Had to laugh when I read that the McCain campaign rushed out a little ad right after last night's debate ended with *I approved this message-McCain" standing still on the stage and quite unable to have actually approved the message (but since when does McCain care about his campaign lying?). The ad took some bits of Obama agreeing with McCain about some things McCain had said.

Well, of COURSE. That's what you DO in a debate. That's what you do in LIFE. It's pretty ridiculous to assume that every single person you meet who has a different opinion is going to disagree with you on 100 percent of what you believe. There are ALWAYS places in which you can agree. You tell me that Congress, when they are trying to come to some sort of compromise on a bill, doesn't have its members look for the points not only where they don't agree but WHERE THEY DO.

And it's a matter of respect for the other person's position(s). I see nothing wrong with saying where you agree with someone, IF THAT IS ALSO YOUR POSITION, and then taking off in the direction that shows where you disagree, with points that clearly show the divergence.  Ever heard the phrase *I'm sure my opponent would agree*? before going off into a specific point that you don't agree with him or her about?

I much prefer someone who finds the commonality with another view, especially when that person is telling the truth as he or she sees it, and then expounds on what is different and, in that view, and expresses it. The ad McCain put out said nothing tangible and was an insult to Obama.

P.S. Here's from a list of things to do in a debate. Obama was a great debater. McCain... not so much.

By looking at each side of an argument before making any assumption, you will look more knowledgeable and you will appear to have thought about the situation before choosing a side. If you can admit that the opponent has some good points, then you look humble and honest, and you look intelligent.