Seemed a wash to me. McCain had a body language problem. Obama has a hemming and hawing problem. Both were weaselly at times. Lehrer should have been pushier (though I recognize the dangers therein).
I think that McCain did fine but needed to do better. Obama did fine but could have done better.
And I had the feeling that when each of them were taking notes they were writing things like “Obama is a poopie pants!” and “God, I wish he were back in prison!”
Believe me, I’m not remotely optimistic enough to think the rest of America will come to the same conclusions as I have regarding anything political. My comments reflect only my personal impressions.
But, just out of curiosity: You don’t think Obama came across as more respectful of McCain than vice versa?
Thinking a little more about this debate and how we determine winners and losers and I’ve come to two conclusion:
Obama supporters wanted him to go for McCain’s throat and Obama steadfastly refused to do this. This is viewed as a weakness by partisans, no matter which side they happen to be on. McCain did well to set the bar very low for himself and far exceeded expectations.
So both both sides of the debate got the feeling that this debate shaded toward Obama. Those that are genuinely undecided will be the ones who really say who won or lost.
On preview-- I wouldn’t put much stock in those snap polls. Immediate reactions change a lot over even an hour.
I watched the debates on CNN.com’s live internet stream while I was also reading & posting in this thread, and I just wanted to say “thanks” to all of you who did likewise.
I thought it was truly enjoyable to watch the debate this way, and many of you made excellent points concerning aspects of the debate as they were ongoing. I learned a few things, and occasionally gained insights into things due to the posts here.
Good job, SDMB! 
Am I the only one that noticed that it was Barack and Michelle who crossed the stage to shake the opponents hands? Maybe I’m old fashioned, but it seemed like the right thing to do, and the wrong thing for John and Cindy to stand there and wait for them.
Although, in retrospect, it strikes me that Barak had to go to John and that might be seen as a sign of weakness in Obama.
Also, Obama got to Lehrer first to shake his hand. Manners anyone?
Maybe, someone who went to college at a military academy, e.g., the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, and could reasonably be expected to know such things?
Didn’t McCain at one point, I think somewhat early on in the debate, make some kind of joke - a play on words or pun of some kind - that failed, and nobody laughed at it? I can’t remember what it was.
When Obama’s inaugurated, someone should give McCain a tape of this debate as an object lesson in the difference between tactics (“What Senator Obama doesn’t understand…”) and strategy (change, judgement, post partisanship).
Obama continued to project his central messages. McCain continued to project his self image.
I think a couple of times he said things that seemed like they were supposed to be funny, but of course nobody laughed because the audience was tightly controlled and made no noise.
Also because they weren’t actually funny.
Does anyone remember what it specifically was? I’m trying really hard to recall it, but I can’t.
ETA - people did laugh at other things. Like when McCain said that his pen was kind of old. There were several other times too.
Actually, I do. I too found McCain annoyingly condescending at times. (“Obama doesn’t understand . . . .” Say it once, okay, say it sixteen times – we got it. Move on.) But that doesn’t mean I would agree that the overall image take-away has to be “polite and respectful” for the one but “aggressive and condescending” for the other. I found both of them to be overall polite and respectful; there was no going for the jugular, no low blows or bitchy little jabs. They played it straight and took the high road. There will of course be disagreement whether that was the right call or not, in both their camps.
I thought the line about the bear DNA was supposed to be funny. Something like “I don’t know if it was paternity or criminal”?
Something about his pen being “an old one”? I recall that he made a couple of self-deprecating remarks about his age.
Yeah, something about the worst economy he’d ever seen and “that’s a long time.”
That to me was another example of Obama’s ability to be courteous to those with whom he disagrees; that alone is, to me, a huge strength when it comes to diplomatic relations abroad. That may sound shallow, I don’t know. McCain has no poker face, and gives no indication that he’s willing to find common ground on anything. Obama indicated many times his willingness to acknowledge the strength of others, at no loss to himself.
I also noticed that EVERYONE was watching the Obamas leave the stage. No one was looking toward the side the McCains exited on.
Oooh! That was probably it. He didn’t time it right.
Also, when he was trying to make little jokes, he looked as though he was laughing to himself - he needs to work on that. His demeanor wasn’t as “audience-inclusive” as it needs to be.
Good thing we all have a vote. I will give Obama a slight edge in the debate. Horrible? You must have been watching a different debate.
That was it. Thanks. Man, that one really sucked. I can barely believe it. That was absolutely unbearable. There was a really awkward paws afterwards. It was the polar opposite of humor. It wasn’t exactly a Kodiak moment.
