“In my opinion, JD won that debate hands down.”
Your analysis in post 12 was very well done.
I caught the first 30 minutes or more on the radio. I thought McSham sounded off-balance, was trying to remember his talking points (not very successfully), and sounded patently phony with “my friends”, “there he goes again”, and “facts are stubborn things”.
Deakin was certainly out of his league, and I would expect he will lose some of his 6-7% preference share in future polling. This should help J.D.
I thought J.D. did a masterful job of staying on message, not coming across as vitriolic, stating facts, and always pressing the attack on McSham’s lousy record. J.D. also put Deakin in his place a few times in J.D.’s follow-up time by reminding Deakin that Deakins’ answer did not match up with the question that had been asked.
If J.D. can perform as well tonight, I think this could be a very close race, despite McSham’s overwhelming money advantage.
OOh...there’s another one tonight? Can’t wait! :)