General Election Debate Prognostication

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Obama is clearly the superior orator, but I think McCain might be smart enough to keep Obama on the defensive.

It's gonna be fun either way.

[elcorazon]

Obama is clearly the superior orator, but I think McCain might be smart enough to keep Obama on the defensive.

It's gonna be fun either way.

Obama's not that great of a debater.  He's too cerebral.  Needs time to get rolling.  McCain's kinda clunky though and tends to gaffe.  I'd give a slight edge to McCain if only because I think he'll be expected to lose due to Obama's lauded oratory skills, which are quite a different skill from debating or town hall meetings.

[Josh/Devilman88]

Obama, but not by much.

[Verily]

They're both mediocre debaters, so that point is sort of moot. I think the main difference will be the contrast in liveliness by having both of them together--and that obviously favors Obama.

Bear in mind that McCain has never even had to be at the center of a debate; in the primaries, he was ignored early on, and everyone was too busy ganging up on Romney to pay much attention to him at the end.

[TheresNoMoney]

Obama will destroy McCain. He porposely held back during the Democratic debates to not attack Hillary.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I think Obama, although McCain will do well, also.

[Jacobtm]

Obama is great when it's between him and an adoring crowd. When he's challenged, as in debates, he flounders and says "umm" alot.