Top 5 Reasons McCain Beat Obama in Last Debate

PHOTO: McCain Made Key Points Against Obama

I was honored to attend the third and final Presidential debate at Hofstra University and wrote this blog on site.

Top 5 Reasons McCain Beat Obama from the Reputation Doctor:

1. Joe the Plumber!
McCain finally understood that personal stories work. Joe the Plumber trumps Joe Six Pack! Everyone can relate to Joe the Plumber and everyone wants him to do well as a small business owner. McCain tied Obama’s economic program to increasing Joe the Plumber’s taxes and sharing his wealth and Obama labeling him a rich man as a plumber grossing $250,000. It helped McCain and it is a personal story we all will remember. A big point for McCain and it made Joe the Plumber a new star. Look for him to comment as soon as tomorrow.

2. “Senator Obama, I am not President Bush! If you wanted to run against him, you should have run 4 years ago!”
McCain, the maverick, made it clear with this and other answers during the debate that he is not President Bush and he has never been President Bush. I think the comment was a great zinger, second only to the Joe the plumber story, but McCain has to continue to separate himself from Bush’s policies during the next few weeks. It was a great first punch, but he has 20 more rounds to go before election day to win!

3. TONE: McCain was on offense as Obama was on defense.
Like the former fighter pilot he is, Senator McCain dropped a few bombs that had impact on Senator Obama during the third and final debate. McCain hit hard at Obama’s economic plan to label Obama several times as a tax and spend liberal who will definitely raise taxes. McCain translated Obama’s slick responses live and quickly on the debate set. Obama has a gift for gab, but when properly peeled back many see him now as slick as a former President who had the nickname Slick Willy.

4. Obama’s policy wonk comments didn’t work tonight as he tried again to make everyone happy.
McCain took a stand and showed America he is for smaller government versus Obama’s larger government. Obama was flustered several times and McCain forced Obama to admit a few holes in his policies from abortion to education and speaking the same talking points. Bottom line: many Americans still have big doubts about Obama, but he is still the leader in the current campaign. McCain won the night, but Obama is still leading the battle.

5. Pointing out doubt works.
It makes some very angry, but negative campaign messages work. You don’t always have to point out your own positives. You win also by pointing out the opponent can’t be trusted, is not always honest and doesn’t always take a stand. Look for McCain’s team to have some momentum coming out of this last debate. However, Obama will be tough to hold back the next 3 weeks. Obama is out spending McCain 3 to 1. However, McCain is still in striking distance and not out of the race yet. McCain likes to come from behind. Well, he has to be absolutely perfect the next 3 weeks to win in November. Obama must also take a bit of a fall for McCain to win. This election is still neck and neck. Polls and surveys are only a snapshot in time. What matters is what people think of November 4th and many are still undecided and independent. Many still not sure are white women in the suburbs. Hold on. We have a lot more to come!

Remember, do the right thing when your reputation is in crisis and seek the counsel of an experienced reputation management expert. It will be a major challenge, but ultimately the rewards of repairing your reputation will be great. Why? Because Your Reputation Is Everything!™

debate, election 2008, Joe the plumber, mccain, obama

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