It's really amazing how one debate completely turned the tide

[Psychic Octopus]

This is why chattering about how candidates are "dead" is useless and premature. For god's sake, we saw Newt Gingrich rise from the grave twice in the primaries. Things aren't over until they are over. Anything is possible.

Like another poster said, it really does seem like voters were looking for an excuse -any excuse- to abandon Obama and support Romney.  And it seems like the first debate gave it to them.  If President Obama doesn't turn the tide in the second debate, he is done. 

I concur that Obama needs a victory to regain momentum, but I'd hardly say that he is done if he loses. Obama still has an electoral advantage. The election is being fought on Bush 2004 states (with the exception of NH and WI). Now, if Romney starts pulling even in states like Michigan, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, then that'd be cause for concern.

[Psychic Octopus]

Like another poster said, it really does seem like voters were looking for an excuse -any excuse- to abandon Obama and support Romney.  And it seems like the first debate gave it to them.  If President Obama doesn't turn the tide in the second debate, he is done. 

I concur that Obama needs a victory to regain momentum, but I'd hardly say that he is done if he loses. Obama still has an electoral advantage. The election is being fought on Bush 2004 states (with the exception of NH and WI). Now, if Romney starts pulling even in states like Michigan, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, then that'd be cause for concern.

That's why I said the second debate is crucial -despite the setback in Denver, Obama still retains -as you said- an electoral advantage.  If he doesn't turn things around in New York on Tuesday, he will lose what remains of the built-in advantages of incumbency.  

Ah, OK. Then we agree. Though I think Obama's organization is stronger in those states, so I don't think the Democrats have that much to worry about. But of course, anything's possible.