All Barack Obama needed to supply last night was more-of-the-same, stoking voters’ growing confidence that he understands and can handle the things a president needs to understand and handle — not least, their fears. What John McCain needed to supply was a total makeover of the cranky liver-in-the-past he’s shown them lately. Obama succeeded, McCain failed, and according to TPM, CNN’s insta-poll of debate-watchers gave Obama a 54-30 win; CBS’s uncommitted debate-watchers called it for Obama 39-27.
Internals of the CNN result included, on
the economy: Obama 59-37
the financial crisis: Obama 57-36
Iraq: Obama 51-47
terrorism: McCain 51-46
stronger leader: Obama 54-43
more likable: Obama 65-28
At Intrade anyone who yesterday bought “Barack Obama’s Intrade value will increase more than John McCain’s following the 2nd Pres. Debate” at $60 made some easy overnight money: the contract now sits at $85. (Remember that on September 29 Intrade’s Max Keiser warned, "If McCain breaks through resistance at 40, watch out 30!" As I type, they’re trading “Pres. Obama” futures at $71.90, “Pres. McCain” at $27.70.)
Care to bet “Pres. McCain” won’t need another nine days to bust $20? Along with ‘most everything else, “that one” aimed him straight down (I know he can’t help himself, but what a gratuitously-stupid thing to call a guy that voters have so warmed to). And why McCain thinks “We need a cool hand” works for him or “I’ll act responsibly, like always” carries the least cred for the guy who offers us Mean Girl — sheeze, who knows.
Seems to me, last night was of-a-piece with the entire campaign so far: McCain’s message was “Americans, I bet you’re stupid,” Obama’s was “Americans, I know you’re smart” — so, naturally, advantage Obama. Thanks to John Cole for word that The Corner, in misery, agrees:
… [after much hair-tearing] With due respect, I think tonight was a disaster for our side. I’m dumbfounded that no one else seems to think so. Obama did everything he needed to do, McCain did nothing he needed to do. What am I missing?
Not a thing.
“After the second presidential debate last night, you can stick a fork in McCain.
It’s all over but the last-minute distractions and negative campaigning.” sez Mark Karlin over at BuzzFlash Oh yeah-that and the rumble for who’s gonna run against Obama in ‘12.
What the right wingers are missing – due to the dire economic times – American voters are heeding Dennis Kucinich’s call at the Democratic National Convention –
“WAKE UP AMERICA”
More voters are ready to vote their pocketbooks and not their culture