Sorry, readers, but it’s going to be a three-peat. Tonight’s debate turned into something of an inkblot test, with neither candidate scoring any major points and probably just reinforcing the impressions voters had going in. Like most debates, this looked like a 51-49 affair – though we reserve the right to dramatically re-interpret tonight’s events after the spin cycle has run its course.
Predictably, Obama was stronger on the economy and McCain was stronger on foreign policy. Obama seemed oddly unassertive at important moments tonight. McCain, while sounding more authoritative, occasionally strayed into condescension. For anyone familiar with these candidates, there weren’t really any surprises here.
Tonight, it seems like we’re ending the day in the same place we started, with the candidates locked in an as-yet-unresolved debate on economics and the bailout deal. Tomorrow all eyes turn back to Capitol Hill.
Game-time: Poll of the day
By: ALEXANDER BURNS
A new Battleground Poll from the Tarrance Group and Lake Partners contains an interesting figure below the national tracking numbers (which have the race tied 43-43).
According to the survey, John McCain and Barack Obama are exactly tied on a question asking voters which man “says what he believes.” Forty-four percent of voters go with McCain, 44 choose Obama, 7 percent choose both and 2 percent pick neither.
In an election that’s been defined, in large part, by debates over character and personality, this is an important number – and it’s one that could change following tonight’s debate.
Four years ago, this question was one of the few tracking numbers that favored President Bush going into election day.
Quote of the Day
By: ALEXANDER BURNS
1:44 p.m.: Quote of the Day
“In the end, [McCain] blinked and Obama did not. The 'steady hand in a storm' argument looks now to more favor Obama, not McCain…My guess is that plasma units are rushing to the McCain campaign as we speak to replace the blood flowing there from the fights among the staff.” – Craig Shirley, a Republican consultant and former McCain adviser, shaping a dangerous storyline for his former boss in an interview with the Huffington Post.
Pre-game
By: ALEXANDER BURNS
5:00 a.m.: Pre-game
John McCain: The Republican nominee's schedule is very much up in the air Friday. He's staying in Washington at least through the morning, as bailout negotiations continue. The question of the day is whether he'll join Barack Obama in Oxford, Miss., for the first presidential debate. At this point, that's anyone's guess.
Barack Obama: After spending the night in Washington, Obama heads to Mississippi to await the first debate -- or whatever the event becomes if McCain doesn't show. As the debate over the debate continues, Obama's running mate campaigns with his wife in Wisconsin. Joe and Jill Biden visit the Milkwaukee suburb of Cudahy, the latest in a series of trips Biden's taken through the Midwest.
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Final score: Punting again
By: ALEXANDER BURNS
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