Right.

Obama's advantage is that he only has to stick with the truth. McCain has taken so many positions that he has acres of lies to cover.

[David Zephyr]

7. Jack London!

Dude, now you are talking.

[H2O Man]

8. Hi, David!

Enjoy the debate tonight.

I may be tempted to have a glass of beer, and then I'll really be talking tonight on DU.

[H2O Man]

9. Less than two hours ......

I'm looking forward to this opening round of the debates.