The CNN Audience Reaction meter was pretty telling.

[gatorboy]

The independents stayed very close with the Democratics through most of the debate and dropped everytime McCain spoke. And even when the Republicans agreed with McCain, they were never that excited about it apparently. Their bar stayed close to the center the entire time.

That independents were much more attracted to Obama makes this a successful night, I think.

[deadparrot]

1. The best part was when McCain alluded to Palin.

All three bars dropped like rocks. Hysterical.

[krkaufman]

3. I think I may DVR the debate replay on CNN just to see that. Too funny. n/t

[Pale Blue Dot]

2. Yep.

And it got worse (for McCain) as the debate went on.

[krkaufman]

4. It was most striking, when I was watching, when McCain attacked Obama in his closing statements...

... all three lines went heavily negative, which bodes very well for Obama.

[Jackpine Radical]

5. I noticed that too.

And I must say I took a lot of encouragement from it.

In general, McNutso's attacks caused the lines to plunge.

[gatorboy]

8. And near the end they all rose to positive levels for Obama at one point.

Something I was very surprised to see considering when Obama would begin to speak at earlier moments, the red line would drop out of force of habit. That he made contact with Republicans near the end there was also a very good moment.

[krkaufman]

9. Yes, agreed. That tells me that Obama may have smashed the "inexperienced" argument ...

... and even Republicans are impressed with his basic skills, now. (Though I expect Sarah Palin's interviews may have helped some, there.)

[EC]

11. I noticed that

I yelled heh, the red line is going up too, they are actually listening...

[rufus dog]

6. but...

Chuckie Todd says they are going to break 70% for McCain!

Did you also notice that all of the traps the talking heads set up for Obama prior to the debate were not brought up after the debate?????? Obama is too nuanced, doesn't answer directly!!!!!!

[spag68]

7. debate

The Spain line was the best.

[EC]

10. I just figured it was mccain's EKG

it would flat-line every time he talked...even with the red line...I only saw the red line go up once when he was talking about Iraq and the green and blue line went down then...