David Gergen: "the candidate who can connect emotionally to Middle America will have the advantage"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Looks like Gergen "hearts" Grampy McBush's "powerful story that's emotionally connected to the audience..."

Analysis: Same tough questions, different approaches

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/17/forum/index.html

LAKE FOREST, California (CNN) -- From their views on abortion to their greatest moral failings, Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain used much different styles to tackle the same tough questions at Saturday night's forum on faith.

Obama struck a conversational tone and directed his answers toward moderator Rick Warren.

McCain gave straightforward responses, taking a more personal approach as he directed his answers toward the audience and viewers at home.

David Gergen, a senior political analyst for CNN, said he thought both candidates handled themselves well, but he was particularly impressed with McCain's performance.

"Along comes McCain, who not only has -- he doesn't like to talk about his religion very much. And then he talks about it openly. But he has a very powerful story that's emotionally connected to the audience," he said.

"It's the candidate who can connect emotionally to Middle America who will have the big advantage going down the stretch."



John McCain, Rick Warren and Barack Obama take the stage together at the forum on faith.

[yardwork]

1. Gergen is a hack. All these talking heads are paid to promote the Republicans.

McCaint could have eaten a live chicken on stage and the talking heads would say it showed that he connected with his audience.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

3. Gergen is not a hack. He generally is a pretty straight shooter, and he's right about this.

Let me take you back to 1992, when our last dem president won by "feeling your pain"....

[yardwork]

8. Gergen is a hack, and it sounds like McSame store the POW story from Solzhenitsyn

and/or Charlton Heston in Ben-Hur. Not a very Christian move.

[anonymous171]

2. POW will become the new 9/11 and he will be mocked for it.

I hope someone funds a 527 that will directly attack McCain's service. That would be awesome.

[Captain Hilts]

4. The photograph: three men in dark suits and light shirts. What's progressive about that? nt

[salonghorn70]

5. Gergen Is Correct

Connecting on an emotional level with voters will be the deciding factor. Obama's campaign knows that. We are seeing fewer speeches before large crowds and more town meetings. The debates will be very important. If one candidate has a decided advantage in connecting emotionally with voters during the debates, then that candidate will most likely win.

[MGKrebs]

6. That Gergen. He is really astute.

And I thought this race was going to be about which candidate could be the most boring intellectual.

Sheesh. CNN should get their money back.

[JackORoses]

7. Gergen sounds like his tongue is swollen when he bloviates

[FrenchieCat]

9. Gergen didn't realize that John McCain plagiarized that story

I guess.