Third Presidential Debate Commentary by Jackson B. Miller
October 16, 2008
Competitors: John McCain and Barack Obama
Motion: Resolved – This house supports me for President of the United States
Format: Sit-down with the moderator
Adjudicator: Jackson B. Miller
Results
John McCain = 142
Barack Obama = 149
Winner = Barack Obama
Matter – McCain
Strengths
- Debates are often defined by memorable examples and analogies, and the “Joe the Plumber” example is clearly one of the “moments” of this debate (one can already envision the Saturday Night Live sketch). McCain even got Obama to respond directly to “Joe” at one point. When you can get your opponent to use the examples or analogies that you bring to the debate it normally helps your side.
- It was a flub, but “Senator Government” was one of his best lines, and one of his strongest attacks. I know he meant to say “Senator Obama” (and he even corrected himself), but “Senator Government” was a powerful way to craft an image of Obama as a “big government” candidate.
- His “if you wanted to run against George Bush, you should have run four years ago” line was effective overall. In the last debate, he lacked a clear response to Obama’s claim that a McCain presidency is a “third term” for Bush, and this line provided a direct counterargument. It is not the most logical argument (since Obama hadn’t even been elected to the Senate in 2004), but it provided a response nonetheless.
- McCain clearly went into the debate with a strategy to attack Obama’s answers as too “eloquent.” The attempt to paint Obama as “tricky” with his words was somewhat successful (but also a potential weakness, as explained below)
Weaknesses
- One weakness is a simple factual inaccuracy. McCain claimed that businesses in the United States pay a “35% tax rate” which he noted is “2nd highest in the world.” What he does not explain is that businesses in the U.S. do not actually pay taxes at the 35% rate. Under a “flat tax” system, the 35% figure would be accurate, but the U.S. does NOT have a flat tax system. Businesses (both small and large) benefit from literally thousands of tax breaks and tax code loopholes.
- McCain did not provide a clear answer to the moderator’s question about “what would you cut?” He danced around the question for a bit and finally mentioned a few minor programs that might be cut. This response was particularly damaging given the “straight talk” image that he has tried to cultivate.
- He made an abrupt transition from a discussion about Obama’s association with Ayers to the line “my campaign is all about the economy.” It was an awkward moment because McCain seemed to realize that there was an inconsistency in his logic and you could almost see it on his face. Obama’s relationship with Ayers has nothing to do with the current economic crisis.
- While the “Joe the plumber” example was memorable, McCain repeated it way too often later in the debate. This gave the impression that he did not have new or compelling arguments to present on some of the issues raised during the second half of the debate.
- Although the attacks on Obama’s “eloquence” were somewhat effective, they seemed to lack spontaneity. It sounded as if McCain had been “coached” to make these responses, and overall this made him appear less genuine.
Score = 72
Matter – Obama
Strengths
- Obama’s responses to the initial questions about the economic crisis were clear and well-supported. Economic issues are often difficult to explain in everyday language, but he did a nice job of providing details about what will happen going forward with the bailout package. This clear and understandable language only helped to reinforce the image he is trying to cultivate as a “caretaker” of the economy.
- The comparison of the two healthcare proposals was clear and detailed. Obama made a cogent argument here where he first provided details about his proposal, contrasted it with the proposal advanced by McCain, and finally explained why his approach to healthcare would ultimately be more beneficial. He also used examples effectively here to help illustrate how his plan might affect “average” Americans.
Weaknesses
- Obama did not provide a clear answer to the moderator’s “what would you cut” question. He danced around the issue fairly effectively, but ultimately he failed to mention even one specific program that he would cut.
- He got drawn into a long discussion about “negative ads.” Overall, his responses to the issues here contradicted his overall contention that the debate should be about issues (as opposed to “personalities”).
- He also brought up evidence during the “negative ads” discussion that clearly showed that he came to the debate ready to talk about more than just the “issues.” It was clear that he had prepared a response on the Ayers issue, and he also cited figures about McCain running “100% negative ads.” This “100%” figure is not true – and it is normally advisable to avoid “absolutist” claims like this in a debate.
Score = 73
Manner – McCain
Strengths
- McCain did a nice job throughout the debate of looking into the camera. He made a lot of direct eye contact and he projected a very personable image overall.
- He also seemed more at ease in his exchanges with Obama. The two candidates actually questioned each other this time around, and McCain projected an image of comfort with this “sit down” format through his nonverbals.
Weaknesses
- McCain made several wording blunders throughout the debate. Some, like “Senator Government,” might have helped his cause. However, others (like when he said “Fannie and Freddie Mae” early in the debate) only hurt his credibility.
- Speakers often express nervousness through the use of “object adaptor” gestures. These are moments where a speaker will tug at clothing, tap a pencil on the table, or exhibit other nonverbals that signal discomfort. McCain displayed some of these “object adaptors” in the way he was holding and fiddling with his pen and notepad.
- McCain did a lot of out of context smiling. With the “split-screen” image that was used for much of the television broadcast, these smiles were particularly noticeable. This is another nonverbal that conveys discomfort or nervousness.
- His gestures were repetitive. For the most part, he only gestured with his left hand and he made a simple “up and down” motion each time. A little more variety was needed to help emphasize his points and enhance his credibility.
- He allows his vocal pitch to go too high in spots. McCain probably increases his pitch in this way in an attempt to convey conviction for his ideas, but this increase in pitch also gives the impression that he is either annoyed or overly emotional.
Score = 70
Manner – Obama
Strengths
- Obama’s gestures were excellent overall. From watching his gestures, you would not know he was sitting down at a table. He incorporated a nice variety of gestures, and they were well-timed.
- His vocal cadence is a real strength. Obama naturally places vocal emphasis on the right words, and his inflection patterns convey a sense of confidence in his ideas (without making him sound condescending or egotistical).
Weaknesses
- Obama tends to repeat the word “look.” This is the generic word that he uses as a sort of transition to his next example or idea. It is not a bad word for him to use, but the repetition of it does get old.
- He also makes frequent use of the stock phrase, “the last point I want to make.” Many of his answers contain this phrase, and the repetition gives some of his responses a “formulaic” feel.
Score = 76
Would you like to comment?

Hi Professor Miller – Appreciated your commentary on the last debate — however, you called it a bit closer than I, or most of the “average” viewers immediately polled, saw it. Still, I feel you comments and criticisms are relevant (how could your Mother think otherwise)and am of course proud to have my son commenting on this, perhaps the most important election, of our century. By the way, the Washington Post endorsed Obama today! Yeah! love, mom
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