Saturday, September 27, 2008

Yepsen Says McCain Won the First Presidential Debate

David Yepsen, political guru of the Des Moines Register, has written his review of last night's first presidential debate. His verdict: John McCain won. Yepsen is hardly a pro-GOP pundit, so the fact Yepsen feels this way says McCain definitely did well last night. Here's part of Yepsen's review:

It was one of the most substantive debates in recent presidential campaign history and John McCain won it.

The Arizona senator was cool, informed and forceful in Friday’s first presidential debate of the general election campaign.

He repeatedly put Barack Obama on the defensive throughout the 90 minutes session. Obama did little to ease voter concerns that he’s experienced enough to handle foreign and defense policy. That was his number one task Friday night and he failed.

Instead he was often his old meandering self, unable to state a quick, forceful position. Polls taken in the coming days should show McCain holding on to his trump card in the race - the view that he’s better equipped to be commander in chief.

He condescendingly called Obama “naive” at a couple points in the debate, like an old master lecturing a young understudy. Obama never seemed able to attack back. . . . .

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