Tomorrow night is the second Presidential Debate, and it’s monitored by Tom Brokaw. I’m more than a little concerned about Brokaw’s politics interfering with this. I do believe he has a friendship and vested interest in McCain’s campaign, but he also has 20+ years of professionalism under his belt. I don’t expect a Charles Gibson/George Snuffleupagus hit job like in Pennsylvania early in the year, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Ayers makes an appearance, without a corresponding mention of Charlies Keating.

But as we’ve become quickly enraptured in the smear fest campaign beginning, let’s not forget who isn’t in the discussion right now. John McCain himself. It’s been noted that John McCain hasn’t done much weekend campaigning, presumably because his age prevents him from doing so. But I think this weekend, while Palin was finally allowed off the leash to keep the McCain campaign relevant, John McCain has been working on his image for this second debate.

There’s no doubt that John McCain realizes the damage done by the first debate. It legitimized his opponent, and allowed him to overcome his last remaining hurdle. It painted McCain as belligerent, intolerant, and petty. His grimaces and eye rolls were his “Gore sighing” moment. And just like the Al Gore sigh constrained Gore’s actions in subsequent debates, McCain’s first performance will dictate this next one.

I expect to see a gregarious, grandpa McCain Tuesday night. They’ll be lots of “my friends,” and “middle class,” and “we are struggling,” and “Obama is a black foreigner.” Yeah, slipped that in on you. I just don’t think McCain is capable of respecting Barack Obama, and I think in face to face situations, his seething rage will surface. McCain has a temper, and as much work as he’ll invariably have put in on containing that temper, it won’t work at the debate. He’ll still look like a man with bottled up rage.

But, again, he could pull it off. He could come out and be the Reagan you always wanted back. The media coverage of this debate is surely allowing for that kind of surprise to sneak through. So that’s what I’ll be watching for. Save any “macaca” moments on either side, this second debate is going to be even more about character than issues. The big question, for me, is how far the other way McCain tries to swing, and how transparent his attempt appears.

As for Obama? I’ve stopped trying to predict his next move. I’m just confident it will be the correct one.

Article Permalink