Post-Presidential Debate Reaction

A couple of quick reaction points for tonight's presidential debate:

--> Regarding overall debate performance, McCain earned a B- and Obama earned an A- (I bumped up Obama's grade from a B+ to an A- after a repeat viewing of the debate emphasized just how solid and controlled Obama was throughout the night compared to a shaky, scattered McCain).

--> Obama clearly demonstrated his (heretofore underestimated, in my opinion) strength on foreign policy issues, which was basically his primary goal for this debate.

--> It's distinctly apparent that the McCain campaign has calculated they can only win by heavily dealing in misinformation and distortion regarding Obama's current plans and past statements.

--> Obama could have been tougher on McCain (I kept hoping we'd hear my favorite "...and if John McCain really believes XYZ, well, then I've got a 'Bridge to Nowhere' to sell you!", but I can settle for a 'Bomb, Bomb Iran' reference), but that was never really his debate style to begin with.

--> As the debate wore on, McCain came off as more and more aggravated and condescending, even a bit disrespectful so to Obama, which is likely to turn off many independent voters.

--> Jim Lehrer is MUCH less sharp than I remember him being in past election debates. The excessive overlap of many questions, the strange "talk to each other" comments, the poor time management...not very good at all.

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*UPDATE* (12:41am): The results of this CNN poll conducted among tonight's debate watchers are staggering:

Regardless of which candidate you happen to support, who do you think did the best job in the debate -- Barack Obama or John McCain?
Obama 51%
McCain 38%

Did _______ do a better or worse job than you expected?
Obama: Better 57%, Worse 20%, Same 23%
McCain: Better 60%, Worse 20%, Same 18%

Next, regardless of which presidential candidate you support, please tell me if you think Barack Obama or John McCain would better handle each of the following issues:

• The war in Iraq: Obama 52%, McCain 47%

• Terrorism: McCain 49%, Obama 45%

• The economy: Obama 58%, McCain 37%

• The current financial crisis: Obama 54%, McCain 36%

Thinking about the following characteristics and qualities, please say whether you think each one better described Barack Obama or John McCain during tonight's debate:

• Was more intelligent: Obama 55%, McCain 30%

• Expressed his views more clearly: Obama 53%, McCain 36%

• Spent more time attacking his opponent: McCain 60%, Obama 23%

• Was more sincere and authentic: Obama 46%, McCain 38%

• Seemed to be the stronger leader: Obama 49%, McCain 43%

• Was more likeable: Obama 61%, McCain 26%

• Was more in touch with the needs and problems of people like you: Obama 62%, McCain 32%

Based on what _______ said and did in tonight's debate, do you think he would be able to handle the job of president if he is elected?
Obama 69%-29%
McCain 68%-30%.

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