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First Read: The day in politics by NBC News for NBC News
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FIRST THOUGHTS: The last dance
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Believe it or not, but after some 40 debates, the 2008
presidential debate season finally came to a close last night. Remarkably, the
country only got three debates for the general election, while they were
treated to about 35 for the primaries. This is a point that we tired members of
the press don't emphasize enough, but what does it say about our presidential
election system that we spent 15 months on the primaries and approximately 75
days for the general (conventions to election day)? Here we are at one of the
most critical junctures in American history, and we're cramming six months of a
general election into six weeks? Crazy. Now, as for the debate, supporters of
McCain feel great and supporters of Obama feel relieved. Translation: McCain
was aggressive and Obama didn't commit any major mistakes.
*** Appealing To The Base vs. Appealing To Indies: McCain didn't accomplish the
major goal of disqualifying Obama as president without raising his negatives.
He was certainly aggressive and many a supporter was probably heartened by some
of his relentless hits. But did he make any gains with the middle? Time and
again last night, Obama went out of his way to find a center-right watchword or
phrase (tax cuts, life, responsibility, charter schools, tort reform) to defend
himself or make a point. McCain, on the other hand, spent a lot of time talking
to his current supporters -- but not the middle. In fact, he just didn't talk
to his base but those who are following this race most closely in his base
since many of his attacks were done in shorthand without explanation for the
lay viewer. The exchange over abortion was probably the best example of this,
where Obama's language probably pleased 60% of the electorate versus 40% for
McCain. It's as if BOTH candidates were trying to win Indiana or West Virginia
last night. And that's not good for McCain; we didn't see evidence he was
trying to win swing voters in Wisconsin, Colorado or Florida.
*** Enter Joe The Plumber: In addition, the tax conversation may be one of the
bigger mis-reads of this debate season. Taxes and spending are way down the
list of issue importance in current polls.(1% in a recent Washington Post/ABC
poll). For McCain, talking about lower taxes never hurts, but it's just not a
priority with voters right now. And some voters might struggle connecting taxes
to the current economic problems -- especially when taxes are relatively low.
Of course, the best hit of the night for McCain was his introduction to the
country of "Joe the plumber." McCain mentioned him no fewer than 20 times and
certainly guaranteed a Day 2 storyline that's controlled by his campaign, since
many in the media will be seeking out "Joe" for his debate take. For a campaign
that strives to win a news cycle, we're guessing the McCain campaign will be
pleased tomorrow.
First Read with NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd, every weekday on
MSNBC-TV at 9 a.m. ET.
For more: The latest edition of First Read is available now at
http://www.FirstRead.MSNBC.com !
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