This round up on BBC of various “pundits’ views” on the debate was very interesting. 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19827388

Almost all commentators seemed to give Romney the win (albeit sometimes grudgingly), except MSNBC, which just didn’t quite seem to be able to go there:

It’s impossible to judge a winner tonight. It’s not up to anyone on the debate stage or in this room. The answer is in the polling, and we will start to get that next week. If there’s no movement in the polls this debate will mean nothing. It would have been entirely neutral. There was nothing said in that debate that was memorable 10 minutes later.

“Trickle down government” was a pretty good sound bite

I find myself impatient with the whole win-lose approach, which supposes objective, formal measures that don’t exist. Both men stated their positions on a variety of policy issues, and did highlight their differences.  Gov. Romney “won”, I suppose, by having exposure unmediated by an unsympathetic press. Both men benefited, in fact, we all benefited, by hearing extended explanations rather than soundbites. So out was a worthwhile couple of hours, st least for me. I’m looking forward to the rest of them.

If Obama loses, it will be partly because of the stagnant job market.  While there may be some slight improvement in the market in big cities, there has been no improvement at all in the job market in the country’s small towns, and this will tell at the polls.  While Governor Romney’s not perfect and does have his faults, I would rather put my trust in his intentions, should he be elected.  President Obama’s dismal record is working against him…..especially here in Merced County, California.

Off Topic
Cennydd13
Didn’t know you were so close. I used to live in Merced for the better part of four years. In fact I expect to be down there this Sunday for Fr. David’s elevation to Archpriest. Do you go to St. Luke’s?

Our paper used the “Tangle Over Economy” headline.  It pretty much has declined into simply being a re-publication service of New York Times and AP articles, so I’m not surprised.  I don’t think many people read it any more.

Michael Moore said that, after the debate, he would not be surprised if Obama voted to Romney.

Nate Silver is currently giving Obama an 86.1% chance of winning the election—and while that number does not yet include the reaction of the polls to the first debate, his model does include a built-in assumption that the economy will continue to erode Obama’s support between now and Nov. 6th.

So, speaking as someone who will vote for Obama, I’m still cautiously optimistic.

5.  No, I’m a member of St Alban’s in Los Banos, but I do know Father Perry.  He’s our Rural Dean of Yosemite Deanery.