What was the body language score of the first debate?  Both senators are strong, confident speakers and acquitted themselves well.  Both landed a couple of body blows to the other candidate.  There were no major gaffes or disastrous moments.  Overall, the nod goes to Senator Obama, for a few reasons. 

Senator Obama looked at his rival when he took him on.  And when he wasn’t looking at McCain, he was looking into the camera, talking to America.

Senator McCain, on the other hand, looked like the cranky half of a dysfunctional marriage, the cross one who won’t look you in the eye.  He looked neither at Obama nor at the camera.  And he had a sarcastic smile that kept showing up when he said (at least seven times), “What Senator Obama doesn’t understand is…..”  After a while, that backfired as a technique, because it seemed patronizing rather than persuasive. 

Obama looked like the more generous candidate, because he said, “John is absolutely right when he says…..”  about seven times.  That’s the hallmark of someone more likely to bring others into agreement.  Hasn’t the country been looking for someone who will bring the country together rather than continue the partisan divide?  McCain, on the other hand, gave Obama no credit for anything.  Even though the two broadly agreed on the bailout, for example.

Debates are about expectations first, and what’s actually demonstrated during the 90 minutes second.  Both sides played the expectations game well.  Obama was clear enough; he didn’t get lost in the nuances.  And McCain was roughly as ‘straight talking’ as we expected. 

Going forward, Obama will have the series lead, and that’s always dangerous.  He has to guard against getting too comfortable and diving into the weeds for a nuance festival, to mix a metaphor.    McCain can come from behind by being more generous and less like a cranky grandpa.  It would be disastrous for him to lose his temper, or to keep repeating the “He just doesn’t understand” line. 

So far, partisans on both sides can take what they want from the first debate.  According to the polls, the undecided voters gave Obama the victory by a modest plurality.  But it’s still anyone’s game.