Slight Obama Bounce?

A great liveblog, a decent debate. Bob Schieffer was probably the most interesting person on stage tonight, which is just ridiculous. Previously, I'd been happy that everyone seemed to be pissed at the lack of information in the debates (in spite of the fact that that's precisely what the internets are for), but being presented with said information made me realize that it's really boring in this context. In fact, I find it far more interesting to read a PDF on their policies than listen to either McCain or Obama talk about what they want to do, which highlights one of the deepest problems with the way elections have been run up to this point: I don't trust either of them – or anyone under the pressure that they're under – to articulate what their plans are actually about in a couple of minutes on television. Just ain't gonna happen.

That said, Obama did amazingly well with the Ayers question and Palin's mob-building (which may have actually been a trap for McCain) and managed a nice contrast on abortion (even while fucking up free trade in the typical ways). By contrast, I think McCain's best line – "I am not President Bush" – is really too little, too late. Maybe in the first debate, but that issue's been decided. If anything, it showcases his inability to keep up with the pace of the times.

All in all, I agree with JJ: I'm disappointed by Obama's centrism, and even under the best possible analysis for McCain he didn't offer a "game changer." I predict a slight gain for Obama in the polls, and in any case there's little doubt that McCain is maintaining his losing streak. But honestly I can't claim that my opinion about it wasn't influenced by things like this:

CBS: Obama 53 / McCain 22
CNN: Obama 58 / McCain 31

Media Curves:
Republicans: Obama 18% / McCain 70% / Undecided 12%
Democrats: Obama 81% / McCain 10% / Undecided 9%
Undecided: Obama 60% / McCain 30% / Undecided 10%

And then there's this:



(McCain won both of the previous Fox focus groups, which were the only major media "polls" that he won. Though if I remember correctly, one of them only consisted of four people.)



Bottom line:


Dear McCain AND Obama,

Get the FUCK out of DC until you give us representation.

K'Thanks.



EDIT:

Oh, yeah, my favorite line: "Obviously, she's a capable politician. She has, I think, ignited the, uh, a base in the republican party."

Let's be clear. This election is about making sure that Sarah Palin never holds national office, ever. Never, ever, ever.


EDIT II:

That CBS poll was of 638 undecided voters. It was, you know, a real poll. Even if undecided voters are stupid. Obama won this one big, when we're already talking about a landslide election. We'll see soon enough whether we can start talking about Arkansas.


EDIT III:

The Obama campaign clearly agrees with me about that "I am not President Bush." line: