The LIKEABILITY factor.

[Lex]

Do not discount it.

[codjh9]

1. Obama could exude a little more warmth, but McCain had that plastic McSmirky thing

on half the time when there was nothing amusing or funny whatsoever... like some madman.

[valerief]

2. Most people would "want to have drink" with Obama. They'd want

to give McCranky a sleeping pill and send him to bed.

[steve2470]

5. lmao great remark !!! nt

[Lex]

6. Exactly.

[speedoo]

3. I don't think anyone is discounting it.

Except the stupid, that is.

[mscuedawg]

4. Especially w/the undecideds....oh yea!

[Lex]

7. Obama is so much more likeable than McGrumpy.

[mscuedawg]

12. CNN was alll over the likeability factor to the undecideds...

...and the temperament thing too.... GOBAMA!!!

[Neshanic]

8. McCain is the crotchety old relative that people do not want to have move in with them.

He really creeped out the majority of the nation just on that right there. Mean and petty.

[Lex]

19. I think that is very true.

He's way creepy.

[Demi_Babe]

9. exactly...McCain came across as very condescending...Obama was charming and cool

[KathieG]

10. McCain came off as a total asshole...they will not win on likability...

McSame is no Mike Huckabee.

[AllieB]

11. McCain was sneering, condescending and disrespectful.

He wouldn't look Obama in the eye.

[Lex]

13. that's the story right there

[CitizenLeft]

20. yep.

In a nutshell. Even many rightwing pundits grudgingly, or admittedly, like him. Pat Buchanan, asshole that he is, clearly likes Obama, even though he spins for the Republicans. That makes a big difference in the way perceptions are reported.

[Mike Daniels]

14. That was McCain's major fuck up

I think he wins on sound bites that will be remembered by the average voter.

However, Obama come off more professional and had more decorum than McCain did.

[vanderBeth]

15. Then it's a definite win for Obama, then.

[JawJaw]

16. Dang!

FoxNews' focus group in Las Vegas definitely liked him more than McCain. Quick - back to the pundits - back to the pundits!!!

[wildeyed]

17. Yup.

I saw that too. McCain was being grumpy and talking over people and then Obama would flash the Lehrer that 1000 watt smile. Made McCain look cranky and unpleasant.

[Lex]

18. Grumpy old guy

and who wants that as Prez.

[CitizenLeft]

21. his smile is a killer.

Infectious and genuine, even when annoyed. You can't learn that or fake it.