McCain Lost Another Debate-- Even Republicans Hated Him!

Another bad day for McCain. Forget that the A.P.-- which has been an offshoot of the Republican campaign-- declared, once and for all what everyone who has paid attention already knew: i.e., that Palin stretches truth in campaign speeches. What happened today that is most important is that McCain continuously stretched the truth at the debate and presented himself as a mean little unlikable troll. And the instant polls and focus groups didn't like his performance today. The CBS poll went for Obama- with 39%, while 35% thought it was a tie and 27% thought McCain won. Obama also won the NBC News focus group of undecideds in Pennsylvania by around 60% to McCain's 40%. The CNN panel of analysts scored it for Obama 69 to McCain's 29. And the CNN poll gave it to Obama 54-30%.

Uncommitted and independent voters didn't like McCain's nasty demeanor. CNN polled likability:

Obama

Favorable: 64% after debate (60% before)
Unfave: 34% after debate (38% before)

McCain

Favorable: 51% after debate (51%)
Unfave: 46% after debate (46%)

This went over especially badly:



At a focus group I watched here in L.A., the question "Which of these guys would you rather see on your TV screen for the next 4 years," only 3 people out of 20 said McCain. Even the people who agreed with McCain on more issues than with Obama were saying they would slit their wrists rather than hear him calling them "my friends" ever again after November.

And even Fox's focus group awarded the win to Obama! GOP pollster Frank Luntz: "We seem to be getting winners out of this. Obama did better overall. " Maybe they didn't like-- as most Republicans didn't-- his offer of a bail-out for mortagage holders, something right wing bloggers are howling about. Malkin: "Disaster: Mitt Romney apparently wasn’t made aware of McCain’s new $300 billion housing entitlement plan. And Fred Thompson could barely muster up enthusiasm for McCain." And nasty til the very end, McCain refused to shake hands with Obama at the end. What an asshole! Steady hand on the tiller??? It sounds like a slogan for Obama!