Why Senator Obama Isn't Winning

Okay, Okay. I just relaunched this blog and already I'm talking politics instead of cool behind the scenes TV gabulation. Sorry. After seeing last night's debate someone had to say something.

Ahh Senator Obama, I expected so much from you. Perhaps too much. You see, I hadn't decided who to support in this presidential campaign (and as a journalist I probably won't ever support anyone publicly) but I'd be lying if I didn't say I had a soft spot for the smart Black Senator from Illinois, who promised to bring a different spirit to Washington.
But last night Senator Obama, I realized why Hillary Clinton is still kicking your butt in the polls. In trying so hard to be post-partisan, you're coming off kinda mushy. In other words, you need a shot of 'Straight Talk Espresso.'

For example, when the one Youtube denizen asked the question about whether any of the candidates were prepared to lift the ceiling on Social Security taxes from the current $97,500, here's what you said:

Obama: I think that it is an important option on the table, but the key, in addition to making sure that we don't privatize, because Social Security is that floor beneath none of us can sink.
And we've got to make sure that we preserve Social Security is to do the same thing that Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill were able to do back in 1983......blah blah blah......bipartisan.....solution....social secuirty....firm footing.........

In other words, your answer degenerated into a talking point which really said....I don't want to actually commit to anything too specific, because you'll beat me over the head with it later.

That's not crazy, and its about what most of the others said, but it didn't set you apart from them either.

And then when another Youtuber brought up the question about whether our troops are dying in vain in Iraq, host Anderson Cooper had to press you to get a straight answer.

COOPER: To the question of, did the troops -- are the troops dying in vain, though: Yes or no?

OBAMA: I never think that troops, like those who are coming out of The Citadel, who do their mission for their country, are dying in vain. But what I do think is that the civilian leadership and the commander in chief has a responsibility to make sure that they have the plans that are going to allow our troops to succeed in their mission.

Again, its not a bad answer, but the truth is that's a trick question. Why not say so as in... "That's a bit of a trick question, because if I say 'yes' it sounds like I'm insulting the sacrifice of those brave men and women, and I would never do that. But what I would say is that they shouldn't be dead at all because this war shouldn't have been fought and was poorly executed.'

I know from experience its a lot easier to sit back in your living room and come up with the right answers with nothing on the line and no pressure. But that's what they have debate practice for. And its also what the great ones do: accomplish the difficult while making it look easy. Judging from last night Senator, you're very good. But to get elected President, I think you're going to have to be great.