A big reason Obama won last night that isn't being discussed.

[Drunken Irishman]

Look, as much as Bush running this country into the ground has helped Obama, it has also subtlety hurt him. In 2000, Americans chose the riskier candidate over the steady hand of Al Gore. Many Americans feel burned by that choice and so it isn't a surprise experience is keeping many on the fence. I'm not comparing Bush to Obama, but in the minds of many voters, the experience factor is big. They don't want to get bit again and even though McCain has aligned himself with Bush, you've got to think this is something in the back of many voters' minds.

Now what the debate did was shore up on thing: Obama understand foreign policy. Americans may not agree with him on everything, but he held his own against a far more experienced candidate in this regard. For voters, it very well could ease some of their biggest doubts about Obama and since they may agree with him on other issues, it could pull them over to his column. A sizable mistake last night would have magnified his lack of foreign policy experience in the minds of voters and could have hurt him. However, that did not happen and because of this, I think Obama won, even if it doesn't shake up the polls.

[louis-t]

1. I say, stop focusing on the 'experience' bit.

The man taught Constitutional Law, fer cryin' out loud. That should be at the end of every sentence.

[Drunken Irishman]

2. It's not what you and I think.

We're already pro-Obama. We'll vote for him. It's the undecided voters and the leaners. They obviously have their doubts over Obama, but I think this debate has calmed some of their fears.

For McCain, their doubts were confirmed, I bet.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

9. Completely agree. He looked presidential.

[depakid]

7. Teaching Con law's not "experience" in terms of running a country

or anything else (other than a classroom).

[kenny blankenship]

8. Sadly, to a great many people that means nothing

it reminds them of the boring as fuck civics class they slept through as teenagers, which was taught by the football coach who let them hang out in the parking lot on most days.

[texastoast]

3. They wanted to have a beer with Bush

And watch him cowboy.

I have a feeling that they are sick of having a truly dumb president.

Obama is so very evidently intelligent and knows that wisdom plays a huge factor in making good choices. Bush brought no brains and no wisdom.

[sandnsea]

4. I talked to an older man about that today

He started off worried that Obama was in over his head. We talked for a while, but I won him over by pointing out the wisdom of choosing Joe Biden. It seemed to give him confidence that Obama could make good decisions, unlike Bush. So I think we need to just have 3-4 great decisions Obama has made to prove he isn't risky.

[TheKentuckian]

5. I think Obama demonstrated a depth of understanding of the issues

Showed to be a calm steady hand on the wheel and that he is certainly no "empty suit".

The experience thing becomes pretty much a lame talking point. Disagreeing with someone and that person having no clue are two distinct things that most people are smart enough to grasp.

[DAGDA56]

6. I agree with you...this was one time when Obama was the one helped by

..."lowering the bar". I remember people saying that if Bush didn't trip over the podium or stick the microphone in his eye, he would "win" the debate. This was supposed to be McCain's strong suite--to excell in foreign policy. He didn't come close to expectations, and Obama made no mistakes.....decision; Obama.