That One

The surest sign that the second presidential debate was a real snooze: "That one."

Actually, both Barack Obama and John McCain said "that one" once during the debate.

OBAMA: But I think it's important to understand, we're not going to solve Social Security and Medicare unless we understand the rest of our tax policies. And you know, Sen. McCain, I think the "Straight Talk Express" lost a wheel on that one.

McCAIN: By the way, my friends, I know you grow a little weary with this back-and-forth. It was an energy bill on the floor of the Senate loaded down with goodies, billions for the oil companies, and it was sponsored by Bush and Cheney.

You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one. You know who voted against it? Me. I have fought time after time against these pork barrel -- these bills that come to the floor and they have all kinds of goodies and all kinds of things in them for everybody and they buy off the votes.

Obama's "that one" wasn't worthy of analysis. His comment that "the Straight Talk Express lost a wheel on that one" was a canned line.

McCain's "that one" has drawn a great deal of attention. It's already been the subject of much debate and analysis.

The economy is crumbling. We're involved in two wars. Iran continues to threaten Israel and us by threatening to become a nuclear power.

And what's the main topic of discussion from the debate? McCain's "that one."

Video of the earth-shaking "that one" here.

From the Huffington Post:

During a discussion about energy, McCain punctuates a contrast with Obama by referring to him as "that one," while once again not looking in his opponent's direction (merely jabbing a finger across his chest). That's not going to win McCain any Miss Congeniality points. Nor will it reassure any voters who believe McCain is improperly trying to capitalize on Obama's "otherness."

That is a stretch.

Why say "otherness"? Why not just come out and say that McCain is trying to appeal to racists, or that McCain himself is a racist?

The Dems and their lib media mouthpieces continue to play the race card. It's the strategy du jour.

The Dems want you to believe McCain's "that one" is code for "Hey, Obama's a black guy and we can't let a black guy become president."

That, of course, is ridiculous.

The Lefty websites have jumped on "that one."

Even Wolf Blitzer pointing out that McCain could not mask his disdain for Senator Obama. Must be his bipartisan nature shining through. Not.

CBS takes issue with "that one," too.

Barack Obama's campaign has seized John McCain’s “that one” comment at the debate tonight, and are now using it to argue that McCain was uncomfortable and that he looked angry.

“It reminds you that McCain is sort of angry and agitated. He looked uncomfortable,” Robert Gibbs said in the spin room, “I guess the pillow seat wasn’t soft enough. He stood and walked around.”

...Both David Axelrod and David Plouffe agreed that the comment was “odd.” “Last time we had the debate, Senator McCain didn’t want to look at Senator Obama and he made this reference today,” Axelrod said, “He seems a little bit irascible, a little bit peevish.”

McCain advisor, Nicole Wallace dismissed the accusations, suggesting that the charges finicky. “I’m shocked that at a moment of national crisis, where our economy is on the minds of every single person, I am shocked that they are again proving to be the fussiest campaign in American history.”

Republican aides are calling the “that one” comment a memorable line and expect to start using it more in the coming days.

I did not think that McCain looked angry. To the contrary, I thought Obama did.

When he didn't have his nose in the air, Obama was smirking. He didn't smile when he spoke.

McCain cracked a few jokes. I don't recall Obama doing the same.

No, McCain wasn't angry. And Obama wasn't exactly spending a lot of time looking into McCain's eyes.

I didn't detect frustration or any sort of irritability from McCain. He did not look agitated. That's just spin from Axelrod and Plouffe.

I like the way McCain advisor, Nicole Wallace, puts it: "...they are again proving to be the fussiest campaign in American history."

I'm no historian, but the Obama campaign is awfully fussy and Obama is very thin-skinned.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel picks up on "that one" as well.

Two words sure to be chewed over by pundits: At one point, in discussing tax cuts, McCain referred to Obama as "that one." In the first debate, McCain's refusal to look at Obama drew much post-debate commentary.

Here too, "that one" is interpreted a reflection of the angry old man McCain's lack of respect for Obama.

Silly.

So what did we learn from last night's debate?

1. "That one" equals "otherness" equals "racism."

2. "That one" is a two-word temper tantrum.

Who knew?