The Recall Debate
Immediately after the recall debate, I wrote:
Most political analysts are proclaiming that “there was no winner” in last night’s debate. They’re missing the point, just like they did in the first Bush vs. Gore debate in 2000.Ordinary viewers don’t watch debates like journalists do. They’re voting for governor, not judging a debate. What voters are asking is, does the phrase “Governor Schwarzenegger” pass the smell test? After last night, it does.
Now CNN’s Bill Schneider, using that new Gallup poll, agrees:
Why the Davis drop and the Schwarzenegger surge? Answer? The debate. Two-thirds of California voters watched it last Wednesday.The big loser? Davis.
…
Opposition to Davis surged among debate watchers. They said the candidate who did best in the debate was Tom McClintock. But it didn’t do McClintock any good. It was Schwarzenegger who built up a big lead among debate watchers, not because he won, [but] because he sounded credible.
— PoliPundit