Here's Why Obama Won

The general consensus seems to be that Obama won this first debate and I agree, but I take issue with those who were disappointed in him anyway because he didn't get angry and let McCain have it. Let's face it; the people Obama had to win over tonight were the undecided voters - read latent racists - who are looking for a reason to hate Obama so they can vote against him. He didn't give it to them. All they needed to get was one whiff of an angry black man berating a decorated war hero and they would head for the hills. Instead, they saw a respectful, intelligent, clear headed young man debating a rather fuzzy minded old guy who kept talking about the past. Never once did Obama smirk, or assail McCain's understanding of the issues. He simply blew him off the stage with reasoned analysis. That's why the CBS poll shows 47% of the responders replying that their opinion of Obama improved. The swing voters are swinging -- toward Obama.

McCain isn't suspending the campaign, he's running scared

Let's face it, McCain knows he's going to be creamed if he shows up for the debate. His entire career has been about deregulation, and deregulation is what got us into this mess. He looks fragile and tired and freaked out - that's no way to take on a debate, and he knows it. But running away from it is an even worse choice. He knows, and we know, that his lead in Virginia, a state he thought was safe, is down to a fragile thread. Is refusing to debate going to win them back? I seriously doubt it. So who's he going to leave to answer the questions? Sarah Palin? Check out Katie Couric's interview if you think she's up to the task.

From what I understand, Obama contacted McCain's offices first with an offer to put out a joint statement. McCain gave them the "we'll get back to you later" line and then put out his own announcement. It's fraudulent to suggest he's making this move because he feels he can make a valuable confrontation to the resolution of the financial crisis. As ever before, this is a political, disingenuous move.