Obama didn't go there. He didn't fall into the trap of arguing over old slogans like tax and spend government and aborting our babies. He understands that we're in too much trouble to squabble over sound bites and surface issues. Obama was a gentleman tonight, even when his opponent ranted and snorted and tried to pick fights. He is too smart for that. He stuck to a clear understanding of the issues, to what mattered.
And he showed deference. He could have crushed McCain. Probably wanted to. I know I yelled at the screen for him to do it but he didn't. Obama was presidential. He spared McCain. Save him from himself. Even when McCain almost crashed and burned with Joe the Plumber giving Saturday Night Live and the Daily Show rich funny material for the remainder of the week. He used his analogy and saved McCain from looking completely ridiculous. We'll maybe not completely.
Obama did what he had to do tonight.