My view: A functional tie, until I see what the polls show happened with truly undecided voters. I thought McCain condescending and grumpy. Obama was too deferential except in his litany of ways in which McCain was wrong on Iraq.
The bomb-bomb-bomb-Iran crowd undoubtedly found McCain more forceful and ready to fight. That’s not necessarily a good thing with many voters. Moreover, the war doesn’t seem to matter much at the moment.
On the economy and domestic issues, Obama was the clear winner. McCain’s earmark obsession paled against better health care and middle class tax cuts.
Defining moments: None likely to make an endless cable loop.
The trailing candidate, McCain, didn’t close ground from where I sat.
UPDATE SATURDAY MORNING: Check the headlines on Real Clear Politics. Some give it to Obama. Some to McCain. Some see a push. Several aging white guys seem to like McCain’s condescension to Obama and general certitude. It’s forceful leadership. they think. Bush II, except more dangerous, I think.