I don't think this debate is devastating...

[Drunken Irishman]

I think if there was just one debate, Obama would be in a very good spot to still win this by a landslide. I know that sounds opposite of what I should think since the more debates gives Obama a chance to swat Romney down ... but I don't know. I'm scared for the next two. One debate won't shift much public support. But if Romney hammers Obama during the next debate and the final debate, it could make the President look weak and in a no margin for error campaign, that might be the difference.

Basically, the narrative here is that Romney won and probably won decisively ... but it won't matter in the long run. It can matter, though, if Obama has another bad debate performance. He needs to come back and win the next debate or things CAN get interesting. As it is right now, the polls will probably tighten, but not near at the level to give Romney a real chance. If Obama has another poor performance, though, then all bets are off. And now, sadly, I'm lacking faith in Obama.

[arcane1]

1. It does seem like a lot of "woe is we" compared to the past months' great poll numbers.

The woe is even less uncalled-for when you realize it's only October 3rd

[tblue]

2. 3 days = a LIFETIME

this close to an election.

May tonight be the high-water mark for the MR campaign.

[Blaukraut]

3. The next debate is a Townhall format, which benefits President Obama

Candy Crowley is the moderator, but she won't be able to do too much damage in that particular format. Yes, Obama sucked pretty badly tonight, but he's too competitive to get spanked like that again. Have faith!

[Connie_Corleone]

6. Obama does pretty well in a townhall setting.

[Overseas]

7. But if they feed Rmoney more Adderall he can roll out platitudes in the town hall too.

[Overseas]

4. Most devastating for Jim Lehrer. He was terrible. Let Romney rattle on and on with his vague lies.

He lost so much credibility.

Jim had lousy questions and should have had audible time signals to keep stupid Rmoney in check.

[politicasista]

5. It was bad.

Very bad. Mute rambled and interrupted like some mad dude and got away with it.