Poll Question: Who Won The First Debate

Overall I thought McCain won on points… Although it was closer than it should have been. McCain clearly won on foreign policy but on the economy it was at best a draw.

McCain needs to drop the populist rhetoric and stand up for conservative economic principles… In particular he needs to hit Obama on his ignorance of supply-side theory and explain how his tax cuts will, in the long term, promote economic growth and increase revenue to the treasury.

On the credit crisis he needs to make the point, repeatedly, that the Bush Administration proposed legislation in 2003 to rein in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and Democrats blocked it… He also needs to remind voters that he cosponsored the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act along with Chuck Hagel, John Sununu, and Elizabeth Dole that would have tightened oversight of Fannie & Freddie and Democrats blocked it!

He should also hit the Federal Reserve Board and the Bush Administration on monetary policy.

On the stylistic side he needs to make eye contact with Barack Obama in future debates… That’s one thing really bugged me to last night. McCain’s refusal to look at Senator Obama made him look stiff and dismissive of the Senator.