McCain faces two typically Democratic problems

John McCain was much, much stronger in last night’s debate — attacking Barack Obama whenever opportunities arose. But the cracks and the strain were visible and it’s hard to argue that he landed a knockout punch.

Meanwhile, McCain faces two nasty headwinds, strategic problems that usually plague Democratic presidential candidates.

1. The Image Problem.

Democrats are typically the stiff ones, the awkward ones. Think Michael Dukakis in the tank helmet or John Kerry saluting at the Democratic National Convention.

But this year, John McCain is the one who suffers from a pantheon of visual and verbal tics that diffuse his message.

The “my friends”-style rhetorical phrases, the tongue-bites, the blinking, the nervous grins — Republicans haven’t had such an awkward performer since Richard Nixon.

In other contexts, Barack Obama’s unflappable style might look cold or elitist. But this year, he just looks steadier and more at ease. One might almost say more Presidential.

This kind of thing drives wonks like me crazy.

We want voters to think about issues, not TV style points. But the reality is that humans are influenced in their decisions by a wide array of subtle visual clues.

2. Money.

In last night’s debate, John McCain tried to make Barack Obama’s vast money-advantage a campaign issue.

But the fact is that Republicans usually enter presidential campaigns with a massive money advantage. An avalanche of GOP cash helped to bury Al Gore and John Kerry.

Last night’s debate was freighted with importance in part because McCain doesn’t have a war chest big enough to flood the airwaves with campaign ads in the final weeks.

On the contrary. The Obama campaign is reportedly trying to buy 1/2 hour TV blocks on all the major networks for a massive P-R blitz.

Conclusion? John McCain’s road to the White House is a lot harder and steeper today than it was yesterday.