Quick Debate Thoughts...

Understanding the true effect of the debate probably requires removing everything you know about policy, political philosophy, and most actual facts.  Voters in the middle seem to have little interest in any of that.   I think Romney's performance was appealing in that he seemed level-headed, passionate about his alternative to Obama, and smart.  I think all the policy stuff is irrelevant to swing voters, who likely are going to go with who "felt" better.  On this measure, Romney came off as a fresh challenge to Obama, who looked tired and weakened by what these voters might just view as his failures.