The Debate Goes On

The first presidential debate is over and now the debate about the debate begins. The McCain camp wasted no time editing some of Barack Obama’s remarks and launched a nearly immediate post-debate web ad declaring “John is Right”.



Imagine the powerful message that the Kennedy camp might have sent in 1960, immediately posting clips of a flu-ridden, 5 o’clock shadowed Richard Nixon after their historic debate, with a banner “Is Richard Nixon Fit To Lead?”

The New York Times has a piece that frames the contest as a meeting of generations. "One candidate cited Churchill and Eisenhower, and described George Shultz, who served in Ronald Reagan’s cabinet, as a 'great secretary of state.' The other promised anxious voters a federal budget that could be examined on a 'Google for government' and accused his opponent of having a '20th-century mindset.'"

Politico’s Roger Simon calls the debate for McCain. "But McCain seemed to get it Friday night. He certainly knew enough to try to turn his age into a plus and not a minus. 'There are some advantages to experience, knowledge and judgment,' McCain said."

A CNN poll shows Obama with the win, along with the CBS poll of undecided voters.

And the debate continues.