The Presidential Test: Obama Wins It

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:10:45 AM EST
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To me, the key feature of the debate was that Barack Obama looked like a President and John McCain did not (I am not unaware of the irony of my assertion, given the fact Obama would be our first African American President. Nonetheless, I truly believe it.) A Bloomberg/LATimes poll (caveat, I am not a big fan of the LATimes poll) confirms my view:

One potentially important finding among these debate watchers is that while McCain retained his advantage on experience, voters said Obama seemed more presidential by a 46 percent to 33 percent margin. Among those uncertain about their vote -- those who are either undecided or declaring they may change preference -- Obama was more than 2-to-1 ahead of McCain on this question."The thing that helped Obama slightly is that he seemed more presidential," said Susan Pinkus, who conducts the poll. "He passed the presidential test."

(Emphasis supplied.) Here Pinkus demonstrates one of the reasons I do not care for her as a pollster/pundit. To say that it helps Obama "slightly" that he was viewed as more Presidential and "passed the Presidential test" is the understatement of this election. If Obama passes that test, he wins the election easily. McCain knows this. Obama knows this. Apparently Pinkus is the one person who does not.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

< The Polls - 9/29 And The Debate | Running Against Republicanism >

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The Presidential Test: Obama Wins It | 15 comments (15 topical)

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How about taking on a real issue? (1.00 / 2) (#6)
by Mr Natural on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:38:36 AM EST

Obama seemed more presidential

Do you have any idea how empty that characterization seems?

How about taking on a real issue, one that's right up your alley, Attorney BigTent.

Obama Orchestrates Opinion Oppression

"Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign is asking Missouri law enforcement to target anyone who lies or runs a misleading television ad during the presidential campaign."

http://www.kmov.com/video/index.html?nvid=285793&shu=1

To which Missouri Governor Matt Blunt responded,

"St. Louis County Circuit Attorney Bob McCulloch, St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, Jefferson County Sheriff Glenn Boyer, and Obama and the leader of his Missouri campaign Senator Claire McCaskill have attached the stench of police state tactics to the Obama-Biden campaign."
"What Senator Obama and his helpers are doing is scandalous beyond words, the party that claims to be the party of Thomas Jefferson is abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment."
"This abuse of the law for intimidation insults the most sacred principles and ideals of Jefferson. I can think of nothing more offensive to Jefferson's thinking than using the power of the state to deprive Americans of their civil rights. The only conceivable purpose of Messrs. McCulloch, Obama and the others is to frighten people away from expressing themselves, to chill free and open debate, to suppress support and donations to conservative organizations targeted by this anti-civil rights, to strangle criticism of Mr. Obama, to suppress ads about his support of higher taxes, and to choke out criticism on television, radio, the Internet, blogs, e-mail and daily conversation about the election."

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/09/missouris_obama_truth_squads_2.html

I apologize for interrupting and for citing a right wing blog.

: You know what is funny? (none / 0) (#8)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:44:45 AM EST

This blog has taken on every issue, and the bailout issue in great detail.
But you want politics to be the Oxford debating society and want me to pretend it is too.
I hate comments like yours that pretend that the only thing ever written at this blog or by me is the post you are commenting in.
It smacks of ignorance and I am trying to shed my threads of ignorance.
Please try to do better next time.

Gore and Kerry passed the test too (none / 0) (#1)
by stefystef on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:21:38 AM EST

And Kerry was strong in his campaign (flip floppin and all), up to November. And we know what happened.

I know there's alot of Obama enthusiasm (almost a worship of the man) and the need to exaggerate his abilities in order to push him through, but I listen to people on various blogs and CSPAN and it is not as clear cut as it would seem.

There is something moving underneath that is not in Obama's favor... but I can't put my finger on it. Yet.

Kerry was terrible until October (5.00 / 2) (#4)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:37:13 AM EST

I hate revisionist history.

Gore won the election.


I don't think Kerry was ever strong. (none / 0) (#7)
by tigercourse on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:39:36 AM EST

Kerry wasn't popular, but Dems did vote for him (none / 0) (#11)
by stefystef on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 11:11:57 AM EST

: 75% of dems (none / 0) (#12)
by TruthMatters on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 12:05:41 PM EST

at least usually vote for the Dem, thats what makes them Dems.

There's very little contest. . . (none / 0) (#2)
by LarryInNYC on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:23:52 AM EST

Obama has a lot going for him -- youth, obviously (or rather, lack of age), a fantastic political voice, command of the subject matter, the lack of a long legislative record to defend.

But the biggest thing he has is his preternatural, Reagan-like sense of calm. Whereas you often have the feeling that McCain is going to fly off the handle Obama is calm almost to the point of somnambulism. And that's a good thing -- it creates a sense of competence.

I wish he were a little more pithy in his speech. And my personal tastes run to a bit more rough-and-tumble with McCain. But I think Obama, whether due to natural inclination or political calculation, presents just the kind of persona that the public craves in a President.

: Invoking the image of Reagan (none / 0) (#16)
by stefystef on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 03:19:20 PM EST

is not allowed here ~hahahahahahahahaha~

Obama is now the "steady hand" (none / 0) (#3)
by andgarden on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:34:19 AM EST

The public... (none / 0) (#5)
by OldCity on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 09:38:12 AM EST

that is, the segment of the public that doesn't think he's a "secret muslim" or the segment that won't vote for him strictly on race, seems to have figured out that someone who's analytical might just be the better bet.

Obama conveys the impression that he has reveiwed all information about an issue, pro and con, and has formed his opinions accordingly. Thus, he's able to agree with his opponent on certain issues without engaging in partisan theatrics that aren't productive to a discussion.

McCain just looks pissed off. No other way to say it. Irritated. Flabbergasted that this younger guy has had so much success.

Even viewed through my admittedly partisan prism, I think that Obama did much better than the pundits credit. If he didn't put to rest the idea that he's not Presidential, he at least dented it.

The crucial turning point for Obama occurred before the debate even took place. He made McCain blink. He forced McCain to show up. McCain was in a weakened position before he even walked in.

: How about the segment of the population (none / 0) (#14)
by BrassTacks on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 12:40:40 PM EST

who will vote FOR him, strictly based on race? As Eleanor Clift said "there's nothing wrong with voting based on racial pride". I know lots of AA's who are doing just that, including my inlaws. They know little about either candidate, and don't much care about any politics, but they will vote for Obama!

what it takes (none / 0) (#10)
by Oceandweller on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 10:03:14 AM EST

presidential /, well obama certainly passed the test, because despite what ms Maureen dowd thinks and apparently a few misgiven pundits, being a president is not about going for the kill in a debate or flashing back a stunning answer but about leading and explaining why one does choose that specific choice, a president represents every and each american, he owes every and each american the best answer and acts accordingly believing each and every one apt to understand and approve his choice. obama behaved like he thinks we are, an intelligent wise people and as it has always been : when you upgrade your audiance,, your audience upgrades you.
McCain belives us to be petty, stupid, birdbrainish like Palin, he believes the worse of us , we give him the worst reviews...
Obama passes, John fails
law of life

I told you so! (none / 0) (#13)
by BrassTacks on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 12:37:29 PM EST

It was the expensive suit, perfectly tailored, and the expensive, perfect tie. Those things, and the white shirt with just the right collar, made him look very Presidential. Money talks, if you know how to wear it. In contrast, McCain looked like a country bumpkin in an ill fitting, cheaper looking, suit that did not lay properly against his shoulders, a tie that was cheaper and fatter, so it didn't sit quite right either, and a blue shirt. My gosh, what was he thinking?! I thought republicans had all the money and knew how to dress. Obviously not!

: Obama is stately in all settings (none / 0) (#15)
by MoveThatBus on Mon Sep 29, 2008 at 01:28:22 PM EST

He projects himself with exceptional class and statesmanship. Never would have expected McCain to appear more presidential than Obama, myself.
I have to keep reminding myself that McCain looks unkept because of his war injuries, and there is no suit or tailor who can make him appear stately.