Debate prelude: 6 moments that mattered

By Mike Allen and Jim Vandehei - Politico
Monday, August 18, 2008 - Web Link
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August 18, 2008

The two presidential candidates began getting their games together over the weekend in back-to-back appearances at a two-hour California forum on faith that served as a prelude to the three debates that begin Sept. 26.

By coin flip, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) went first. He was calm and reassuring but revealed a vulnerability by being vague on some issues that were crucial to the audience of 5,000 gathered at Pastor Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church in Orange County. Obama was smooth and confident, but he did not own the night.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was blunt and showed electricity that contrasted with his lethargy at some GOP primary debates. He successfully recycled anecdotes from his many town halls but exposed his own weakness — a blithe carelessness than can give ammo to the other side.

Six moments that will echo in the campaign ahead:

1) McCain jokingly defines “rich” as an income of $5 million, giving instant fodder for a Democratic commercial.

WARREN: OK, on taxes, define ‘rich.’ Everybody talks about taxing the rich … . Give me a number, give me a specific number — where do you move from middle class to rich? Is it $100,000, is it $50,000, is it $200,000?”

MCCAIN: I don't want to take any money from the rich — I want everybody to get rich. (LAUGHTER) … I don't believe in class warfare or redistribution of the wealth. … So, I think if you are just talking about income, how about $5 million? (LAUGHTER) But seriously, I don't think you can — I don't think seriously that — the point is that I'm trying to make here, seriously — and I'm sure that comment will be distorted — but the point is that we want to keep people's taxes low and increase revenues.”