Obama: A Great Debater
I've often thought that Barack Obama may be a better debate coach than a debater. In this space I even questioned his debate preparation.
I turned out to be wrong. He is both a great coach and a great debater.
If you've watched the 20 democratic debates, you've seen the maturation of Barack Obama from a relative novice to a "great debater." He's figured out what few ever do - and that is the best strategic and tactical position is to speak in the language of the judge and judge the debate as you go along. In a 2005 article in the Debater's Research Guide, I argued that debaters should learn to speak in the language of the judge. Obama did that tonight and more. Over the past two month's he's been framing himself as the best debater and that's worked well for him.
