A lively debate, but no KOs

Last night's debate was the most exciting of the three debates. Lots of verbal sparring. Plenty of tough talk. John McCain could not let go of "Joe the Plumber." Barack Obama kept his cool. McCain let the nation know that his hero, Rep. John Lewis, hurt his feelings. Obama gave what should be the final word on the Bill Ayers "controversy" manufactured by the McCain/Palin Campaign. He also called it the "centerpiece" of McCain's campaign. He is, sadly, right. McCain announced he isn't President Bush.

Republicans (like John McCain's brother, Joe) have been pleading for the campaign to let the "real" John McCain come out. But we've been seeing the "real" McCain for weeks now. He's a man obsessed with holding on to power. You could see him cracking slightly in last night's debate: that brittle smile covering up a permanent scowl, that soft yet pointed voice barely concealing -- sometimes not concealing at all -- very real rage.

A CBS poll of uncommitted voters gave Obama the victory. So did a CNN poll. Veteran political strategist David Gergen observed: "It appears that Obama will come out of these debates with a general public perception that he has won three in a row."

Even McCain defenders have to concede that there were no "There you go again" moments, no "Are you better off than you were four years ago" coups. With three weeks to go until the election, McCain seems almost as weary as he is angry, and victory appears beyond his grasp. Which is good for the nation, but it is, nevertheless, sad to watch.