Snap polls and instant analysis, Chris Matthews and Andrew Sullivan wetting their beds is all high theater, very entertaining, but lets get real here. They were duped and they now know it.
What happens in the actual debate is minor compared to what happens in the post debate....debate.
You see, folks are very cynical of politicians in general, no matter which side of the aisle they are on. So we watch the debate knowing that we are mentally sleeping keeping one eye open if you will. We can see one side is more energetic and the other is a bit lethargic. The soundbites sound good and well it SEEMS like Romney won the actual debate.
But, Romney is a politician and for undecided voters especially, low information or otherwise they are generally cynical of politicians and politics. So they know that what they saw and heard on the debates is in many ways kabuki theater and so let's see if they weren't just selling us snake oil.
And guess what, Romney was selling snake oil. Oh he can talk smooth and he has high energy, and wow I LIKE that guy...until I get home and I realize that the bottle of castor oil I just bought won't cure my headache, won't calm my nerves, and won't settle my stomach. It's just a bottle of lies and empty promises. And then I realize, I HATE that guy. He is a huckster, a flim flam man and not to be trusted.
Now the snake oil salesman has usually taken your money and moved on to the next town. Unfortunately for this snake oil salesman there is no next town, just the angry mob.
Step right up!