Post-debate, Pre-Hurricane Blog

I thought Obama did well last night, but had to rate the debate a tie. But I think Obama wins in general on a tie. McCain had a terrible week - suspending his campaign, getting called out by both David Letterman and Haley Barbour, calling for the debate to be canceled, generally NOT looking presidential - so had to hit a homer last night. He didn't.

I'm kind of surprised by the reviews that focused on Obama's deference - or more to the point gentlemanliness - and McCain's snarkiness. I don't think either were that big a deal last night. But again, in the context of the week each candidate had - Obama reacting with cool and calm to the worsening financial news, and McCain acting confused and unfocused and in the end silly for flying to DC and sitting on his hands - I guess their demeanor is news. Last night's debate reenforced one of Obama's strengths - his practicality and levelheadedness - and one of McCain's biggest weaknesses - impetuousness and a lack of understanding on the economy.

I wonder if the tone and tenor of the debate in William Faulkner's home town will influence the vice presidential debate. Will Palin - who was very snarky and snide in her acceptance speech at the convention - tone it down against Biden? Or will she reenforce the case that she and McCain are simply rude and condescending and mean and etc.? It seems silly, but remember that Gore and Kerry were hurt by their condescending tone with Bush in their debates.

And will or CAN Biden - who I thought was confident and comfortable and cool last night spinning the debate - take pains to be as nice as Obama was, toning down his attack dog tendencies?

Heels at the U

Big road game for the Heels today at Miami. Would be a tough game regardless, but winning will be even tougher without injured quarterback T.J. Yates. Interesting to see if Butch Davis, on his return to Miami, goes with Paulus or Sexton. Paulus was a big recruit two years ago, but Saxton has started before.

Nats lose 100th game

The Nats dropped their 100th game last night in Philadelphia. The Nats had rallied a fews ago to sweep the Dodgers and take a series from the Phillies. But they followed that streak by getting swept by the last place Padres and are limping to the finish line.

Fans responded to the team more than the stadium as the Nats had the lowest attendance of any team playing in a new stadium, to go along with terrible television ratings.

And to make matters worse, the team stunk in a stadium that the city built for $600 million.

I think DC is still a good baseball town, and there is a good grassroots baseball infrastructure in town. But Stan Kasten overpriced too many seats, something you didn't think they would do while trying to build a solid fan base (especially with a team that Kasten and Bowden knew would stink). The cheap seats - $5 or $10 - almost always sold out, but the outfield seats - seats that cost around $15 to $20 in Baltimore but cost $25 to $30 in DC - usually did not. Ditto the empty seats behind home plate.

As the season limped to the end, Boswell wrote two very critical columns about the Lerners, Kasten and Bowden in the Post. Bottom line: the honeymoon for DC baseball is over. The Nats' brain trust needs to improve this team in the off season or risk weakening a fan base that has eroded despite having a brand new stadium.