I have been thinking about what McCain could do to change the game going into the last debate. I think he needs to do two things. I think he needs to try and get people to look past Obama's flowery rhetoric. Secondly, he needs to define the issues of the debate. He can no longer afford to let the moderators, who are in the tank for Obama, control the message. I think the best way to do it is attack both areas with a bold opening statement.
Below is what I would say Wednesday night in my opening remarks if I were McCain.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to thank you for tuning in for tonight's debate between myself and Sen Obama. Tonight you are in for a treat. Sen Obama is one of the greatest political orators ever to run for president. The way he strings words together can at times be magical. I have a favor to ask those of you watching tonight. I want you to look past his pretty words and examine the details of what he proposes. I want you to look past the soaring prose and look at his actions.
He is going to tell you that he will cut taxes on 95% of the people. This is not true. Even the Wall Street Journal calls it an illusion. In reality, Obama and his Democratic allies in Congress are going to raise taxes on everyone. They want to raise the capital gains tax. They want to raise the death tax. They want to raise the taxes on business. If you want to see how Obama will govern, look at the record of Democratic leadership in congress. Why? Because Obama has voted with them 98% of the time.
He is going to tell you that everyone will get health care. That isn't possible unless you socialize the world's greatest health care system. A step that will bring one of our greatest institutions to its knees. Just look back 16 years ago, when Democrats controlled the White House and the Congress. They tried socializing health care then. Obama and his Democratic allies in the Congress will try to do it again.
He is going to tell you that he wants abortions to be rare, but he voted in Illinois to support infanticide. He is going to tell you he believes in your Second Amendment rights, but he voted in Illinois to have those rights taken away. He will tell you he will bring reform to Washington, but when he had the chance to reform the corrupt politics of Chicago, he was no where to be found.
He is going to paint a picture of doom of our economy. That our best days are behind us. And he will tell you how only he can fix it with new government programs. I can tell you from personal experience that the Democrats in congress will be chomping at the bit for the opportunity. But it is government programs like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and ACORN that have caused our current economic crisis. More government programs will only prolong our economic downturn. Not usher in a new era of prosperity.
My opponent will use flowery words to try to persuade you that the Democrats will make your life better. I again ask you to look past the pleasing talk of my opponent and study his actions and who he has teamed with in the U.S. Senate. It is a record of abject liberalism. A record that suggests a course that would take us from prosperity to economic ruin. From a shining city on top of the hill to just another city.
I can not match my oponent's exquisite rhetoric. I can not offer such rhetorical skills. But what I can offer is the power of my actions. I have a record of standing up against new taxes. I have a record for finding free market solutions to help people obtain affordable health care. I have a record of standing up for life. I have a record of standing up for the second amendment. I have a record of reform. I have a record of crossing the isle to work with others. I have a record for standing up for free and open markets. I have a record of doing what is hard and not politically expedient. I have a record of working for this country. So we can continue be the greatest country in the world.
So as you watch tonight please look past the words and look at the deeds. For it is in our deeds where you will see the meaningful differences between us.
I think such an attack would be brilliant for two reasons. First it sets the bar high for Obama's rhetoric. It will negate his only true skill. The ability to say nothing using pretty words. Plus it will put people on their guard for such empty rhetoric.
Secondly, it moves the debate to issues where McCain is stronger. Such an opening statement highlights the fact that he is the only candidate with a record and introduces topics that are good for him but have been ignored by the media. McCain can frame on what ground the debate will be held from the beginning.
Lastly, such a bold attack could easily ruffle Obama's feathers. He has shown before to have a thin skin. Such an attack at the beginning could unbalance him and cause him to make some game changing gaffes. What do you think?
