[mountainfolk]

I am hoping that this debate has paved the way for McCain to drop the nicey nice beginning and plunge right in to the tough, direct, responses. I understand that unlike Obama, he did not have the luxury of holing up in a motel room for days to prepare for tonight, but he took too long to warm up for my comfort. His experience in life and government and his core Americanism is so superior to Obama that he did not need to study for some of the topics. However, details about the economy would have helped with an audience that needs reassuring. Obama needs to be called on that tax break deal he says he will give to 95 percent of the people. McCain can do better next time but I doubt that Obama has any more to give than we saw tonight.

[mwl8787]

Dick Morris is right that McCain BLEW the first third of the debate but McCAIN TROUNCED BO in the final hour. Not even close.

McCain may have nor wanted to poison the compromise underway and take credit for it by Monday.