Sadly I didn’t hear much of the debate (the nice people at Round Table did up the volume on the TV, but the patrons just got louder in response.

Basic impressions: McCain seemed smug and condescending (both in regards to his opponent and the viewing public); Obama was pretty solid.

Overall it seemed like a partisan victory: people who went in in love with McCain no doubt found reasons to continue; Democrats got a solid performance with no reason to suddenly reconsider things. The “swing” voters probably didn’t bother to tune in.

The problem for McCain is that he needs to win these things or at least show that Obama isn’t qualified. This was on Foreign Policy, mostly (the economy snuck in there, of course). McCain is supposed to be so much more qualified in foreign policy and Obama held his own (at LEAST!)

Indeed. I think that Obama could always bring up Biden as his heavyweight on foreign policy was helpful.

Of course, maybe reminding people that dear John thought it “funny” to sing “Bomb bomb bomb Iran!” isn’t showing much by way of foreign policy kudos. Be nice to run the audio of that with some of the Iraq civilians who were killed, maimed or wounded in the foreground.

Might not work: the little green fucktards seem to get off on killing folks. So fucking sad/awful/disgusting.