*** DU Debate Poll (actual poll, not asking to DU other polls) ***

[FlyingSquirrel]

Be honest, folks. This poll might be noticed by a few inconsequential freepers, but in the grand scheme of things it won't matter so go ahead and vote the way you really feel.

Who won this debate? Overall. Obviously Obama did better on domestic policy and McCain did better on foreign policy, but in the eyes of your average UNDECIDED voter, did this move them one way or the other?

My personal (and unhappy) opinion is that the fact that it ended on National Security, with McCain speaking last and sounding all the right notes with regard to his "experience", the final outcome is that this debate gave a big edge to McCain among undecided voters.

Your honest opinion:

[fed_up_mother]

1. I voted slight edge to Obama on tactics - however, I think his actual views scored big with viewers

He appeared presidential.

He kept his cool.

He was extremely knowledgeable on all subject matter.

But most importantly I think his concern for the middle class clearly came through.

[blossomstar]

2. John "NICE" Kerry all over again.

Sorry DU but Obama could and SHOULD have done far better. He missed opportunity after opportunity to put the freaking crypt keeper in his place... blown to the stone ages. Was Obama on an overdose of prozac tonight??? I am crying uncontrollably. NICE DOESN'T WIN ELECTIONS. He was like the guy who kept getting slammed in the face and just smiled. Sleezy McCain won this debate and if you all don't see that then you are blind.

[FlyingSquirrel]

7. Fortunately

The final debate will be on Domestic and Economic Policy.

Obama can afford to lose this debate - after all, Foreign Policy is not his strong suit and everyone knows this. He did well in terms of exceeding expectations. Biden will help shore up his foreign policy creds in the next debate, if McLame doesn't manage to get it canceled.

What I'm worried about is the town hall debate. The subject of Federal funding for abortion is going to come up. This killed Kerry. It must be addressed much differently this time around as there is a visceral reaction from anyone who is anti-abortion and does not want to feel that they are contributing to the "killing of babies" with their tax dollars. I don't know what the response should be exactly, but it most definitely needs to differ from Kerry's rambling answer that confirmed these people's worst fears.

Actually I personally think a good answer would be to propose a check-box on tax returns for people to choose whether their tax dollars can go to controversial things. Then they can feel personally like they are not morally liable for certain things and if enough people check no, there won't be as much federal funding for them. Things like the friggin' Iraq war too.

[workinclasszero]

3. McCain let his inner creep out. I don't think America will like what they saw.

[Abacus]

4. Big edge to Obama

If this were "neutral territory", I'd say slight edge, but this is supposed to be McCain's strength. Anyone arguing that Obama doesn't know his way around foreign policy got their asses handed to them tonight.

[NC_Nurse]

5. What? No "other"?

I didn't watch it...just reading up on it here. :-)

[OmahaBlueDog]

6. I didn't watch; I heard NPR radio commentary after the fact

Unfortunately, it was all spin doctors at that point, but they kept making references to "Republican attack points that stuck" -- especially with reference to taxes. They had a commentator who did cite Obama's comeback on McSame's spending freeze remark and citing education.

We'll know who won when we see the Gallup & Ras results in a day or two.