Legal Commentary

Describing McCain

By TChris

Key word descriptions of John McCain's debate demeanor from Patrick Healy at the New York Times:

tetchy ... increasingly inconsistent and testy ... churlish ... tactics and tone appeared not to help him ... voice turned edgy at times ... frozen smile and wide eyes — which blinked frequently and distractingly at times — seemed a little strange ... [quoting Robert Shrum] "confused, ineffective, at times stumbling"

From Mary McNamara at the Los Angeles Times:

at times could not contain himself, muttering and issuing small grunts ... eye-widening and explosive snorts ... simply rude

From a San Francisco Chronicle editorial:

[more ...]

awkward moments ... uncomfortable and even agitated ...

Two full sentences from Joe Garofoli for the Chronicle: [more ...]

McCain didn't look presidential on the split screen when he rolled and bugged out his eyes in mock surprise while Obama was talking. The best was the look on McCain's face when Obama threw a sideways compliment at Fox News.

For substance, Eugene Robinson:

Voters heard Democratic Party ideas juxtaposed against Republican Party ideas. That, more than grouchiness or demeanor, is what worked against John McCain and led respondents in the network instant polls to overwhelmingly favor Obama.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on October 16, 2008 (boomark / email).