I stayed up and watched the first presidential debate.  And blogged about it too. Disagree with Justin Webb about the moderation (I thought Jim Lehrer did well), but agree that we don't necessarily know much more about the candidates - their policies or behaviour - than we did before. I suspect many Americans may have switched off (metaphorically or literally) at the wonkish nature of this debate and the lack of fireworks, or a clear blow to either candidate.  That reaction would be good for Obama, in the sense that McCain needs to regain the momentum in the race and doesn't seem to have done that tonight.  What did other people make of the debate, or what they're reading subsequently?

Andrew Sullivan has been effortlessly unpicking the McCain campaign since his pick of Sarah Palin. I agree with him, that there is only one word for the ticket: terrifying.

War seems to be the only means for Bush-McCain to continue politics in the last few weeks before the US election. The only way to deflect people’s attention from the domestic economic hardships and fears; and also to capitalise on McCain’s militarism!.

McCain now , all of a sudden, seems to be stealing Obama’s change-agent, pro working and middle class, clothes.

The US Tax Policy Institute’s 14 August comparative analysis (reported by Money & Markets) of the two candidates’ proposed tax burden (below) shows that 7-property-owner McCain clearly knows which side of his bread to further butter!

From reading the media coverage of the US Presidential Election since Obama won the Democratic nomination, you would think that he was a shoo-in for the Presidency in November.

In reality, John McCain is closing the gap fast:

http://www.electoral-vote.com/

A recent Rasmussen poll has McCain and Obama in a statistical dead heat, with McCain just 1% ahead. While this is the only poll to show a McCain lead, many, including Guido, have suggested McCain’s experience is showing through against Obama and a “backlash” has started after his European tour. For me the foreign trip was needed to show his statesman abilities and now he is back in the country can focus on the campaign. He will still win (I hope not to jinx him) but it will be closer than the landslide people may have been expecting. Here are the 5 reasons why Obama will carry the Presidency.