Halperin gives Obama A-, McCain B-

[Youphemism]

Mark Halperin has never been in the tank for Obama -- but you wouldn't know it to read his debate comments. He says glowing things about Obama. I'll just paste the slamming of McCain here, because that's the fun part.

Full Article: http://thepage.time.com/mark-halperins-grades-for-the-first-presidential-debate/



McCain's Performance
--------------------

Substance: His arguments were hard to follow at the beginning, but he found his voice as the debate progressed, although he never seemed fully in control of his message… If he truly knows more about the world than Obama, he didn’t show it in this debate.

Grade: B-

Style: Cluttered, jumpy, and often muddled. Keenly aware of the grand, grave occasion, McCain wavered between respectful and domineering, and ended up awkward and edgy.

Grade: C-

Offense: While mocking his opponent on a few occasions, which reflected his acute disrespect for Obama, he did so in an insufficiently sharp and detailed manner — and unevenly worked elements of his rival’s record into his attacks.

Grade: C+

Defense: He managed to ignore most of Obama’s jibes, but was eventually baited into giving an extended answer about his policy differences with President Bush.

Grade: B-

Overall: Failed to deliver his “country first versus Obama first” message cleanly, even when offered several opportunities.

Grade: B-

[Motown_Johnny]

1. how does a B-, a C-, a C+ and a B- average out to an overall B-?

this looks like a C/C+ range to me

[11 Bravo]

2. I was a teacher for 32 years, and still substitute teach to this day.

Trust, me, those grades don't average out to a B-.

[Youphemism]

3. I noticed that, too. I think he softened it because he was out of the mainstream...

Most of the reviews I've heard give Obama a mild edge, but not an overwhelming victory -- except in the sense that he completely met McCain on his home turf and came out looking good.

I get the impression Halperin thought McCain totally sucked. Maybe the scornful disrespect and condescension turned him off. But Halperin reads and links to everything. I'm betting he modified the overall score after the article was all written up, and after reading a few early debate reviews from other pundits.

[chiefofclarinet]

4. Unless the "Substance" grade is weighted heavily, I don't see it either