What's Happening with Conservatives and the GOP

McCain apparently wins town hall presidential debate.  Some online polls pointed to a John McCain victory in his October 7 debate in Nashville.

The Drudge Poll online:
McCain            184,095            66%
Obama             82,809            30%
Neither              12,027             4%

Fox News Channel online:
McCain           7,652                64%
Obama            4,303               36%

CNN Opinion Research found that, before the debate, 77% said that McCain was prepared to be President.  After the debate, that rose to 82%.

CQ Politics cited John McCain's closing statement as the best moment in the debate:

"I know what it's like in dark times. I know what it's like to have to fight to keep one's hope going through difficult times. I know what it's like to rely on others for support and courage and love in tough times. I know what it's like to have your comrades reach out to you and your neighbors and your fellow citizens and pick you up and put you back in the fight.

"That's what America's all about. I believe in this country. I believe in its future.

"I believe in its greatness. It's been my great honor to serve it for many, many years.  And I'm asking the American people to give me another opportunity and I'll rest on my record, but I'll also tell you, when times are tough, we need a steady hand at the tiller and the great honor of my life was to always put my country first."

Time Magazine on McCain's performance in the debate:

"Clearly more confident talking to voters in his cherished town-hall format than standing behind a podium. Authentically displayed feel-your-pain concern over the economy, in a smoother manner than usual.Pulled off his primary task more deftly than even his aides could have hoped. The Arizona Senator was by turns aggressive, sensitive, conservative, and conversational."

Michael Gerson, Washington Post:

".McCain tonight had to be tough on Obama without seeming snide. But he did it pretty well. He had at least a dozen tough, specific, policy-oriented attacks, not Wright and Ayers, but issues about the economy, about national security judgment. And they were, you know, generally unrefuted. I thought that was pretty effective."

The Nielsen Media Research ratings of the second debate showed that 63.2 million people watched on TV, which was a whopping 10 million more than watched the first presidential debate.  However that was still 6.3 million less than the 70 million who tuned into the vice presidential debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden.

Just before the debate, the Zogby Poll on the presidential race showed:
Obama            47%
McCain            45%
Bob Barr            1%
Ralph Nader       1%