Who knows? My two cents is that McCain didn't lose. He might not have won either, but McCain performed well, putting Obama on the defensive on several occasions and getting in some good one-liners. Obama was steady, but he seems to have missed an opportunity to make a bigger issue out of McCain's "I-won't-debate-I-will-debate" two-step. But it was Obama who had to prove something to an audience which hasn't been watching him for 19 months. On that, he did well.
Here's what others are saying:
Thresholds are artificial, but both candidates seemed to meet them - although Obama's threshold was arguably higher.
The press will probably conclude that McCain did not fundamentally change impressions tonight. And that Obama held his own.
Obama A-, McCain B-
It's not that Obama had a lousy night; I think he accomplished a mission he really didn't need (got his base to jump out of their chairs at every answer) and missed on the most important task of the night: Seem ready to take over on January 20.
Obama's best ever debate performance. McCain was fine, but it's wrong for him to attack his opponent at the end. And then he gave a slightly rambing defense of his experience. I give Obama an A - and I give mcCain a B.
the foreign policy sections were about even, but that makes them a win for Obama because it wasn't supposed to be his strong suit.
McCain Won and not, I think, by a small margin, either.
Only the most devoted partisan could deny it was a very, very strong outing for John McCain. On foreign policy he was devastating -- making clear how much more resolute and experienced he is. On the bailout and domestic policy he more than held his own. He may have climbed back into this race. For Obama he I think did not answer key questions on the surge and on direct meetings with Ahmadinejad. I imagine the McCain camp is hugely relieved.
And given where McCain is in the polls (lagging and getting worse), this wasn't what he needed tonight.
And given that the status quo probably remains, in a debate that was supposed to focus more on McCain's "strength" (national security), Obama wins.
McCain was the teacher; Obama was the promising but somewhat disappointing student -- the one who knows lots of facts but ultimtely doesn't quite get the big picture.
