A draw was a good result for the front-runner

Having watched last night’s debate properly and read the press coverage of it, it seems pretty clear that it was a draw. There was no ‘global test’ moment for either candidate and neither of them managed to put the other on the canvas.

Obama should be a lot happier with this result than McCain. First of all he is ahead so a debate that doesn’t change the dynamics of the race suits him. Secondly this was a debate on foreign policy and national security—admittedly, the first third of it was taken up with the financial crisis—which is McCain’s strongest suit. If Obama was going to have a moment where he came across as unready to lead it was most likely to be in this debate. McCain got off a string of good jabs at Obama and nearly had him on the ropes about his previous statement that he would meet with foreign leaders without preconditions but Obama managed to get through the foreign policy section with minimal harm done.

McCain must be careful not to let his frustration about Obama get the better of him. McCain repeatedly said that Obama ‘didn’t understand’ various aspects of foreign policy but he was telling not showing the audience this. While when Obama was criticising McCain’s judgment on Iraq, McCain was almost jumping up and down behind his podium.

With Obama’s lead ticking upwards in the polls, McCain really does need a game-changer at some point soon. Last night Obama knew that he had to take no risks and just stop McCain from landing a hay-maker on him. If Obama carries on like this the debates will be a draw and it’ll still be advantage Obama as polling day looms ever nearer.