Debate Analysis: Going Out With a Bang

NPR's analysts shared their instant take on tonight's debate in our live special. Below you'll find a general consensus that neither candidate knocked it out of the park, but that tonight was the best debate of the campaign.

NPR's Linda Wertheimer: "There was quite a bit of bickering... quite a bit of tit-for-tat... even though most American's say they don't like that. ... There was such a lot of tension between these two candidates that it was bothering me. ... The star of the debate -- The Plumber."

NPR's Mara Liasson: "I thought it was a pretty great debate. ... The gloves did come off tonight. McCain brought up Ayers and ACORN." McCain's attacks "didn't draw any blood. Obama was able to deflect all of them." More Liasson: "I think that format of sitting so close together made that tension more palpable. ... They really were talking to each other. My feeling is that it didn't change anything. ... Another win for Obama."

National Review's Matt Continetti: "Neither candidate wanted to be there. Obama seemed distracted. ... At this point I think he is more focused on what he will do if he is actually elected. ... McCain was there and he was throwing everything, not just the kitchen sink but the refrigerator and detergent. ... I was wondering why he didn't do this earlier in the campaign.

The Washington Post's EJ Dionne: "Voters don't like McCain's attack campaign, but in order to get Obama down he's got to attack him. ... I think McCain scored a lot of points with the people who are for him. I'm not sure that he scored any points with any of the ideological moderates."

NPR's Ron Elving: "Joe the Plumber is the new figure in the American political landscape. I think he is more successful than the average American. ... The table setting was a little more tension inducing. ... McCain had to bring it tonight, Obama seemed a little put out about that. The debate at times came across as "a bit petty. This was the most watchable and riveting debate we've had thus far."

-- Michael Olson

11:30 PM ET | 10-15-2008 | permalink

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