This debate format was also not good for a somewhat supercilious
pseudo-intellectual person. Much better for a practiced slickster.
Next debate, “town hall” style with Candy Crowley. Could make a difference.
Or not! Anyway, it will be interesting!
John Kerry was generally judged to have overwhelmed G. W. Bush in the first debate in ‘04. Also to have “won” all three debates. But what happened, happened.
Our future remains, as always, unknown!
I have watched every one of these debates since 1988
The killer last night was Obama “You might want to move on to the next topic Jim.”
Every debate has moments that resonate in voters minds. That one is going to stick. Obama looking to the supposed ref to rescue him. The common thread in most voters comments to pollsters is “we want a leader who will show us how to get out of this mess”
Romney showed he is a leader last night while Obama showed he is not.
Last night Frank Luntz, the gold standard of focus group pollsters, had 24 undecided voters watch the debate with him. 13 of the 24 were Obama 2008 voters.
More the half said the debate persuaded them to vote for Romney. Luntz said he has never seen results like that before.
It really was that bad.