Chunkymouth 2.1 Where the cool kids hang out.

Barack Obama: Presidential; John McCain: Contemptuous and Ill-suited

I was so infuriated by John McCain during tonight’s presidential debate, I wanted to write an in-depth breakdown of each candidate’s performance, along with a full explanation of why I thought that Obama won the debate handily.  Sadly, Twitter, text messaging and Facebook have rendered me incapable of composing thoughts longer than 140 characters. As a result, I can’t write myself out of a paper bag. Thanks a lot, Twitter.

That being said, I still feel the need to mention a few key points from tonight’s debate that really set me off:

• McCain referred to Obama as pro-abortion four times. Personally, I find that offensive. And I am extremely hard to offend. You’re either pro-choice or anti-abortion. Nobody (or, at least, nobody sane) is pro-abortion. Boo, Senator McCain. Boo.
• OK, I’m used to the constant political B.S. that occurs back and forth on both sides in these debates, but it’s rare that I hear a candidate take a firm position and state, “Here is what I believe.” McCain did that tonight on education. And, while I respect his candor, that man is insane. During the debate, he suggested the idea of “Troops to Teachers”, which would allow soldiers to, upon leaving the armed forces, gain jobs as teachers – without any training or certification. ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME?!? This idea still, two hours after the debate, makes my face turn red with anger. Don’t get me wrong. Although I disagree with our current war, I have nothing against our troops. I hope they all come home safely. And soon. But that doesn’t mean I think they are automatically qualified to teach our children. McCain’s proposal further propagates the idea that “those who can’t, teach.” Teaching is a calling. Not a fall-back or safety job. Shame on you, Senator McCain, for suggesting otherwise. Even if I had been a huge supporter of yours, you would have lost my vote tonight on this point alone. A wise person once said, “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well, and let them lead the way.” I think that person was Abraham Lincoln. It may have been Whitney Houston. I always get those two mixed up.
• My last point has less to do with what the candidates said, and more to do with how they conducted themselves. McCain said a few things tonight that I knew to be absolutely untrue. So, how did Obama react? Well, a few times, Obama’s disagreement with McCain’s statements registered on his face for a second or two, but he politely waited until it was his time to respond before addressing his concerns. That is the kind of behavior I look for in a president. McCain, however, responded to Obama’s (mostly true) statements with interruptions, eye rolling and awkward hand gestures. Now, I realize that after eight years of George W. Bush, our standards for a president’s public speaking skills are pretty low. At this point, I’m impressed when our current president can face the public without pooping himself. That, however, should not be the gold standard. I heard a few right-wing pundits refer to Obama’s performance tonight as “professorial”. Why is “knowledgeable” considered a pejorative? I, for one, EMBRACE the idea of a professorial president. Senator Obama, I look forward to your presidency.

Readers, (and by “readers” I mean “friends and family members”) I am obviously an Obama fan. And that’s the most important thing I’d like you to take away from this blog post. Although this particular missive is very anti-McCain, this election is the first time since I have been legally allowed to vote that I will have voted FOR somebody instead of against somebody. I believe in Barack Obama, and I hope you will too.