The further from this debate we get (even a few hrs) the more it is clear: this was the knockout punch.
McCain: Could not/would not look Obama in the eye. Probably said "horseshit" on national TV (during Obama's 'spain' answer)-- THIS WILL BE A BIG STORY TOMORROW Did not even mention why he was in Washington and made a big deal about missing the debate Could not best Obama at his own chosen best topic
More in extended
Kerry creamed Bush. There was nothing as delicious about Bush's stammering about "hard work" during that first debate. But it really wasn't a fair fight- Kerry had been talked up as a great debater that when he met the expectation he got a bump, but it did not knock Bush out. He was already President.
This is a knockout. Americans were waiting to see if they felt Obama was "Presidential" and could hold his own with McCain on the one topic McCain has an edge- that is gone now.
Many people are too young to remember that despite Carter's unpopularity (similar to Bush's in 2004), people were VERY skeptical of Reagan- he was seen as unsafe, untested, too extreme, etc. Then he stood on a stage with President Carter: [Sad part: listen to Carter talk about healthcare 28 years ago... sound familiar?]
"There you go again." Reagan won the election right there. And tonight...
"You were wrong."
McCain says "horseshit" (at :20)
This was a knockout punch. I believe Obama is going to get Kerry's 3.5% bump from 2004... and that is going to put him at or near double digits in lead by Tuesday.