Post debate: How would you rate the election at this point?

[Ronnie]

I would rate it as "Likely Obama"

[J. J.]

Tossup, lean Obama.

[Torie]

This optimistic partisan hack rates it "lean Obama."  Keep hope alive!

[Fritz]

I would rate it as "Likely Obama"

The debate changed nothing, it is still likely Obama (although 2 weeks ago it was lean McCain).

[Sbane]

Lean Obama. I think the general public probably liked Mccain's foreign policy more than some of us suspect. How the hell talking to Ahmadinejad legitimizes his stupid rants, I just do not get. We have to deal with reality that the Iranian regime is insane but that does not mean we do not engage them. Whatever....emotion trumps logic.

[Sam Spade]

Strong Lean Obama (whatever that means).  It's not Likely, quite yet.

[Eraserhead]

Lean Obama/Likely Obama

[Alcon]

Strong Lean Obama (whatever that means).  It's not Likely, quite yet.

^^^

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Lean Obama, but I really won't know for sure till Monday when all this sinks in. McCain might have done better than we think.

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

90% chance of obama winning

[Lunar]

Strong Lean Obama (whatever that means).  It's not Likely, quite yet.

^^^

Same but medium-strong lean Obama, I'm not quite at strong lean, not yet.

[Ronnie]

This optimistic partisan hack rates it "lean Obama."  Keep hope alive!

What hope?  I don't see any hope.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

And really Ronnie, your pessimism is really annoying me. If you're that sure your side has lost, change your signature. Playing into the left's hands on this forum by constantly exclaiming we're hopeless doesn't help our cause. Your sig and now this poll by mocking anyone who thinks McCain has a chance is over the top. You aren't Lief or anyone like that, but it seems like he made Two weeks ago it was McCain's race to lose, and now it's shifted. 2 weeks from now, who knows where we'll be. This is still a fluid race. It ain't over till its over.

[King]

Lean Obama right now because it is simply too early for anything to be likely or safe.  If there's no radical shift in the next two weeks, I'll upgrade it to Likely or maybe Safe depending on the state polling.

[Alcon]

And really Ronnie, your pessimism is really annoying me. If you're that sure your side has lost, change your signature. Playing into the left's hands on this forum by constantly exclaiming we're hopeless doesn't help our cause. Your sig and now this poll by mocking anyone who thinks McCain has a chance is over the top. You aren't Lief or anyone like that, but it seems like he made Two weeks ago it was McCain's race to lose, and now it's shifted. 2 weeks from now, who knows where we'll be. This is still a fluid race. It ain't over till its over.

Historians will clearly blame McCain's loss on Ronnie's Internet forum signature.

[Sbane]

This optimistic partisan hack rates it "lean Obama."  Keep hope alive!

What hope?  I don't see any hope.

Trust me your candidate still has a very good chance of winning this thing. It seems like people enjoyed the emotion MCcain showed in the debates. I think we are underestemating his performance. He will have to get better on the economy though. He has to be able to defend his tax cuts and broaden his policy beyond just cutting pork.

[Torie]

And really Ronnie, your pessimism is really annoying me. If you're that sure your side has lost, change your signature. Playing into the left's hands on this forum by constantly exclaiming we're hopeless doesn't help our cause. Your sig and now this poll by mocking anyone who thinks McCain has a chance is over the top. You aren't Lief or anyone like that, but it seems like he made Two weeks ago it was McCain's race to lose, and now it's shifted. 2 weeks from now, who knows where we'll be. This is still a fluid race. It ain't over till its over.

Political predictions are different than one's preferences. Who knew? I don't think the color of one's avatar constrains one to be a cheer leader, or tilt for the good of the team. If you have to pull your punches, you might as well cut them off.

[Lunar]

And really Ronnie, your pessimism is really annoying me. If you're that sure your side has lost, change your signature. Playing into the left's hands on this forum by constantly exclaiming we're hopeless doesn't help our cause. Your sig and now this poll by mocking anyone who thinks McCain has a chance is over the top. You aren't Lief or anyone like that, but it seems like he made Two weeks ago it was McCain's race to lose, and now it's shifted. 2 weeks from now, who knows where we'll be. This is still a fluid race. It ain't over till its over.

JSoj predicted that the race was over for Obama many weeks ago, but it'd be ridiculous for Democrats to tell him to change who he roots for.

Nothing's wrong with pessimism, it's actually a bit refreshing after reading that entire debate reaction thread.  God forbid we attempt objectively analyze anything on this forum.

[Likely Voter]

I am going to go out on a limb and say likely Obama

I think before the conventions the undecideds were were split failry evenly between the parties and indies. After the conventions I think McCain scooped up a lot more GOPers than Obama didi with the dems. I think this debate will finish the deal with the dems and Obama will move up mostly based on finally solidifying the party, including those 'Reagan dems' and the 'hillary voters'

Obama can easily win by splitting indies or even losing indies and bringing in the dems to the same levels as Kerry and Gore. I think this debate combined with the economy will do that.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

And really Ronnie, your pessimism is really annoying me. If you're that sure your side has lost, change your signature. Playing into the left's hands on this forum by constantly exclaiming we're hopeless doesn't help our cause. Your sig and now this poll by mocking anyone who thinks McCain has a chance is over the top. You aren't Lief or anyone like that, but it seems like he made Two weeks ago it was McCain's race to lose, and now it's shifted. 2 weeks from now, who knows where we'll be. This is still a fluid race. It ain't over till its over.

JSoj predicted that the race was over for Obama many weeks ago, but it'd be ridiculous for Democrats to tell him to change who he roots for.

Nothing's wrong with pessimism, it's actually a bit refreshing after reading that entire debate reaction thread.  God forbid we attempt objectively analyze anything on this forum.

I know JS has been pretty pessimistic, but I'm getting wary of every post from Ronnie somehow bringing up how hopeless things are, plus he has it in his signature and polls.

I like Ronnie and I enjoy his posts and talking with him on this forum and I consider him an ally. I just wish he wasn't so overtly doom and gloom to the point where it becomes too much.

[Sam Spade]

Strong Lean Obama (whatever that means).  It's not Likely, quite yet.

^^^

Same but medium-strong lean Obama, I'm not quite at strong lean, not yet.

Ugh.  Whatever 2-1 odds mean.

Anyway, my ranking is subject to revision vis-a-vis post debate polls, which won't come until Monday at the earliest/Tuesday for the tracking.  I have a couple of things that I'm looking for that others have failed to point out yet.  I also tend to be leery of quick "snap" polls, but that's just me.

[J. J.]

I think the key will be the bailout plan.

Obama didn't die tonight, and neither did McCain.  Both gave hideous answers on the economy; if McCain would lay it out better, he might.

McCain looked animated, vigorous, not old.  Neither looked presidential.  Obama didn't look like a deer caught in the headlights, but he said "You're right, John" too many times.

[Lunar]

Sam: Haha.  I'm just joshin' with my verbage, but that I do feel the race is just a hair over "Lean Obama" - so I wasn't really making fun of your post.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Lean Obama, but certainly closer to Likely than Tossup.

[Lief 🗽]

Lean Obama, but certainly closer to Likely than Tossup.

I agree with this answer. Lean Obama moving (rapidly) in the direction of Likely Obama.