From a few hours of feeding hungrily on the post-debate polls and punditry the thing that struck me, and noting we usually totally ignore the self-identified partisan results of the snap polls, was that according to CNN almost one in six Republicans thought Obama won:

Among Democrats, 85 percent say Obama won, with just 5 percent saying McCain was the winner. Among Republicans, 64 percent say McCain won, with 16 percent saying Obama won the night.

Paul Steinhauser - CNN Poll: Obama won the night CNN 7 Oct 08

I'm beginning to wonder if the narrative that Obama's got this thing wrapped up isn't starting to work in our favour, even McCain seemed to be grumpily reconciling himself to the inevitable, and he should know.  'Get that sign off your lawn.'  

Obama clearly proved he is equipped for the most demanding job on Earth. McCain, while he was often good, appeared angry, condescending and incoherent at times.

Overall it was extremely dull, which I believe is a win for Obama. McCain really needed a good faux pas from Barack and he couldn't get it, not even after "that one!" popped out of the old lizard.

Obama was cooler than the other side of the pillow. He's going to be president, and it appears he'll be a good one.

I listened to debate on the radio (while running errands) and didn't feel Obama hit it out of the ballpark.  Watching this clip makes me realize that I missed a world of body language.  These same words, which left me unexcited upon first hearing, seem so much more powerful, weighty, and confident on TV.  

Moral of the story: McCain is Nixon in '64.

From Hewitt's blog, this headline:

"McCain the Warrior awoke, pivoted on Obama the Professor, and pounded him

Seriously!

Sometimes it takes the smell of blood in the ring to awaken the dormant fighting spirit of an old warrior.

and

The pivot I referenced in the title to this post was quite literal, and it was vintage Captain McCain: Tom Brokaw (who did a good job suppressing his liberalism and a fine job overall) had fussed at both candidates for running long. That prompted Professor Obama to whine for a relaxation in the rules so that he could have another follow-up, but this came immediately after Captain McCain had pounded him for the first time about his naivete in threatening military action on Pakistani soil without the permission of its government. Brokaw was in mid-sentence refusing to change the rules, when Captain McCain literally whirled and -- with the sagacity of the experienced warrior -- agreed to Professor Obama's proposal.

Professor Obama then proceeded to violate the First Rule of Holes (when you realize you're in one, stop digging) -- or, to return to boxing metaphors, he once again decided to lead with his chin. And thus, Captain McCain got yet another chance to pound him with Teddy Roosevelt's "Speak softly and carry a big stick" line.

The whole thing is hysterical - in every sense of the word.  

Unanswered...

If you took a shot of vodka everytime Sarah Palin said "Maverick" would you have gotten more blasted then if you took a 1/2 shot everytime John McCain said "my friends"...

Oh, the question about who is going to be President?

Barack Obama took care of that last night.