Drama often has three scenes: The introduction of characters, a conflict reaching a turning point, and a resolution. Funny enough, this first of three presidential debates will introduce Sen. Barack Obama–and to some extent Sen. John McCain–to much of America.
The polls have started to become alive in the last few weeks, indicating that non-political junkies are starting to pay attention, and for many of them tonight will be their official introduction to the ‘08 presidential race.
For junkies, it’s hard to believe that we we’ve been anticipating this moment for so long, and almost lost it as McCain set himself up for failure by stating he wouldn’t debate until the financial bailout was resolved.
With the bailout looking as precarious as ever, McCain has caved to common sense (difficult for many Republicans), and has flown to Mississippi to debate the Junior Senator from Illinios.
So now with the stage set, the estimated 80+ million Americans tuned in, and the drama artificially heightened by McCain, the introduction of the protagonists begins.
Wet your whistle with past Debate Firsts, and enjoy these McCain-Obama Debate Firsts (first of three):
First to appear on stage: Sen. John McCain (from CNN camera angle)
First to be posed a question: Sen. Obama, on the economy
First strange part of the stage: Illegible cursive words behind Obama
First to mention President Bush: Obama (linking him to McCain)
First to look into the camera while answering a question: Obama
First to mention Sen. Kennedy being in the hospital: McCain
First to say he hasn’t been feeling so great lately: McCain
First to wear tie that looks like a barber shop swirl: McCain
First to look at the moderator while answering a question: McCain
First to mention offshore drilling: McCain
First to say he warned America about the impending economic crisis: Obama
First to say he would vote for the bailout (even without reading the language): McCain
First to talk about the root of the economic crisis: Obama
First to quote the other candidate: Obama (”The fundamentals of the economy are strong”)
First to make the audience laugh: Obama (turning to McCain at the behest of the moderator to address McCain directly)
First to be asked to direct his comments to the other candidate and refusing to do so: McCain
First to expound upon useless platitudes of American ingenuity: McCain
First to mention “pork barrel spending”: Guess who
First to try to make a joke (about bears) and failing: McCain
First to use a prop: McCain (using a ‘Sharpie’ pen to make a point)
First to mention a website: McCain
First to mention that his tax plan could help Americans “buy a computer for his kid”: Obama
First to say he is called the “Sheriff”: McCain
First to mention a coin of currency: Obama (dime)
First to be asked to respond directly to the other candidate twice in a row and refusing to do so: McCain
First to point his finger at his podium: McCain
First to stutter: Obama
First to say 95% of Americans will get a tax cut: Obama
First to call the other candidate by his first name: Obama
First to say the other candidate will begin taxing your health care: Obama
First to ask a rhetorical question: McCain
First to say something the other candidate said was “just untrue”: Obama (he was right, too)
First to interrupt the other candidate: McCain
First to list a series of initiatives he wants to see happen: Obama
First to wrinkle his brow: McCain
First to laugh at the other candidate’s one-liner: Obama
First to mention a “little ship”: McCain
First to lick his lips: McCain
First to address the moderator by his first name: Obama
First to say the other candidate is right: Obama (he’s done it four times now)
First to mention Google: Obama
First candidate to be interrupted by the moderator: McCain
First to mention veterans: McCain
First to say “you’re using a hatchet when you need to be using a scalpel”: Obama
First to mention Iraq: Obama
First to mention Sen. Hillary Clinton: McCain
First to take the lead three times in a row when the moderator asks a question to both candidates: Obama
First to mention “values”: Obama
First candidate to avoid looking at the other candidate for 40 minutes: McCain
