I thought McCain started slow.  He seemed measured and a little reserved, but also serious about the issue.  It was clear these are dire times and McCain seemed almost like he felt he should have been working in Washington instead of having this debate tonight (and I agree).

After the first couple questions, I think McCain took the debate too him.  McCain commanded virtually every issue after the second question.  Obama sounded like he was talking from a text book while McCain sounded like he was speaking from experience.  Obama sounded like he was pushing theory.  Theory is fine, but anyone who has made the transition from college into the real world knows that theory goes out the window when boots hit the ground.  I’ll take a successful business owner over an MBA anyday, and I’ll take a guy who has fought in wars, dealt with international relations, bridged the partisan divide and forged real reform instead of talking about ethereal hope and change.

That being said, I’m not sure John McCain did enough.  He might have needed a knock out tonight, and I don’t think he got it.  He didn’t answer some of Obama’s more ridiculous charges and he probably should have.  There were at least three questions where I was screaming at the tv with a better answer, a more powerful answer… something that the Average American could relate to more.  I was wanting for more.

I think McCain won, but not overwhelmingly.  I don’t expect to see him get a bump in the polls.  If people tuned in for just the first few minutes, you might even see Obama extend his lead in the polls by a point or two… and that might be enough to put it out of reach.

Two minor points.

I thought Barack Obama’s bracelet retort was cheap and contrived.  Certainly he knew John McCain was going to mention that bracelet as he often does.  To come out with an “I have a bracelet from a soldier too” came off as whiny and childish.  He could have made the same point in a different manner, instead he looked like a child on stage with a man.

I wish McCain had been defensive and detailed on his health care plan and tax plans more.  The plans are detailed and thus don’t lend themselves to two minute sound bites, but if the American people heard them I think they would respond.  McCain’s plans for both are better for average Americans, better for the middle class, and better for small business owners.  His health care plan levels the playing field, puts the consumer in charge, and offers health care portability for American workers.  His tax plan is much better for small business owners, better for the middle class, and more apt to help us come out of this desperate economic times.  McCain did start to make the very valid point of our corporate tax rates driving jobs away, but he didn’t hit it hard enough.

The Bailout.

Tonight’s debate might not even matter if McCain goes back to Washington and a fiscally responsible bailout package results.  I doubt the partisan Democrats will allow that to happen as it would further McCain’s cause.  Sad, because that issue is much more important for Americans than tonight’s debate.