The Stretch Run

The final debate is in the books. Who was the winner?

There are a number of views about who won, but it appears that the most widely held view is that Gov. Romney passed the "Commander-In-Chief" test. That is, he looked like a guy who was qualified to handle the foreign policy and military apparatus of the world's greatest power.

Many rabid partisans (including, to an extent, yours truly) wanted Romney to go after the President, particularly regarding the Benghazi consulate attack. Romney apparently decided to be "Presidential" and avoid the confrontation. The plan was that he should not give anyone the idea that he was a scary war-monger. Romney also tried to connect foreign policy to the economy. Many pundits seem to suggest that this was a winning strategy.

Some post debate polls seem to bear this out. While Obama was seen to have "won" the debate, those same polls showed that strong majorities saw him as being qualified to be the Commander-In-Chief. Also, big majorities said that the economy is the number one issue and they were clearly convinced that Romney has the edge in that realm.

Finally, Obama took some rather petty cheap shots at Romney. He was trying to get Romney's goat. Romney did not take the bait and the President looked small in comparison.

Based on the change in the race for the White House since debate number one, it seems pretty clear that the Romney campaign came out on top after the debate season.