McCain vs. Obama offers contrast in style

By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent - Analysis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The debates between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama promise a sharp contrast in styles, with the blunt McCain dueling the sometimes detached Obama in showdowns that could play a big role in a tight White House race.

The match-up of virtual opposites in appearance and personality offers more than the usual drama in the first of their three presidential debates on Friday.

McCain has been a sturdy if unspectacular debater over a 26-year career in Congress, quick with a quip for friendly crowds or in relaxed settings but sometimes uncomfortable and short-tempered in more rigid formats -- particularly when provoked by an opponent.

Obama struggled in some debates during the lengthy Democratic nominating battle, when his penchant for uplifting rhetoric on the campaign trail gave way to diffident and sometimes flat performances.

His nuanced style at times made him appear halting, and his sharpest responses made him sound condescending.

"They have a real contrast in styles. Obama tends to give a more cerebral, reflective response while McCain gives a gut-level, immediate response," said Mitchell McKinney, a political communications expert at the University of Missouri.

"For the television viewer, that approach from Obama might seem like uncertainty, while McCain can be a little easier to relate to sometimes," he said.

McCain is at his best in a town hall format, where he takes questions, cracks jokes and talks directly to a friendly crowd. In a more controlled environment like debates he can get exasperated and has no problem showing his disdain for certain rivals -- most notably Mitt Romney during the Republican primary debates.

Obama is more polished but sometimes sounds like the constitutional law professor he once was, pondering an issue and exploring every angle.

"McCain is more willing to play to the crowd and Obama takes every question as an intellectual exercise. Rather than respond to the audience, he responds to the question," said Alan Schroeder of Northeastern University in Boston, who has written a history of presidential debates.

'A HESITANT DEBATER'

"I find Obama to be a hesitant debater. There is always that moment where he is finding his sea legs as he answers a question, as opposed to McCain who pretty much plows forward without a great deal of reflection," he said.

The first debate will focus on foreign policy and national security, McCain's strength and an area where he traditionally is most sure-footed. McCain advisers said they were excited to debate the Iraq war and his support for a boost in U.S. troop levels. Obama opposed the war and the additional troops.

Obama's performances improved over the course of more than 20 debates during the Democratic nominating race. He was particularly sharp and combative in a brutal, personal encounter in South Carolina with rival Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York.

Weeks earlier, Obama had drawn criticism for a perceived put-down of Clinton after she joked about her low approval ratings and noted Obama was likable. "You're likable enough, Hillary," Obama said dismissively, without looking at her.