Debate ...

[karynnj]

11. Umm, they actually did speak of Kerry the day of his first debate

So much, that the Bush people kind of gave up on spinning it and conceded something like Kerry is a great debater. The media did speak of how bad Bush was. The debate did shift the polls.

The question is whether this will have a similar impact. I may be being a pollyanna, but I really don't think it will. In 2004, the question was whether Kerry could be seen as a President. There was no question that he a likable person - even with the silly have a beer question. His favorables were in positive territory. For Romney, he was always given credit for being smart and a successful governor (even though with 37% approval he could not have won re-election) and a successful businessman.

With Romney, the question was his likability - and this can not help it. In addition, there is the question of the issues. Though people may see Romney as more forceful in the debate, but his solutions (vague as they are) are not to most people's interest.

It looks like Romney is winning (decisively) the quick polls - which themselves define the narrative - even if they are usually small sample size and not as valid as the regular polls. This likely will result in him moving closer to Obama. This really is very disappointing.

It is also surprising to me - as I saw Obama as the more Presidential, calm person with Romney looking unhinged at times when Obama was speaking - every bit as bad as Al Gore, but no one seems to think that is a problem on any of the media.