Master-Debaters: Town Hall Style

As I said in my immediate reaction last night, nothing has changed.

It was a boring debate. Period. Both McCain and Obama said very little that I hadn't heard before. Granted, I'm an avid follower of political news and issues, but nearly everything that was said in last night's debate was a regurgitation of campaign talking points and each candidate's stump speeches.

The take away moments.

1:: John McCain referring to Senator Obama as 'that one'. OB already posted the clip. McCain again comes off as kind-of-a-dick, which does not help the meme that he's got a temper or is hot-headed. This is a moment that the Chattering Class will be talking about until the next debate.

2:: Barack Obama talking about Senator McCain's 'bomb, bomb, bomb--bomb, bomb Iran' song. I think that Senator McCain could have very easily diffused the situation and talked around it -- but instead he appeared to defend singing that song, as a 'joke' with a veteran. Tsk, tsk. You don't joke about bombing ANY country -- particularly one that already has a strained relationship with the U.S. This is another moment that will have people talking.

I think what frustrated me the most with the performance from each candidate is that despite taking questions from voters that were present in the audience, both men stuck to talking points. Numerous times I rolled my eyes and said, "You're not answering the question!" Both candidates did this. Both candidates either forgot the question, or dodged the question several times.

It's no surprise that liberal blogs are claiming an Obama victory and conservative blogs are claiming a McCain victory. I disagree with both. The way that I see it, both men got in a few jabs and both men seemed to parry the jabs well. Neither candidate scored a fatal knock-out or forced a gaffe by their opponent -- and that, to me, spells a draw.

However, with that said I will note that it is surprising to me that in a format that was supposed to be McCain's overwhelming strong suit (the town hall), Obama not only held his own, but gave John McCain a proverbial run-for-his-money. I will also say that Tom Brokaw did a great job of trying to enforce the rules upon which the campaigns agreed. He did his best.

Heads-up candidates! There's only one more debate to go. If John McCain doesn't change the trajectory of his campaign -- and the election in general -- Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States.

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Photo: Scott Olson/Pool/Reuters