Republican John McCain went into Tuesday night's second presidential debate with every major national poll -- and most battleground state polls -- putting him behind Democrat Barack Obama.

McCain needed this debate to be a gamechanger.

It wasn't.

Obama won the debate, according to a CNN survey of Americans who watched the face-off.

CNN asked voters who did the best job.

Fifty-four percent said Obama.

A mere 30 percent said McCain.

A CBS poll of uncommitted voters saw 39 percent peg Obama as the winner, while 27 percent identified McCain as the victor.

Comments (35)

1. "Obama won the debate,"

   i already said that on the other blog entry, nichols...

   go to bed you insomniac. i am...

   lol...

   nichols, the hardest working and most prolific blogger at "the nation"

   woot woot!!!!

   Posted by dexter666 at 10/07/2008 @ 11:28pm

2. Just as a point of speculation, but the difference in the numbers is either they tied or neither won?

   I was stuck at work so I was forced to only see analysis, but from the bits and pieces I saw it seems like Obama did have the upper hand tonight. For Grandpa that's an absolute tragedy. He needed more than just a win or a tie. He needed a complete slaughter of Obama or else he will fall further behind in the battleground states. I also noted that the main zingers from tonight have come from Obama, which means that Grandpa never really landed a true punch. All in all not a good night for the old man.

   Posted by yutsano at 10/07/2008 @ 11:29pm

3. Obama for Treasury Secy? Why not? With this money avalanche, let Obama be Obama?

   ------------

   Obama Outspending McCain Nearly 3 to 1 on Television Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

   Barack Obama is outspending John McCain at nearly a three-to-one clip on television time in the final weeks of the presidential election, according to ad buy information obtained by The Fix, a financial edge that is almost certainly contributing to the momentum for the Illinois senator in key battleground states.

   From Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, Obama spent more than $20 million on television ads in 17 states including more than $3 million in Pennsylvania and more than $2 million each in Florida, Michigan and Ohio. McCain in that same time frame spent just $7.2 million in 15 states.

   Posted by HelenDAO at 10/07/2008 @ 11:30pm

4. The uncommitted need to be committed. But oh, they're special... Above the petty politics. Special. Able to detach, consider all sides. Special. Serious, not yet convinced. Earnest... This all reflects they're self-image of special special special people. Narcissism is about as special or rare as pidgeon poop in the park.

   Posted by winyahn at 10/07/2008 @ 11:32pm

5. Posted by HelenDAO at 10/07/2008 @ 11:30pm | ignore this person | warn this person

   is there a point to this?

   are you a real person?

   Posted by dexter666 at 10/07/2008 @ 11:32pm

6. >>>McCain needed this debate to be a gamechanger.

   It wasn't. <<<

   Correct!

   GAME OVER!

   Posted by Metteyya at 10/07/2008 @ 11:42pm

7. Anyone notice McCain constantly scribbling, while Obama took NO notes at all?

   That shows me that Obama can assimilate and respond without a crutch. Clearly, he is the more thoughtful, intelligent, and capable candidate.

   Posted by Balrog at 10/07/2008 @ 11:44pm

8. The uncommitted need to be committed. But oh, they're special... Above the petty politics.

   ~Winyahn

   I try to not pay too much attention to the "undecideds" at this point.

   If you've seen panels of these voters you'll know what I mean --not the crispest flakes in the box.

   Posted by b_kool_66 at 10/07/2008 @ 11:46pm

9. The undecideds are the people who step up to the counter at McDonalds and draw a complete blank...even though they've been there 100's of times, they made a conscious decision to go there, but when it comes time to order they have no idea what they want.

   Posted by Balrog at 10/07/2008 @ 11:58pm

10. not only was McCain scribbling...he came out scribbling. As Tom Brokaw was introducing, McCain rushed over to his podium and started writing on his pad. It really looked as if he was writing down all those great "zingers" his groomers had thought up, so he wouldn't forget them. Whoops, seems like he did anyhow

    Posted by jac5353 at 10/08/2008 @ 12:06am

11. The undecideds are the people who step up to the counter at McDonalds and draw a complete blank...

    ~Balrog

    An apt description.

    :D

    Posted by b_kool_66 at 10/08/2008 @ 12:18am

12. The undecideds are the people who step up to the counter at McDonalds and draw a complete blank..

    Posted by Balrog at 10/07/2008 @ 11:58pm

    Niiiiiiice image. Yep, that certainly captures a chunk of this odd species.

    Posted by winyahn at 10/08/2008 @ 12:52am

13. HelenDAO is trying to assert that Obama's momentum is the result of his financial advantage. Ironically, Obama has that financial advantage because more people support him and have donated to his campaign.

    Posted by Be Good at 10/08/2008 @ 01:17am

14. Fifty-Four percent!!!????????

    Who's poll is that? The GOP?

    Obama's numbers are usually in the nineties!

    Posted by bleedingheart at 10/08/2008 @ 03:18am

15. Posted by Be Good at 10/08/2008 @ 01:17am | ignore this person | warn this person

    ok...i still think she's a p-zombie...

    Posted by dexter666 at 10/08/2008 @ 06:47am

16. Obama's numbers are usually in the nineties!

    Posted by bleedingheart at 10/08/2008 @ 03:18am | ignore this person | warn this person

    another p-zombie...

    Posted by dexter666 at 10/08/2008 @ 06:48am

17. Posted by dexter666 at 10/08/2008 @ 06:48am

    Again, bleeding is a GOP poser who pretends to be a Naderite....but he slips up and comes out as a right-winger on other subject threads and you'll notice his attacks on MCCAIN are as rare as hen's teeth.

    He'll be gone by November 5th.

    As for the polls...I hope they're right. But I won't concede my prediction failed until I see the polling on Tuesday/Wednesday of next week.

    Posted by Maskdelta at 10/08/2008 @ 09:29am

18. Anyone watch the debate on CSPAN last night?

    The best part of the "debate."

    After the debate, the McCain's shook a couple of hands, and then left. The Obama's stayed on and worked the crowd, posing for pictures, talking with folks, shaking hands....real pros working the room and taking time to talk with people. This post debate get to know your candidate was trully amazing. The people couldn't wait to meet Barack and Michelle - and the Obama's looked as comfortable as fish in water. McCain's absence tells you alot about his "town hall" philosophy - all show....no substance for the "little folks," i.e., the voters.

    Posted by OneVote at 10/08/2008 @ 09:56am

19. Posted by OneVote at 10/08/2008 @ 09:56am

    Despite what many (including myself) said about how "McCain LIKES town halls, it's HIS forum"...there was something we forgot...

    McCain has usually had the town halls TO HIMSELF....they weren't debates.

    Posted by Maskdelta at 10/08/2008 @ 10:08am

20. McCain has usually had the town halls TO HIMSELF....they weren't debates.

    Posted by Maskdelta at 10/08/2008 @ 10:08am | ignore this person | warn this person

    Excellent point. He could absolutely control the game in that venue, with grandpa gently sterring the discourse with the aid of "plants." Not so last night. Gosh...the moderator even asked questions!

    Posted by OneVote at 10/08/2008 @ 10:11am

21. Obama can out spend Mccain because warren buffet is behind him and he knows if Obama gets in he can use him as a puppet oh yeah dont forget Oprah. Funny how both of them left rev wrights church after it was made public he damns america, i guess obama wanted to keep running for president and she still wanted to make millions, if you didnt believe that way why would you attend that church??? Well i see the comments on this web site it is clear to me that some of these americans are turning their back on a man who gave his all for his country, yeah both sides policies has flaws in it, but in the end what has Obama done for this country or even for his district???? By the way I look at these stories on here by these authors and this is a solid 100% die hard democratic website. They cant even have an unbias reporting. I guess thats why its only 75 cents an issue that way they can get the trash out their cheaply and posion minds

    Posted by politicsdoneit at 10/08/2008 @ 10:32am

22. some of these americans are turning their back on a man who gave his all for his country

    Posted by politicsdoneit at 10/08/2008 @ 10:32am

    I'm not turning my back - I just don't want him for my President.

    Posted by Balrog at 10/08/2008 @ 10:49am

23. By the way I look at these stories on here by these authors and this is a solid 100% die hard democratic website.

    Posted by politicsdoneit at 10/08/2008 @ 10:32am

    Very clever of you to figure that out all on your own. Perhaps you might find The Weekly Standard or The National Review more to your liking.

    Posted by Balrog at 10/08/2008 @ 10:50am

24. politicsdoneit-In 2000 republicans went for Bush,who hid in the national guard and refused to fight,over two Viet Nam vets,Gore and McCain.In 2004 republicans went for Bush,who refused to fight,over Kerry,a Viet Nam vet.McCain is the GOP nominee because Romney is a Mormon and republicans were not energized by McCain, the war hero.They became energized by the unknown Palin,a non veteran with close ties to the AIP,but has big breasts.Get back to us when republicans start to vote for and get energized by combat veterans.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 10/08/2008 @ 10:57am

25. Well i see the comments on this web site it is clear to me that some of these americans are turning their back on a man who gave his all for his country, yeah both sides policies has flaws in it, but in the end what has Obama done for this country or even for his district????

    Posted by politicsdoneit at 10/08/2008 @ 10:32am | ignore this person | warn this person

    Could you give us libs a unbiased recitation of what John McCain has given us besides being held captive by folks he was bombing the hell out of under the mistaken belief (failed intelligence (perhaps deliberately) and downright stupidity) that Vietnam wanted to be annexed by Communist China?

    Posted by OneVote at 10/08/2008 @ 11:10am

26. Posted by politicsdoneit at 10/08/2008 @ 10:32am

    BTW, regulars...in case you haven't noticed, we're getting flooded with "newbie" M.T.O.T.D. posters this morning...

    who will no doubt "magically disappear never to post again" by tomorrow.

    Posted by Maskdelta at 10/08/2008 @ 11:13am

27. who will no doubt "magically disappear never to post again" by tomorrow.

    Posted by Maskdelta at 10/08/2008 @ 11:13am | ignore this person | warn this person

    Yep!

    McCain/Palin Platform:

    Vote for McCain because he was a POW.

    Vote for Palin because she is a Woman.

    Not too compellling.

    Posted by OneVote at 10/08/2008 @ 11:21am

28. Noticed some folks holding up signs before the debate (behind Chris Matthews) pictures of the GOP ticket: McCain picture: Out of touch and recklesss | Palin picture: Out to lunch and clueless

    LOL

    Posted by leftofcenter at 10/08/2008 @ 12:09pm

29. Posted by OneVote at 10/08/2008 @ 11:21am

    What ELSE can they run on?

    Certainly not "the issues"!

    Posted by Maskdelta at 10/08/2008 @ 12:13pm

30. The undecideds are the people who step up to the counter at McDonalds and draw a complete blank...

    Posted by Balrog at 10/07/2008 @ 11:58pm

    well,

    you got the "venue" right!

    looks like the bicmac with alaska sauce isn't selling so well.

    most people are ordering the new mcafroburg.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 10/08/2008 @ 12:42pm

31. Picking a candidate is just step one for undecideds. The even bigger question they have is whether to vote or not.The day starts with some lip smacking while sitting on the side of the bed, ala Chance Gardener.

    Posted by Sorelish at 10/08/2008 @ 1:09pm

32. 9 out of 10 dentists surveyed....

    Posted by frosty zoom at 10/08/2008 @ 1:41pm

33. --not the crispest flakes in the box.

    Posted by b_kool_66 at 10/07/2008 @ 11:46pm

    I'm stealing that line.

    Posted by k330k at 10/08/2008 @ 2:39pm

34. The best part of the "debate."

    After the debate, the McCain's shook a couple of hands, and then left. The Obama's stayed on and worked the crowd, posing for pictures, talking with folks, shaking hands....real pros working the room and taking time to talk with people. This post debate get to know your candidate was trully amazing. The people couldn't wait to meet Barack and Michelle - and the Obama's looked as comfortable as fish in water. McCain's absence tells you alot about his "town hall" philosophy - all show....no substance for the "little folks," i.e., the voters.

    Posted by OneVote at 10/08/2008 @ 09:56am

    I saw the same thing. I even called my mom to see if she was watching the Obamas work the room. They looked very comfortable. People were laughing and truly excited to meet them. They looked natural. I also noticed how Mrs. Obama would engage people in conversation. Very personable, they were.

    Posted by k330k at 10/08/2008 @ 2:44pm

35. Posted by frosty zoom at 10/08/2008 @ 12:42pm

    What? no mooseburger?

    Posted by leftofcenter at 10/08/2008 @ 4:28pm