Who Won the Debate?

C-SPAN/YouTube
I've watched last night's final presidential debate with interest. After all, the next four- possibly eight- years will pretty much put this country in the balance. For one thing, this economy has gone to shit, and to be honest, I share the feeling of many Americans that we're headed for a recession, if not a second Great Depression. Gas prices are high, families are struggling to make ends meet. And then, there's the War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. It doesn't make for a pretty picture, does it?

So, I took some notes, caught the comments of both candidates, Barack H. Obama, Jr., the Democratic candidate, and John S. McCain III, the republican.

One of the centerpieces of the debate was, of course, Obama's alleged ties to William Ayers, who was the leader of the Weather Underground Organization, a radical left-wing group who protested the war in Vietnam. They detonated bombs in the New York City Police Headquarters, the Pentagon and US Capitol in the early 1970s . Ayers was never charged with a crime. Obama says that there were never, and currently are not any times to Bill Ayers.

On the ACORN (Action of community Organizations for Reform Now) debacle, Obama says that the people who placed fictitious names- including one of some rodent invented by Walt Disney - were just lazy. Furthermore, Obama distanced himself from the ACORN mess. On energy policies, both candidates touted that we need to reduce- or even end- our dependence on foreign oil, and increase domestic production. McCain wants offshore drilling now; Obama wants it as an option.

On free trade, McCain chided Obama for rejecting the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, but Obama says that his reasons for rejecting CAFTA was because labor leaders in the Latin American country were targeted for assassination. He did approve the Peruvian Free Trade Agreement.

On health care, McCain alleges that Obama wants to fine people who don't want the government health care plan, but Obama says that he won't penalize people who don't want the option. Obama alleges that McCain wants to give insurers free rein against rules regulating them.

On abortion, McCain wants to overturn Roe V. Wade, and place the power back in the hands of states. Obama supports ban on late term abortions, with exceptions to the life of the mother. McCain states that he won't choose US Supreme Court justice candidates solely on abortion views.

But one name was mentioned 26 times- 'Joe Plumber'.

Joe Wurzelbacher is a plumber who lives in Holland, Ohio, a suburb of Toledo. Wurzelbacher confronted Obama about the latter's tax cut plan, stating that he, Wurzelbacher, planned to make over $250,000 and buy the business.

NYPost.com/YouTube/uwantbreadbai

Obama's tax credit would benefit Wurzelbacher, provided that he stays under $250,000.
But, is this a good idea? After all, I don't want to be taxed to death when I win $1,000,000 or more in the Oregon Lottery Megabucks jackpot. That's one of those things I disagree with Obama with. But since I make under $250,000, I'm safe for the time being. I like that he wants to give 95 percent of Americans a tax break, but I don't think millionaires and billionaires who worked hard for their success should be penalized either. That's just my opinion.

Having said this, I think that Obama did win the debate, and I say this on the basis that he didn't dodge the harder questions- the ACORN and Bill Ayers issues, and even the tax and health questions- McCain threw at him. So, it is up to him, over the remaining 19 days to continue to convince Americans that he's the right man for the job. At this point, this election is his to lose.

Don't screw it up, Barack.

(C)2008, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.