John McCain got aggressive in his final debate with Barack Obama. It’s doubtful, though, that he changed the trajectory of the campaign.
McCain set the tone early when he said that Obama was engaging in class warfare.
McCain also chastised Obama for linking him to President Bush: “If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago.”
Obama was forced to defend his relationship with ’60’s radical Bill Ayers. It’s hard to know, though, if the Ayers issue will have legs in tough economic times.
McCain attacked Obama for his support of Acorn, the public interest group that in some states has engaged in questionable, even fraudulent voter registration practices. I thought Obama was winged a little bit in this exchange.
It was hard in this format, however, for McCain to really sustain an attack.
Let’s also give credit to Obama. He’s a very formidable debater. He may stumble a little but he rights himself quickly. He did that several times tonight.
He also exhibited considerable command tonight of a variety of domestic policy issues. His explanation of his health care policy, for example, iwas pretty impressive.
One thing’s for sure: Joe the Plumber is now famous. Joe Wurzelbacher of Toledo, Ohio, talked to Obama at one of his rallies.
McCain first talked about Joe when he maintained that Obama would raise his taxes. He brought him up again when he discussed health care. Now the media can have a field day following up with Joe.
I liked McCain’s aggressiveness tonight. I just doubt that it can make much difference in this economic environment.
The numbers favor Obama at this point. Battleground states of one month ago are now firmly in his column.
McCain, on the other hand, is being forced to defend small leads in traditional Republican strongholds such as Virginia, Indiana, and North Carolina.
That’s bad math for John McCain, even after an aggressive debate performance.
Wednesday, October 15, 9:40 p.m.
