First debate marked by no major blunders

First, do no harm. John McCain and Barack Obama passed the test. Neither committed a blunder of a scale that makes memorable the extravaganzas known as presidential debates.

The most recent session occurred amid confusion, fear and expectation.

Until early Friday afternoon, it was not certain McCain would appear.

Although Congress had not completed an economic rescue plan, McCain arrived at Ole Miss in time to enter the set looking vigorous and confident. Voters will decide whether the “suspension” of his campaign was an act of statesmanship or a stunt.

McCain delivered the better opening statement, but the 90-minute exchange ended in a political draw.

McCain’s supporters named him the victor. Obama’s supporters went with their star.

Those who were undecided when they turned on their sets probably were undecided when they turned them off.

The lesser known of the candidates generally receives a modest boost from debates that lack a clear winner.

That appears to be the case with Obama, although the weekend polls suggest the debate did not have a decisive impact on the overall electorate — which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Prudence is a virtue not only in candidates but also in voters.

The financial turmoil of the recent millennium pretty much has tossed materialist ideologies into history’s trash bins.

Man is not merely an economic animal, as market purists, as well as Marxists, seem to think. The coming weeks of presidential politicking could lend rediscovered nuances in the meaning of election.

Obama aggressively tied McCain to President George Bush. While McCain might be the most un-Bushian of Republicans, the tactic is valid and might work.

To distance himself from a spectacularly unpopular administration, McCain will have to reassert many of the qualities that make the so-called base uneasy.

During the debate, he did a good job of displaying his maverick credentials. If the election becomes a referendum on Bush, however, Obama will win.

McCain established his pre-eminence in foreign policy and national security. He described the world as it is, without letting realism undermine his ideals, or the ideals of the nation. Obama projected comfort with the issues, too.

The debate was scheduled to focus on security and international affairs.

The headlines ensured that questions about the economy would arise. Both candidates inspired more confidence than the incumbent.
And that may be the most enduring lesson from the 2008 campaign’s opening round.

— Media General News Service