The Get Off My Lawn Variety Hour, Part 6:  Flatline Edition

by georgia10 [courtesy of Daily Kos]

If you're watching the debate on CNN, you will notice that the panel of voters they gave rapid-response dials to is responding to McCain's answers with a resounding "meh." The lines really spiked though when Obama spoke about mortage relief for homeowners.

McCain has switched from Blinky to Walky, as he meanders a bit too much across the stage. That does not come off well on TV.  However, his tone is steady, strong, and he is trying really hard to "connect" with the audience with changing the inflection in his voice and coming close--sometimes too close--to the audience.
----------
Obama has a great presence in this format, and has clearly practiced how best to balance the town hall format with debating on TV.

While he is attacking McCain frequently, it's fascinating to note that almost every time he does so, the audience approval lines go down.  Clearly, the CNN panel, like Americans at large, do not want to hear politicians talk about other politicians.  They want to talk about the issues instead.