I guess it's heartening that they disagree with me, and totally unexpected:
This time, John McCain kept Barack Obama on the defensive.
The feisty Republican tried hard to find a lifeline Wednesday night, challenging his Democratic rival at every turn over his truthfulness, associations and record.
By that measure, McCain won the last debate of the 2008 campaign.
But that may not be enough.
The account pulls out some more good moments on McCain's part:
Again and again, McCain looked directly at Obama and let him have it.
_"You have to tell me one time when you have stood up with the leaders of your party on one single major issue."
_"You're running ads right now that say that I oppose federal funding for stem cell research. I don't. You're running ads that misportray completely my position on immigration."
_"You don't tell countries you're going to unilaterally renegotiate agreements with them."
For Obama's part, I thought he lied frequently and flagrantly, but he was eloquent and moderate sounding. His downfall, if there was one, was the smirking, smiling, and laughing he was doing on his side of the screen as McCain spoke. It betrayed the off-putting arrogance that is the young senator's default attitude if he's not keeping it in check.
