Presidential Debate #2

Day before debate #1.  Storyline: Foreign Policy is McCain's Strong Suit.  Obama under pressure.

Result: Obama wins.

Day before debate #2.  Storyline: Town Hall is McCain Strong Suit.  Can Obama fake it 'til he makes it?

Result: Obama wins.

Day before debate #3.  Storyline: Domestic Policy is Obama's Strong Suit.  Can McCain fake it 'til he makes it?

Result: Obama wins.

So debate #3 is a prediction, but does anybody have doubts any more?  I noticed a couple things.  I'll leave out specific policy positions for the most part, because I don't think the debate was won or lost on those.     

First, Obama answered questions more directly overall than McCain did.       

Second, McCain was able to connect with the Navy Chief better than Obama, but Obama connected with the others in the room better.  I wish Obama was less afraid of military personnel.  Any genuinely grateful American can give a hearfelt thank you and handshake to those who have served in the military.  Not that Obama is not, but this is one area in which he can use improvement.     

Third, Obama came across as Presidential and calm.  McCain, while he didn't look out of place, clearly looked like the scrappy new guy trying to make a name for himself.  Does that make Obama look like an insider instead of the agent of change?  Not sure.  Obama is sure comfortable in this role by now.     

Fourth, Obama can explain things in very real terms.  His description of how the credit crunch hurts taxpayers was the single best explanation I've heard or read.  This in-touch-ness is something we haven't had for a very long time.  I get a sense that Obama has had to make a household budget and knows what it's like to get the used car you can afford instead of the new car you want.

Fifth, I am upset with McCain's use of "that one".  Was it intentionally racist?  I don't think so.  But it was definitely derisive/dismissive, and McCain might have been more likely to say something like that to a person of color.  Even if it wasn't racist, it was still intended to belittle Obama.  That wasn't presdiential; it was petty.

Obama won in my mind.  I think his biggest gap is the "Who is this guy and can I trust him?" gap.  This debate is going to get more people comfortable with him, calm the butterflies, and solidify votes for those leaning-but-still-unsure.  McCain needs a game-changer.  Aside from (God forbid) a terrorist attack, there ain't one in the offing.