I started to live blog the debate last night, but frankly was too tired. Still, I watched and some of the cable news reactions.
On balance, I thought that it was a tie, although given that it was the vaunted Foreign Policy Debate and McCain is supposed to be the Foreign Policy Guy, I suppose that a tie in this case goes to Obama. In terms of an event that profoundly changes the race, this wasn’t it. I don’t recall any especially problematic answers or mistakes that would make good sound bites of the type that make good commercial fodder or that will be discussed ad nauseam on cable TV.
In terms of the post-debate TV round-up, I am sure that everyone will be shocked to hear that Bill Kristol proclaimed McCain the winner and Keith Olbermann thought that Obama won.
Here are some poll numbers:
According to the CBS News/Knowledge Networks poll:
Thirty-nine percent of uncommitted voters who watched the debate tonight thought Barack Obama was the winner. Twenty-four percent thought John McCain won. Thirty-seven percent saw it as a draw.
Hardly overwhelming. Indeed, it reflects what I expect will be the ultimate way undecideds break: mostly for Obama, with still a large number for McCain and yet many not deciding until the last minute.
According to the CNN/Opinion Research poll:
Fifty-one percent of those polled thought Obama did the better job in Friday night’s debate, while 38 percent said John McCain did better.
[...]
Sphere: Related Content“It can be reasonably concluded, especially after accounting for the slight Democratic bias in the survey, that we witnessed a tie in Mississippi tonight,” CNN Senior Political Researcher Alan Silverleib said. “But given the direction of the campaign over the last couple of weeks, a tie translates to a win for Obama.”
September 27th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I agree with independents being one myself. Here I thought McCain would blow Obama out of the water instead McCain sank into the past, talking about old trips he took and thinking that the world is still the same compared to when he first joined congress in 1982. Obama is a very intelligent guy and I think in the long run he is the guy that most people will listen to, he is very level headed. Politicians will respect him for that hence a few more things will finally get done in congress. Personally I would not mind working with him on issues.
September 28th, 2008 at 11:19 am
it was an impressively substantive debate, i thought.
here’s why i think obama won by a bit. mccain’s chief strategy failed, which was to paint obama as naive. for every charge he made at obama, obama had an answer that sounded reasonable and calm and well-judged (if not always altogether convincing). so on that score, mccain’s efforts had the feel of being plotted in advance (which, of course, they were, but the point is to avoid that appearance) and therefore lacking in credibility.
also, debates are about tone and appearance, and the big question about obama is his readiness. (i mean apart from the question of whether he’s a muslim terrorist) and he “looked” presidential. as did mccain, but that was never in question.
i think for those people who were leaning toward obama but were a little hesitant, obama sealed the deal for them. i think for those leaning toward mccain but were hesitant, they still might be hesitant. so no real sway one way or another, but a solidifying of support for obama only.
September 28th, 2008 at 11:25 am
mb:
A fair assessment.