There have been a few polls out since the 1st debate. The CBS one covers uncommitted voters, which is the most relevant of them, since it isolates the voter group that is crucial to the final month of the election cycle.

http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/2008Debate1.pdf

By a 39%-24% margin, uncommitted voters felt Obama won the debate. Foreign policy is supposed to be McCain's bread and butter, or at least there are pre-conceived notions that it is, so this is significant.

THE DEBATE’S EFFECT ON OPINIONS OF THE CANDIDATES:

Obama:

Better: 46%
Worse: 8%

McCain:

Better: 32%
Worse: 21%

(the remaining said "no change")

Dramatic difference. Although this shows that McCain at least showed up (I don't mean literally in this case), Obama's standing improved dramatically. I don't know how much of this is because Obama performed exceptionally well vs the fact that Obama has been mostly negatively characterized by the mainstream press, right-wing blowhards, and the McCain camp. The whole elitist/not prepared/empty suit/arrogant/presumptuous/gives good speeches only/socialist/terrorist-sympathizer/naive/scary labels eroded to a degree when undecided voters, who may have not paid that close attention during primary season, finally got a chance to hear Obama discuss the issues for a lengthy period on national television.

Is Obama prepared to be President?

Pre-debate: 44% (53% No)
Post-debate: 60% (39% No)

This is significant. Many undecided voters have been on the bubble about Obama because they are unsure of his ability to handle the job. He made a large leap forward among these voters in the 1st debate.

It's getting very close to the point where McCain will need an October Surprise (not that unlikely) to salvage his campaign.

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"You have shown what history teaches us - that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington."

- Barack Obama, 8/28/08

Obama did well.His numbers will only get better. He took his lumps from the McCain bounces but now seems to be on an upward trend. The failing economy will help even more.

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Imagine no possesions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger, A brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people Sharing all the world. John Lennon
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Here's an interesting story. McCain is apparently whining about the media again:

“I was a little disappointed the media called it a tie but I think that means, when they call it a tie, that means we win,” McCain said during a telephone call that was caught by cameras filming him at his campaign headquarters.

http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/200...-debate-a-tie/

So the American people on the whole thought Obama won, yet the media only called it a tie, and it's McCain that's whining? If anything, the Obama camp should have a complaint.

This is yet another reason why the "liberal media" thing is nonsense. Republicans do a very persistent and relatively effective job of whining about broad bias when none exists.

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"You have shown what history teaches us - that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington."

- Barack Obama, 8/28/08

And yet it seems the right wing are usually the most vocally opposed to the fairness doctrine - seems to me they should be supporting it with gusto.

Surprising, or actually, not so surprising....

McCain is right about the media and press. I've never before witnessed such a media/press that is so "in bed" with a particular candidate as THIS mainstream media/press is with Obama. There is absolutely NO objectivity there.

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"What exactly is this foreign policy experience?" Obama said mockingly of the New York senator. "Was she negotiating treaties? Was she handling crises? The answer is no."

I must admit I wasnt overly impressed with either candidate - Obama was a bit stagnant, dull and defensive for most of it and McCain switched between slumped out great grandfather and angry bull.

However, I would probably give it to Obama afterall. He did have more clear points and a confidence and authority about him.

As for the media being with Obama -> well, Fox and affiliates are surely not...many of the others used to be best buddy pals with McCain the maverick, but his restrictions on access throughout the campaign probably hasnt done him any favours. Furthermore, like him or not - Obama is a better story...

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All the best, Svensgaard

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As a goof I put on MSNBC after the debate and immediately they had edited clips of McCains worst moments with Olberman doing his best to drive a knife into mcCains campaign.