McCain's Advantage in Recent Debate

In Sunday's Chicago Tribune, Gerould Kern argues that in the debate between McCain and Obama, McCain had the upperhand due to his years of experience in foreign affairs and military endeavors. In the editorial, the author's audience seems to be the same as the candidates': the American people. Kern is trying to make a connection with his audience when, while explaining our nation's debt, he writes "any bailout likely will..push that number into (gulp) the low 14 digits." He is showing Americans that he too is worried about the debt and future taxes, and in this way, he connects with his audience. His purpose in writing this editorial is to inform readers that McCain's experience gave him an advantage over Obama in the debate; however, Kern never goes so far as to say that this experience would make McCain the better man for the job. This may be because such a statement would not appeal to much of his audience, as he is writing in Illinois, a primarily democratic state.
Kern's argument is based on logos. He supports his claim that Mcain had the advantage because of his experience with specifics on McCain's past involvement in military decisions. Kern did not however, establish his own credibility on the subject, so the argument lacked "ethos." The argument also lacked any sort of emotional appeal, or "pathos," but that is likely because arguing the winner of a debate does not exactly warrant a heartfelt argument.