My take on the debate? Tie goes to Obama

I watched the debate at the Rusty Nail, a no-nonsense joint in Saranac Lake.

My first take-away was that every drinker in the bar – including one very serious drinker – was watching intently.

What does that say about this election, when a Tuesday night debate takes top billing at the Rusty Nail. People are dialed in.

My second take-away? It was a tie. The victory on points could go to either side, depending on your partisan leanings.

Unfortunately for McCain, a tie probably goes to Obama. Obama owns the momentum currently and I saw nothing tonight that would change that.

John McCain threatened to take the gloves off and I didn’t see that happen. Some cross words were spoken.

Ultimately, it was pretty dull. Which Obama has to love.

Think I missed something? Leave a comment.

Now for some fine point stuff:

McCain has a very 19th century debating style. Formal postures, zingers, repeats phrases like “My friends.”

Obama is more post-Clinton, a kind of practiced naturalism. His speaking is stiff, professorial at times, but his body language is relaxed — more dinner party than soapbox.

On the issues, I felt like there was zero new ground covered here. Pretty similar talking points and narratives.

Weakest moments:

Obama talking about Russia and the crisis in Georgia – he sounded muddled, as if rifling through cue cards in his mind.

McCain talking about healthcare. His plan is complicated — and he hasn’t found a way to talk about it yet.