Obama 3, McCain: 0

Barack Obama won the 3rd and final debate against John McCain by a large margin according to all of the post debate polls & focus groups. John McCain appeared to be erratic & angry. Even more erratic and angry than he appeared in the first two debates. This was his worst performance yet. Obama finished the three debates with three clear victories.

McCain spent most of his time attacking Obama (unsuccessfully) instead of talking about the direction he would take America. Obama, on the other hand, spent his time talking about his policy positions in a clear detailed manner. While McCain seemed intent on trying to agitate Obama, he never came close to rattling him.

McCain appeared to be unhinged and angry while Obama was calm & collected. It was a huge contrast between between two candidates. One who is desperately throwing ridiculous attacks, and another who is calmly stating his case for America in a Presidential way.

CNN Poll: Obama 58%, McCain 31%
CBS News Poll***: Obama 53%, McCain 22%, Tie 25%

Possibly most telling is that the CNN poll had Barack Obama’s favorable % going from 63% before the debate to 66% after the debate, while McCain’s went from 51% before the debate to 49% after the debate. Obama’s lead in favorable % went from 12% before the debate to 17% after the debate. That’s a large movement that could show up as a surge for Obama in the tracking polls in the coming days.

***The CBS News poll is only of uncommitted voters which make the results that much more impressive for Obama.