Another complete game victory

One of the most enduring cliches in sports--because it's so often true--is that while offense wins games, defense wins championships.

Obama came into tonight's debate needing another steady, reassuring performance. That's what he delivered. Consistent, calm, clear, on-point. Focused on the economy, reassuring on other worries. It was the political equivalent of a very strong pitching performance for a complete-game victory.

McCain needed to shake it up, create or grow serious doubts about Obama's judgment, character, suitability to be president. In baseball terms, he needed to knock the home runs. He failed.

I watched this debate with a partisan group of Democrats, a large room full of a diverse crowd. There were few whoop and holler moments, but no cringes. The prevailing mood was confidence, and at the end, satisfaction.

What did they notice? McCain was less clear, more wandering, more angry, less capable. Obama was confident and presidential.

Nationally, let's run the numbers. CNN polling of those who watched the debate showed a dominating performance by Obama over McCain on almost every major point.

Overall stronger performance?
Obama 50, McCain 34

Obama was judged the winner by 85 to 5 among Democrats, 54 to 38 among independents, and even drew 16 percent of Republicans.

By 60 to 30 percent, viewers said Obama expressed his views more clearly; and by 54 to 43 percent, he seemed to be the stronger leader. He was judged to be better able to handle the economy--the dominant issue of the campaign--by 59 to 37 percent.

If the voting were taking place tonight, the election would be overwhelming for Obama.

So, here's the point for Mr. Grinch to arrive.

The election is not tonight. 28 days is the proverbial lifetime in politics. And most of all, Obama's margin in state after swing state is dependent on masses of young and newly registered voters actually turning out to vote.

To win, Obama must win the ground game between now and November 4, and on November 4. Complacency is a killer. Don't let it happen to us! Whatever you were planning to do to get voters out to vote this year, double it. We can, we SHOULD win, but please, please, don't let this year be another shoulda woulda coulda election. Let's make it happen in reality.