Analysts: No Game-Changer in First Debate

Sept. 27, 2008 -- The candidates did battle, and the verdict is in: Barack Obama and John McCain both appeared presidential in their first debate -- but neither man leveled with the American people about the economic storm battering the nation and the painful choices ahead.

The candidates wasted no time today trying to capitalize on their performances Friday night on the campus of the University of Mississippi.

As Obama returned to the stump, his campaign broadcast a television ad pointing out that McCain did not mention the words "middle class" once in the debate.

"John McCain doesn't get it," the ad said.

Republicans around the nation received an e-mail pitch from the McCain campaign claiming the debate showed McCain would make the better president.

"We won't win without your support," the e-mail said. "Help us by making a contribution right now."

On the morning after, analysts said the debate yielded no knockout punches or game-changing gaffes that might alter the dynamics of the race. Obama entered the debate nursing a small lead in the polls, and likely left Ole Miss with his advantage intact.

But in sidestepping controversy, Obama and McCain shed little light on how they would tackle the No. 1 issue suddenly shadowing the campaign and the nation -- how to prevent the collapse of the financial system and pay for whatever bailout is developed, analysts said.

"The moderator Jim Lehrer kept pressing the candidates, but the questioning yielded very unsatisfactory answers," said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, dean of the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Pennsylvania.

"In the circumstances the country finds itself in, this is very disappointing -- in particular coming from two candidates who promised us a different kind of politics," she said.

With the first debate behind them, both candidates could say they had achieved everything on their "to do" lists.

Obama repeatedly sought to bind McCain to the policies of President Bush and portray himself as conversant in foreign affairs -- supposedly McCain's strong suit.