Dartblog

A line from John McCain, on the subject of Pakistan. I was just about to write that this is the single most depressing political event I have ever witnessed—that these two men are as fools, aping their caricatures with absurd tested phrases and crude, insulting psychological links (like Obama’s “tax cuts for oil companies”). But this little phrase at least gave me a laugh.

MOMENTS LATER, at 10:05: The debate has now turned to its proper subject, foreign policy. John McCain is suddenly competent, and the haze of lovely generalities from Obama (at one point, half an hour ago, Barack Obama answered a question about distended short-term credit markets by endorsing government kindergarten for children) has been blown back, at least for a bit. But still am all forlorn.

AT 10:15: John McCain defending Henry Kissinger, talking about the Cold War. Brilliant, brilliant! Senator McCain has so very much to work with against his green opponent: his experience, his deep friendship and knowledge of the great men of living history, his meaty record; and Obama’s weakness, his superficiality, his all-talk campaign. John McCain’s trouble is that he only gives his (usually reasonable) position; he never notes the weakness of his opponent’s position. To wit, Georgia and Russia. Barack Obama’s instincts were not just wrong: they were vile; they were to take the twisted line of agitprop directly from Moscow and to parrot it back to America; but John McCain doesn’t mention that at all. A pity.

AT 10:37: Well then. I predict John McCain secures the veteran vote. Thank you, Jim Lehrer.