Yesterday I watched the first presidential debate in the auditorium of the Casa America here in Madrid. The overflow crowd was majority American, but curious Spaniards and other Europeans were also on hand. Representatives from both campaigns manned merchandise tables and distributed information. Anyone who hadn't already registered to vote could do so at a non-partisan table. At fifteen past six the lights dimmed, voices hushed, and Jim Lehrer's sober introduction played out on a large projection screen.
From the responses the two candidates got (unlike those who saw the debate firsthand, we weren't prohibited from clapping), it was immediately clear that the crowd leaned heavily towards Obama. Personally I thought he acquitted himself very well. He came off as knowledgeable, sincere, and composed. Contrast that with McCain's condescension and tendency to appeal to his own character rather than the precise nature of his policies. His swerves into sentimentality and forced humor (for an example of terrible comic timing, see McCain's joke about bear research) seemed manufactured. The only time Obama made me wince was when he followed McCain's description of the bracelet a fallen soldier's mother had given him by firing back, essentially, "I have a bracelet too!" The brinksmanship could not have been more transparent.
After an hour or so the debate wore on the crowd. Both candidates lectured, refusing to address each other. My own attention wandered, and I love this stuff! The popular metaphor for debates is a boxing match; this one was more like a gentlemen's archery contest- competitors facing forward rather than towards each other, taking turns firing arrows at the vulnerable spots in the armor (skepticism) of voters. I hope that makes sense.
Anyway, following the debate the organizers of the event presented a round table discussion (in English), featuring two Republicans and two Democrats and moderated by the same guy who hosts the nationally-televised show "Tengo una pregunta para Ud." in which ordinary people get to ask a famous person, often a politician, questions. (It's really cool.) To my dismay the Republicans were much better spoken. They gave substantive and thoughtful answers whereas the Democrats repeated Obama/Biden slogans, to wild applause. I think when you know you're in enemy territory you raise your game.
The moderator had the panelists comment on a very surprising moment in the debate- a reference to Spain! Obama noted that McCain had recently refused to commit himself to meeting with the Spanish president upon ascending to the White House. That would be a continuation of the Bush administration's current diplomatic freeze-out of the socialists in power here (they pulled Spanish troops from Iraq after defeating the ruling conservative government run by Bush-buddy Jose Maria Aznar). Obama's take was, "It appears that Senator McCain has forgotten that Spain is our NATO Ally." At that the room erupted in cheers.
Obama is so popular in Europe because he understands that contemporary problems require international cooperation. Electing him will instantly improve our standing in the world. From the discussions I've had it's clear that people actually want to embrace America- they just need us to repudiate the last 8 years first.
PS. Some 9/11 truth nuts passed out pamphlets outside the building. When I saw three college-aged girls tentatively nodding and accepting the material, I couldn't help but say something:
[Shaking my head] "Don't take those. It's nothing more than a sick fantasy."
And it is. What repugnant people.
