Robert Parry: Is John McCain Losing It?

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2008/101608.html

Is John McCain Losing It?

By Robert Parry
October 16, 2008


One danger of a political campaign is not just losing an election, but losing one’s dignity, becoming a laughingstock or a caricature. After three flailing debate performances – including Wednesday night’s twitchy anger – that is a danger now confronting John McCain.

Despite Barack Obama’s limited experience, it is McCain who is coming across as the unelectable one. Not only is McCain short of ideas that come anywhere close to matching the magnitude of the nation’s problems, but his petulant-old-man demeanor isn’t what many Americans want to invite into their living rooms over the next four challenging years.

McCain also appears to lack a sense of balance or even reality, such as when he insisted that he was the true victim of negative attacks – and, in essence, telling Americans they shouldn’t believe their lying eyes.

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His first debate is now remembered for his refusal to look at Obama; the second was notable for McCain’s wandering around the stage and calling his opponent “that one”; and the third may be recalled for McCain putting his face through contortions of disdain for his rival and ending up looking a bit like silent movie actor Lon Chaney.

Meanwhile, Obama – though not doing much to distinguish himself in Wednesday's debate – maintained an unflappable cool, swatting away the personal attacks with concise responses that made McCain’s attacks sound like right-wing conspiracy theories.

Yet possibly worse for McCain, his final, shaky debate performance came at a time when a shaken nation was looking for a steady, vibrant leader who could address today’s challenges and formulate a coherent vision for the future.

In failing to do that – and instead presenting himself as a cranky old man consumed with anger – McCain may have done more to seal the deal for Obama than Obama did for himself.

in the engine of a Model A. You'd go REAL fast for a few seconds.

:rofl: