By Andria Y. Carter
Online Editor

Slow and steady is the strategy that continues to work for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Despite the stepped up criticism by his Republican counterpart, Obama remains cool and even.

Obama didn’t have much work to do in this debate other than to continue to lay out his domestic and foreign policy. He was focused and knew his opponent well. John McCain did not.

Political pundits noted right away that John McCain had improved his performance and answered the questions better regarding domestic issues, but Obama continued to slap him back each time McCain attempted to show why this “young upstart” is not ready to be president.

As Obama and McCain traded barbs all night long the one thing that stood out the most is McCain is an old time campaigner and Obama is speaking to a new technological and global audience. McCain can’t keep up.

People are listening to what each candidate is saying. But they are also seeing and comparing the traditional campaigner to the “new guy.” McCain appeared old and confused and did not help his cause when he referred to Obama as “that one.” Meanwhile Obama remained steady and indestructible.

Did McCain have his Bob Dole moment? Is his campaign over because he can’t get it together? Will McCain’s vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin increase her attacks?
Who is to say, but they need to take a lesson from Obama.

Although the Nashville debate is now that anyone expected. Even I had great expectations for a nock down, drag out slug fest. Instead we go dull, boring with a great one line moment that will affect a candidate during his last days of the campaign.

Obama’s campaign has and remains successful because he has remained cool, rational and on point. From day one the attacks and scrutiny of Obama has been intense and the most ever endured by a candidate. Anyone associated with him have gone under similar scrutiny which many find shocking. But being a black man in America means you are held to a higher standard than most.

McCain’s attacks last night kept that steady drumbeat of distrust going, pounding out that fear factor twisting Obama’s plan attempting to show the “young upstart” knows nothing.

The “young upstart” proved last night he does know something and was able to put his elder colleague in his place while maintaining a steady and cool attitude.