Let me be the first to say that I was wrong in predicting that McCain would attack Obama with Ayers, Wright, Patriotism, etc. Aside from the fact that McCain showed some contempt (”That one”?) and dishonestly regurgitated many of the discredited attacks on Obama’s tax and health care plans, I was pretty impressed that McCain showed class. I give kudos where it is deserved and McCain was tough but never went over the line.

As to the fun game of deciding who “won” the debate…well, once again, Obama cruises in the instant reaction polls. I’m partisan, but I think Obama easily handled McCain. McCain’s weird jokes seemed to fall flat and once again he just looked, well, old. Obama handled himself confidently, didn’t stumble on anything, and, more importantly, did nothing to harm his chances. The Town Hall format was supposed to be McCain’s strong suit. I thought Obama was perfectly at ease and it makes me wonder why, if he’s that good, he didn’t take McCain up on that Town Hall challenge.

In the end, if somebody wants to say the debate was a wash, I won’t really argue. Obama’s advantage is that he is way up in the polls, so a wash is the equivalent to a “win” and I think even conservatives would begrudgingly admit that. Watching Obama debate now is such a night and day thing from the primaries. He used to be, frankly, pretty awful. If Hillary did one important thing it was forcing him to learn how to debate. Maybe it’s time to reexamine the conventional wisdom that McCain is good at this sort of thing.

I sort of feel for Jeff and other conservatives. Though I find him to be a tool, on a technical debate level, someone like Mitt Romney probably would have carved Obama up in a debate. As it is, McCain is far worse and because of that Obama’s gains in debate skill seem so much better than they probably would be.

I feel good. Not sure how the opponents are seeing it.

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