I think I noticed something i've heard no one mention on forums or the news networks.

When McCain was telling the story of the mother who gave him the wrist band that had her deceased military sons name on it McCain fluidly spoke of the young man and knew his name.

When Obama responded I have a bracelet too, then he hum hawed a moment uh and then looked at his wrist band. I believe it was because he needed to remember just whose name it was on the wristband.

That was pretty sad I thought. More so when I heard commentary of others say how they thought Obama seemed more connected and compassionate of the average citizen.

Not nearly as sad was that Obama placed sole blame on Bush trying to connect Bush and McCain and the Treasury secretary for the Mortgage and Banking crisis and McCain for whatever reason failed to nail Obama on the fact that the entire Crisis is the result of the comunity investment act that Clinton changed. That legislation tied the hands of fanny mae and freddie mack to offer loans to people that could not afford them. Where bush failed was not seeing the signs of the impending disaster that that piece of legislation created to begin with.

It is not reasonable to legislate that any loans is a good loan especially if you are loaning to the poor that have not even demonstrated the ability to afford a down payment. What the .... are they thinking.

My mother very rarely pays any attention to politics, but even she could tell that Obama was in over his head. She said "Obama is talking alot but saying nothing, surely people can see this." I must say that I thought Mccain seemed like the much more experienced of the two, in damn near every topic, he had actually been to the places of the subject first hand. Im not taken with either of the candidates so far, but id give this debate to Mccain.

Originally posted by DailyBuzz

Originally posted by Ekibiogami

Given that all Obama Has to do is Fart and the press is standing there saying it smells like Roses you think McCain has a reason to Not do stunts?

Of course not. McCain has to resort to stunts. He has a running mate that can't answer a simple question without looking like a beauty queen who found herself in a presidential campaign.

Dissagere with you on that. But the Debate will tell.

Anyway, it's not like stunts are new to political campaigning. It's the people who refuse to admit that it's a stunt that are alarming to me. 

Agree 100%
 

And the ad was probably paid for over a month ago. They wouldent give him it back at this point because it would cost them money.

What does ads already being paid for have to do with suspending his campaign? If you say you're pulling ads, pull ads, or don't say it to begin with. Again, it was a political stunt that backfired. At least he distracted some attention away from his floundering running mate.

If its allready paid for you cant just pull it last minuet. They will keep the money you allready paid for the slot. McCain has a Mutch smaller Budget than Obama and TV time aint cheep.

That's what's so funny about all of this. McCain picked Palin to add some media attention to his campaign, and now he's pulling stunts to spur some media attention away from Palin. We all knew this was going to happen.

After the Attacks they Let loose on her I wouldent let them near her Either. And Letterman Could Kiss my Butt. Id never go on his show.

 

The debate was pretty even in my opinion. Obama smoked him in the first 30 minutes on economics but John livened up when the foreign policy questions started rolling in.

I doubt the undecideds made up their mind over this debate.

This should have been McCain's big night though. With such a history and amassed experience, McCain, by all rights, should have wiped the floor with Obama. That clearly didn't happen.

Tie goes to the new guy. Obama wins simply by not losing.

Originally posted by DailyBuzz

The debate was pretty even in my opinion. Obama smoked him in the first 30 minutes on economics but John livened up when the foreign policy questions started rolling in.

I doubt the undecideds made up their mind over this debate.

This should have been McCain's big night though. With such a history and amassed experience, McCain, by all rights, should have wiped the floor with Obama. That clearly didn't happen.

Tie goes to the new guy. Obama wins simply by not losing.

Yep, as a conservative who is pulling for McCain, I would have to objectively say that the debate was essentially a tie.  Neither candidate hit any home runs and neither one screwed up royally.  Conventional wisdom says that a tie goes to Obama and I wouldn't disagree with that.  But debates historically have never decided and election, with the possible exception of Lincoln-Douglas and Kennedy-Nixon.  I think other factors will decide this election.

Obama catered to the independents more than McCain (that's what CNN said after the debate. There had a focus group monitoring positive and negative responses to what McCain and Obama were saying and the Independents favored Obama)

Since Independents are swing votes than Obama won the debate.
Biden's short interview after the debate was really strong as well.

Originally posted by Thrakk

Obama catered to the independents more than McCain (that's what CNN said after the debate. There had a focus group monitoring positive and negative responses to what McCain and Obama were saying and the Independents favored Obama)

Since Independents are swing votes than Obama won the debate.
Biden's short interview after the debate was really strong as well.

Ya  I saw that, actually the fox news one. Amazingly scientific? Who would have thought 30 independents carefully picked in liberal Las Vegas tallied by the raising of hands would be the measure that determines the winner of their first debate.

The last tally I saw on the same station from regular viewers was 82% McCain 16% Obama and the stations viewiers are made up of 39% Republican 36% Democrat and 24% Independent or other. I think that is more accurate.

I was impressed Biden did not have to remove his foot from his mouth.

Originally posted by Thrakk

Obama catered to the independents more than McCain (that's what CNN said after the debate. There had a focus group monitoring positive and negative responses to what McCain and Obama were saying and the Independents favored Obama)

Since Independents are swing votes than Obama won the debate.
Biden's short interview after the debate was really strong as well.

Your kidding right? Obama is so far outa touch with people in the Middle its scarry. A few more of these and he will be in the tank.

And CNN? Thats almost as bad as me Quoteing Fox. Coulda been worse and youda said MSNBC...

Edit: Oh and this was on Fox. Looks Like McCain was right 9 times.. Lol Wonder what Obamas gana say abought this?

Ya, I think the Debate was pretty much a tie and in that case a win for Obama.  There also wasn't much of the moderator feeding Obama answers this time.  Maybe it was due to his 4 teleprompters. 

However, I fundamentally disagree with Obama's economic plan.  I don't think you should be taxing people over 50% of thier personal income, and 35% of thier business.  This is the taxes our employers will have to pay.  If you are an honest American who pays thier taxes and doesn't take advantage of loop-holes you are out alot of money.  I think the better solution is to lower both these taxes and decrease the amount of tax exemptions, or put a limit on it so you aren't having employers making 1 solar powered low flush toilet to get a huge tax break.   It was ironic when Obama was criticising McCains plan by noting 94% of americans won't have a tax increase, where as McCain's plan calls for cutting taxes on 100% of americans.

I also disagree with bail-outs, however both the candidates came to the same conclusion.

Originally posted by CleffyII

However, I fundamentally disagree with Obama's economic plan.  I don't think you should be taxing people over 50% of thier personal income, and 35% of thier business.  This is the taxes our employers will have to pay.  If you are an honest American who pays thier taxes and doesn't take advantage of loop-holes you are out alot of money.  I think the better solution is to lower both these taxes and decrease the amount of tax exemptions, or put a limit on it so you aren't having employers making 1 solar powered low flush toilet to get a huge tax break.   It was ironic when Obama was criticising McCains plan by noting 94% of americans won't have a tax increase, where as McCain's plan calls for cutting taxes on 100% of americans.

That is precisely the problem with both candidates. They should not be using tax policy as an economic plan, or for social engineering.

Tax policy should revolve around raising money to operate the government only. Under the current system, using it for economic and social engineering policy, the politicians are actually SPENDING money off budget. When they give tax breaks for research and developement everybody and their brother jumps in to take the credit, regardless of whether they are actually doing qualified research or not. Same with the domestic production activities deduction. It creates much more abuse, and cost to taxpayers, than just actually giving a grant for research in specific areas, like energy. For example, Gygax's company, TSR, once took a research tax credit on writing D&D rules, as the law was vague on what qualifies as research.

By the way, decreasing exemptions is actually a tax increase. So is taxing company paid medical insurance costs, whether it be at the employer or employee level.

And McCain's little example of Ireland was laughable. Business moving to Ireland because of tax reasons is not the problem, business moving to China/India because of lower wages/regulation is. Business doesn't move to the Cayman Islands, they just change their address, but the physical location of their headquarters still remains in the US.

Both candidates are far to naive on tax policy issues.

Originally posted by DailyBuzz

The debate was pretty even in my opinion. Obama smoked him in the first 30 minutes on economics but John livened up when the foreign policy questions started rolling in.

I doubt the undecideds made up their mind over this debate.

This should have been McCain's big night though. With such a history and amassed experience, McCain, by all rights, should have wiped the floor with Obama. That clearly didn't happen.

Tie goes to the new guy. Obama wins simply by not losing.

I agree. This debate was pretty much a tie. Each got to display their platforms and ideas and still able to direct the expected punches at each other. Nothing was in any way a showstopper or even outside of the box. McCain did well in controling his temper but I could see he was fighting it. Obama came across as more of a political science professor than a presidental contender. He really needs to pick up some of McCain's fire. The one thing that worked in Obama's favor is that since McCain is behind in the polls, he really needed to stand out and hit a homerun with this debate and I don't think he did that tonight. Anyone who thinks that either McCain or Obama "owned" or "pwnd" the other either didn't pay much attention to the debate or has lost all objectivity.
 

Originally posted by keltic1701

Originally posted by DailyBuzz

The debate was pretty even in my opinion. Obama smoked him in the first 30 minutes on economics but John livened up when the foreign policy questions started rolling in.

I doubt the undecideds made up their mind over this debate.

This should have been McCain's big night though. With such a history and amassed experience, McCain, by all rights, should have wiped the floor with Obama. That clearly didn't happen.

Tie goes to the new guy. Obama wins simply by not losing.

I agree. This debate was pretty much a tie. Each got to display their platforms and ideas and still able to direct the expected punches at each other. Nothing was in any way a showstopper or even outside of the box. McCain did well in controling his temper but I could see he was fighting it. Obama came across as more of a political science professor than a presidental contender. He really needs to pick up some of McCain's fire. The one thing that worked in Obama's favor is that since McCain is behind in the polls, he really needed to stand out and hit a homerun with this debate and I don't think he did that tonight. Anyone who thinks that either McCain or Obama "owned" or "pwnd" the other either didn't pay much attention to the debate or has lost all objectivity.
 

    I agree that Obama dominated in the first 30 minutes during the hot button issue of the economy  and because of that and stressing that it was problem caused by the past 8 years of the current administration Obmama  set a pace .Agreeing with Obama that we must be strong at home before we can be effective handling foreign matters as he also stressed national security as well.

  McCain did make an issue of Obamas lack of foreign visits but Obamas sub committee makes the decisions to travel not him and he has been a senator for only 2.5 years - Yes, I must admit that McCain has more exp as a Senator  and thusly more exp with foreign policy  and travel but he also has a couple of failed attempts running for president .

it was interesting to see McCain look so uncomfortable in the split screen when Obama made vaid points.  Obama won this debate.

Originally posted by JestorRodo

Originally posted by keltic1701

Originally posted by DailyBuzz

The debate was pretty even in my opinion. Obama smoked him in the first 30 minutes on economics but John livened up when the foreign policy questions started rolling in.

I doubt the undecideds made up their mind over this debate.

This should have been McCain's big night though. With such a history and amassed experience, McCain, by all rights, should have wiped the floor with Obama. That clearly didn't happen.

Tie goes to the new guy. Obama wins simply by not losing.

I agree. This debate was pretty much a tie. Each got to display their platforms and ideas and still able to direct the expected punches at each other. Nothing was in any way a showstopper or even outside of the box. McCain did well in controling his temper but I could see he was fighting it. Obama came across as more of a political science professor than a presidental contender. He really needs to pick up some of McCain's fire. The one thing that worked in Obama's favor is that since McCain is behind in the polls, he really needed to stand out and hit a homerun with this debate and I don't think he did that tonight. Anyone who thinks that either McCain or Obama "owned" or "pwnd" the other either didn't pay much attention to the debate or has lost all objectivity.
 

    I agree that Obama dominated in the first 30 minutes during the hot button issue of the economy  and because of that and stressing that it was problem caused by the past 8 years of the current administration Obmama  set a pace .Agreeing with Obama that we must be strong at home before we can be effective handling foreign matters as he also stressed national security as well.

  McCain did make an issue of Obamas lack of foreign visits but Obamas sub committee makes the decisions to travel not him and he has been a senator for only 2.5 years - Yes, I must admit that McCain has more exp as a Senator  and thusly more exp with foreign policy  and travel but he also has a couple of failed attempts running for president .

it was interesting to see McCain look so uncomfortable in the split screen when Obama made vaid points.  Obama won this debate.

 

 

Jestor,

                 I see you ditched the Joker look and sporting the Barnabas Collins image now. By the way, love the Dark Shadows cane! It really brings back memories of running home from school in time to watch Dark Shadows. The only soap I ever got hooked on! lol

P.S. Sorry for drifting off the subject.

People actually think Biden's interview at the end helped?  They must not of seen the one on Fox where he said he wouldn't talk about how much more experience he has while debating against Sarah Palin. 

So in Thursday's debate we better not see Biden mention his vast experience even one time.  Otherwise he is just a twofaced lying hack.  He attacked McCain for doing it with Obama and we know for a fact he will use the fact that he has more experience in his VP debate. 

People see what they want to see I guess. 

People seem to think Obama was the more confident person, personally I don't agree.  My wife watched the debate as well (life long democrat) and thought that Obama looked nervous and on the defensive.  She said he stuttered a lot and looked uncomfortable. 

Personally I think McCain came out the stronger of the two in this debate.  Obama's attempts to tie McCain to the current administration seemed hollow, as if he was just saying it but didn't even believe it himself.  He also agreed with McCain a lot of times.  It almost seemed like almost every other point was an agreement with McCain (especially on Foreign Policy).  Lastly Obama wouldn't answer the question about what he would cut do to this 700 billion dollar bail out.  He completed evaded the question and instead answered with parts of his stump speech.  It came off as prepared remarks with no relevance to the question. 

At Least McCain stated he would implement a spending freeze and then proceed to cut the fat out of the government.  Obama responded with that "hatchet" remark but it honestly seemed defensive because Obama had no answer. 

I would of loved to see McCain Hammer Obama on his remark about the 1960s and world opinion.  I can't believe Obama actually said he wanted to return to how our Country was loved in the 60s when in fact we were hated due to the Vietnam War.  That was a huge foot in mouth moment for me. 

My favourite part is when he thought he was chiding obama about his statements on engagements in PAK territory.

You don't say that out loud!  That's dangerous! 

Guess he missed Friday's paper with the bit about US recon choppers and ground forces exchanging fire with PAK troops.  Like we're not already striking inside pakistan, and like if you don't say it out loud- we can all just pretend it isn't happening.

What a whimp.

Originally posted by xDarc

 

You don't say that out loud!  That's dangerous! 

 

i thought obama struck harder regarding that  with the 'bomb bomb bomb, bombbomb bomb iran' retort. although, mainstreet probably didnt see john make that funny joke.

I remember the mccain song about bomb iran... the crowd was to some VA's...and they were standing up and cheering when he said it.

Israel asked Bush if they can bomb Iran and bush said no, 'not while i'm still pres...'  

McCain sounded more experienced when he spoke and dominated on foreign policy.  Hard to tell them apart on domestic stuff....  lol.   Although McCain hit over and over again on nailing pork spending and showed a real passion for going after it...that sold well with me, and I'm sure others. 

As a conservative, I want SMALLER government, not bigger....one of my disappointments with Bush actually.  (though I support every penny for defense spending...hell double it.)

McCain came out sounding more consistent too.  Obama had to backtrack several times and ask for permission to clarify his answers....that doesn't look presidential at all.   ...and while I know it was his attempt to be respectful and not interupt McCain, Obama raising his hand looked....inexperienced... to say the least.

Originally posted by Faxxer

I remember the mccain song about bomb iran... the crowd was to some VA's...and they were standing up and cheering when he said it.

Actually, from the look on McCain's face, I was scared he was going to sing again. Don't quit your day job for a singing career John, Simon will roast you.

Israel asked Bush if they can bomb Iran and bush said no, 'not while i'm still pres...'  

to which Cheney replied to Israel..."Can we talk"....

McCain sounded more experienced when he spoke and dominated on foreign policy.  Hard to tell them apart on domestic stuff....  lol.   Although McCain hit over and over again on nailing pork spending and showed a real passion for going after it...that sold well with me, and I'm sure others. 

The problem is going to be political reality. Pork spending doesn't get attached to the unimportant legislation, like nation weiner dog recognition week, it gets attached to the important stuff, like funding for the troops in Iraq. If either McCain or Obama were to veto a war funding bill because of pork, someone would scream that they don't support our troops. Coversely, if they vetoed national weiner dog recognition week, most of us wouldn't care.

As a conservative, I want SMALLER government, not bigger....one of my disappointments with Bush actually.  (though I support every penny for defense spending...hell double it.)

I'm confused on this one. Bush mandated that nobody over 5 foot 2 inches (without heals) can be hired into the federal government. I guess he could always lower it so only pygmys could be hired....

McCain came out sounding more consistent too.  Obama had to backtrack several times and ask for permission to clarify his answers....that doesn't look presidential at all.   ...and while I know it was his attempt to be respectful and not interupt McCain, Obama raising his hand looked....inexperienced... to say the least.

I do think Obama started off nervous. As to raising his hand, or as to both candidates looking to the moderator to be allowed to jump in a reply, that didn't bother me. My impression is that neither is going to sit still and listen to bullshit. Unlike myself, who did so for about 90 minutes.

Of course, Obama may have been raising his hand cause he had to go to the bathroom. McCain beat him there, every time McCain smiled he was filling his Depends.

Originally posted by olddaddy

Originally posted by Faxxer

I remember the mccain song about bomb iran... the crowd was to some VA's...and they were standing up and cheering when he said it.

Actually, from the look on McCain's face, I was scared he was going to sing again. Don't quit your day job for a singing career John, Simon will roast you.

I'm sure Obama would win in a singing contest :P

Israel asked Bush if they can bomb Iran and bush said no, 'not while i'm still pres...'  

to which Cheney replied to Israel..."Can we talk"....

huh?

McCain sounded more experienced when he spoke and dominated on foreign policy.  Hard to tell them apart on domestic stuff....  lol.   Although McCain hit over and over again on nailing pork spending and showed a real passion for going after it...that sold well with me, and I'm sure others. 

The problem is going to be political reality. Pork spending doesn't get attached to the unimportant legislation, like nation weiner dog recognition week, it gets attached to the important stuff, like funding for the troops in Iraq. If either McCain or Obama were to veto a war funding bill because of pork, someone would scream that they don't support our troops. Coversely, if they vetoed national weiner dog recognition week, most of us wouldn't care.

McCain made it clear that the pork attached to important bills would be vetoed, and he "would make their names known"  McCain will win big time if he sticks to this one.

As a conservative, I want SMALLER government, not bigger....one of my disappointments with Bush actually.  (though I support every penny for defense spending...hell double it.)

I'm confused on this one. Bush mandated that nobody over 5 foot 2 inches (without heals) can be hired into the federal government. I guess he could always lower it so only pygmys could be hired....

huh?

McCain came out sounding more consistent too.  Obama had to backtrack several times and ask for permission to clarify his answers....that doesn't look presidential at all.   ...and while I know it was his attempt to be respectful and not interupt McCain, Obama raising his hand looked....inexperienced... to say the least.

I do think Obama started off nervous. As to raising his hand, or as to both candidates looking to the moderator to be allowed to jump in a reply, that didn't bother me. My impression is that neither is going to sit still and listen to bullshit. Unlike myself, who did so for about 90 minutes.

Of course, Obama may have been raising his hand cause he had to go to the bathroom. McCain beat him there, every time McCain smiled he was filling his Depends.

Just a jab that has no point or value really.

 

Originally posted by skyrockstock

I think I noticed something i've heard no one mention on forums or the news networks.

When McCain was telling the story of the mother who gave him the wrist band that had her deceased military sons name on it McCain fluidly spoke of the young man and knew his name.

When Obama responded I have a bracelet too, then he hum hawed a moment uh and then looked at his wrist band. I believe it was because he needed to remember just whose name it was on the wristband.

That was pretty sad I thought. More so when I heard commentary of others say how they thought Obama seemed more connected and compassionate of the average citizen.

Not nearly as sad was that Obama placed sole blame on Bush trying to connect Bush and McCain and the Treasury secretary for the Mortgage and Banking crisis and McCain for whatever reason failed to nail Obama on the fact that the entire Crisis is the result of the comunity investment act that Clinton changed. That legislation tied the hands of fanny mae and freddie mack to offer loans to people that could not afford them. Where bush failed was not seeing the signs of the impending disaster that that piece of legislation created to begin with.

It is not reasonable to legislate that any loans is a good loan especially if you are loaning to the poor that have not even demonstrated the ability to afford a down payment. What the .... are they thinking.

 

I couldn't put my finger what was akward about that moment in Obama's corner last night but thanks for illuminating that. You have to know your group well before you can begin talking to them and McCain indeed appeared genuine on that. If people do judge the candidates by their mannerisms and actions instead of their polocies that is.

I would also like to add that NAFTA in Clinton's timeline also could be a possible cause to the current damage as well. Not to mention the slashing of the military and the people losing their jobs and related jobs thereof for that.

It's just funny how people neglect the policies of Clinton's timeline or preceeding presidential timelines for that matter as catalysts to current troubles. Nope just blame the current president, one limited target or entity, instead.

Nobody mentions the greedy interest rate these companies were charging either. Nope just blame the people that could pay the loan before these absurd interest rates rose. There were folks who could pay these loans before these interest rate abuses.

Edited for grammar

Ross Perot was right!!!

Originally posted by Cabe2323

People see what they want to see I guess. 

 

People seem to think Obama was the more confident person, personally I don't agree.  My wife watched the debate as well (life long democrat) and thought that Obama looked nervous and on the defensive.  She said he stuttered a lot and looked uncomfortable. 

I didn't see that at all. Obama got flustered once, that I noticed, and it wasn't because he was nervous, I think he was justifiably intollerant of McCain's false characterizations of Obama's policies.

Obama showed great poise and presence. He also showed incredible command of the issues in the face of a 26 year veteran. Obama did not appear to be the least bit uncomfortable to me. In fact, it was McCain that appeared to be, literally, upset by having to share the stage with Obama during the whole debate. McCain wouldn't even look at Obama or address him directly. I actually got the feeling that McCain was there to campaign and Obama came to debate. McCain looked like he was still tied up in attack mode and Obama wanted to get his platform out to those who haven't been following the race very closely.

Personally I think McCain came out the stronger of the two in this debate.  Obama's attempts to tie McCain to the current administration seemed hollow, as if he was just saying it but didn't even believe it himself.  He also agreed with McCain a lot of times.  It almost seemed like almost every other point was an agreement with McCain (especially on Foreign Policy).  Lastly Obama wouldn't answer the question about what he would cut do to this 700 billion dollar bail out.  He completed evaded the question and instead answered with parts of his stump speech.  It came off as prepared remarks with no relevance to the question. 

McCain does a fine job of tieing himself to Bush policies. There is no need for Obama to spend his precious time talking about McCain. Obama needs to get his own message out, which is precisely what he did.

Obama never once agreed with a McCain point. What Obama did do was agree with McCain's assessment of a problem, then went into detail about how Obama policies will solve that problem.

At Least McCain stated he would implement a spending freeze and then proceed to cut the fat out of the government.  Obama responded with that "hatchet" remark but it honestly seemed defensive because Obama had no answer. 

There is no answer coming from either campaign about budget changes because there is no deal. McCain proposing a spending freeze is a knee jerk reaction, which is apparently how he responds to nearly everything. It's not an answer though.

I preferred Obama's statement. You can't give a definitive answer until the facts are in. Anything prior to that is speculating for speculation's sake. Obama is not in the habit of being presumptuous.

I would of loved to see McCain Hammer Obama on his remark about the 1960s and world opinion.  I can't believe Obama actually said he wanted to return to how our Country was loved in the 60s when in fact we were hated due to the Vietnam War.  That was a huge foot in mouth moment for me. 

Vietnam was a blemish on America's reputation. However, many great civil advances were made in the 60's and we gained a great deal of respect throughout the world for making progress in these areas. Not exactly "foot in mouth", just depends on how you view the world and which nations you are listening to.

I drew a picture. It's obviously stupid (some people find that kinda thing funny).. and my scanning editing skills suck but I didn't spend much time on it.

yep its pretty stupid. it looked better on paper and before I ran a photo filtre and stuff.

Originally posted by Ekibiogami

Originally posted by Thrakk

Obama catered to the independents more than McCain (that's what CNN said after the debate. There had a focus group monitoring positive and negative responses to what McCain and Obama were saying and the Independents favored Obama)

Since Independents are swing votes than Obama won the debate.
Biden's short interview after the debate was really strong as well.

Your kidding right? Obama is so far outa touch with people in the Middle its scarry. A few more of these and he will be in the tank.

And CNN? Thats almost as bad as me Quoteing Fox. Coulda been worse and youda said MSNBC...

Edit: Oh and this was on Fox. Looks Like McCain was right 9 times.. Lol Wonder what Obamas gana say abought this?

Yeah, I forgot to mention in my first post that I think if McCain beat Obama in any area it was in painting himself as the less extreme candidate.  It wasn't overt, it was more subtle.  Talking about how he worked across party lines and forged alliances with Democrats, and saying how Obama voted along with Democrats more than any other.  Whether or not it will help him, who knows?