I took a drive after the debate, it gave me some time to clear my brain & put things in perspective. (Actually I had to run to the pharmacy) At first, I likened the debate to a boxing match, but then I saw it more like a marathon, Obama was running at an even, steady pace, but McCain was sprinting and out of breath. Overall their approaches were entirely different & for good reason.
The impression I came away with is that Obama is looking at the long-term big picture ~ our nation's future. He wasn't trying to bamboozle us; he doesn't have to, nor is that his style. Obama wants us to know his stance on issues; it doesn't change on a daily basis. He doesn't view educated citizens as a threat, quite the contrary. I envision him with a checklist of points he wanted to make tonight & I imagine he probably stuck to the list. That he let McCain get away with lies about his stance on torture & supporting veterans? I'm certain he'll expose McCain's lies in 1 of the remaining debates. Plus, there is no hurry, he's still got 40 days to assure us that he's the right choice. As I said, he's a marathon runner.
Unfortunately, my vision of McCain went from being a sprinter to a very sad visual, a reason I no longer fish. It was a fish gasping for it's last breath, doing every single thing it has to to hold on to dear life & for McCain that's his Presidential run. The man was repetitive, crass, inaccurate, and had the grace of a bull in a china shop. Tonight was do or die for him. Plain & simple: he didn't "do".