EXCITING DEBATE

Last night's second presidential debate had me on pins and needles.  My first tweet captured the stress.  "Just tuning in! Didn't know if I could take (it).  Hate WAR! And it was looking vicious!"  

Their energetic, finger pointing, almost stepping on toes exchange has me appreciating this brief hiatus before Monday's third debate.  Truthfully, I wouldn't be  disappointed if it's cancelled.  

I’ve had enough drama, enough in your face action aiming to prove who's best qualified to be our President and collaborate effectively with world leaders.  I'm thinking I've heard enough. What else is there to know about former Governor Romney and incumbent President Obama?  The information shared is repetitive.  My thoughts are it’s all been said before – many times.

I was puzzled after the first debate.  Both candidates seemed unreal. Romney exhibited an energy level I had never seen.  But I was most concerned about his opponent.  “Why did the well-informed, passionate, always invested President Obama apparently disengage – almost superficially debate his opponent?”  

The answer I determined and absolutely understand?   That debate was held when President Obama simply had to give priority attention to his presidential duties.  To ignore or delegate was not on the table.  Therefore, our President approached the 90 minute obligation with a plan.  He would be present, listen, consider the point and offer his perspective just as he has done on the campaign circuit these many months.    I'm thinking, ultra critical White House concerns at the time were uppermost on his mind.   (Click on and read my October 6th blog post, “The Debate vs. Minding the Store”).   

Debate performances are learning experiences as they do vary – the delivery (body language/tone) of each combatant’s position on issues  differs from one event to the other.  Another point is their linking vignettes, perhaps off-the-cuff observations can invite new insight into the speaker’s true self.  (Romney including single motherhood in the gun control discussion was my memorable head shaking moment last night.  “What?”) 

Unfortunately, for me, a pessimist in many ways, rather than optimizing the learning opportunity of each debate, watching is like watching a train wreck.  I anticipate the agony of residual disaster – someone making a strategic mistake.   "Please don’t let it be my candidate."  After all, in any contest, the reason for one persons jubilation is the cause for the others misery.   Immediately though, when Mr. Romney, made his case, invoking single motherhood and gun caused tragedies as contextual factors, I gained new information.  It was about the man’s judgmental standards, which I was unaware of before that debate.

And, the debates may encourage more citizens to become involved in the election process; to get out and vote.  If so, that is the greatest thing.  It's reason enough to continue inviting everyone throughout America to be engaged in learning about the candidates via radio and televised debates.  What are your thoughts?

Learning does happen so debate number three shouldn't be cancelled.  In fact, I'll watch their final debate this Monday, October 22^nd.   I’ll tolerate any anxiety I might suffer and be open to gathering new information.   Of course, I plan to Vote on November 6th.  I hope you'll Vote also.  It is important that we all Vote.