McCain’s Like a Cork Bobbing on the Ocean

John McCain is the political equivalent of a cork bobbing on the ocean. He’s at the mercy of the financial crisis gripping the country.

That’s because in tough economic times, voters punish the party in power in the White House. It may not make sense but it’s a historic reality.

So when McCain took the stage tonight for his second debate against Barack Obama, he faced long odds.

Obama opened by saying we’re in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. That’s arguable at this point but it gave him an opportunity to blast the Bush Administration. It also played to voters’ fears.

McCain mentioned energy independence, lower taxes, and spending reforms in his opening. He said that the government had to do something about declining home values.

McCain partly flubbed his answer on who he would nominate as Secretary of the Treasury by mentioning that financial guru Warren Buffett was supporting Obama. Huh?

McCain went after Obama “and his cronies” on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. However, McCain didn’t sustain the attack by explaining the role of the mortgage giants in the crisis.

McCain did a pretty good job again blasting overspending and earmarks. Obama responded well by criticizing McCain on tax policy.

Obama acted like the candidate in the catbird seat in this debate. He was restrained in his answers and didn’t take the bait when McCain went after him. He did well in the town hall format that McCain favors.

McCain scored some points when he criticized Obama’s tax policies.

Obama wasn’t anxioius to tackle moderator Tom Brokaw’s question on reform of entitlement programs in Social Security and Medicare. So he rebutted McCain’s tax arguments instead.

Hmmm, maybe Obama watched Sarah Palin in the vice presidential debate last week.

About one hour into the debate, neither candidate had drawn blood. More importantly, not one question had been raised about national security. Obama gains in that situation without saying a word.

The first national security question focused on how the economic crisis would impact America’s ability to be a peacemaker. When it rains it pours for McCain – he couldn’t even get a clean opening question in his area of strength.

Obama was pretty smooth in the national security portion of the debate. McCain scored more points in this part of the debate but you have to wonder if he moved voters.

That’s McCain’s big problem. In this economic environment, the candidates take on a stick figure quality. It’s not about the candidates, it’s about throwing the party in power out on its ear.

Oh, by the way, I scored the debate a draw. That’s not good for the guy who’s bobbing on the ocean.

Tuesday, October 7, 9:45 p.m.