A few weeks ago, when McCain had all the momentum coming out of the RNC, it was quite obvious that the drama in this race was far from over.  It was apparent that the momentum would shift multiple times between then and election day.  Nowadays, the MSM is doing their best to portray the race as over.  Obama is as good as President, really, so why bother arguing any more, can’t we just call this one on a mercy rule?  Yeah, well, not so fast.  We are four weeks away from the day the American public goes to the polls.  That is an absolute eternity in the New Media world.  Every minute counts, every word, every statement, every gaffe.

Tonight’s debate has the potential to change the direction of the race on a dime.  I, and I know many others on the right, am hoping that McCain will take advantage of the opportunity to re-introduce Barack Obama to the country, so to speak.  His campaign has been sharpening their attacks of late on Obama’s associations with radicals.  That’s good.  I want to hear McCain state it plainly.  Something like, “Bill Ayers is not someone you nor I would even shake hands with, and Barack Obama has worked closely with him, funded his endeavors, and launched his political career in his home.”

We’ll be blogging on the debate as it unfolds, stay tuned.

9:04 I’m deep in enemy territory at my best friend’s bar, way into Brooklyn.  I’d say there is a very, very high likelihood of my being the only conservative in a room of 40.  This should be fun.  I’m excited to have my finger right on the pulse of Obamanation, NYC-style.

9:05 We’re not even a minute in, and Barack Obama already blamed this on George Bush’s failed policies (said in that annoying Barack Obama way).  McCain’s answer didn’t pounce on it, and it’s an opportunity lost.  What a shame. 

I will say, though, that it’s quite clear McCain has done this many more times than Obama.  He’s walking around and making eye contact.  Clearly in his element. 

9:13 Pointing at Obama and saying his cronies and his friends...I love it. 

9:16 Maybe at some point people will realize that not everybody has the god given right to live in a home?  Perhaps they should rent?  Maybe?

9:21 Is it plausible that an Obama presidency would reign in spending?  McCain’s turn on spending and waste.  He’s good on this issue but it’s a bit painful listening to two Senators talk about how they’re going to reform Washington.

9:23 Just read a great comment on the Corner, “You can’t out liberal a liberal.” Perfect explanation of why Obama keeps getting the upper hand on the economy.

9:26 The bar is enjoying Obama’s performance thus far.  They enjoy the attacks on George Bush more than anything against McCain.

9:30 Obama brings up 9/11, lets see where he goes with this.

9:31 Obviously, he doesn’t bring up 9/11 to rally Americans together or to make a patriotic point, no, he brings it up to take an irrelevant cheap shot at W.

9:34 Obama links tax cuts with “Fortune 500 CEOs,” smart.  See, can’t out liberal a liberal.

9:35 McCain hits back, links Obama with Hoover and tax increases in difficult times.  Brings up small businesses and Obama’s plan to raise taxes dramatically on them.  Beautiful, great point.  The best thing McCain can do in this debate is expose the truth behind Obama’s talking points.  Throw in some exposition of his radical associations and you’ll have inserted some doubt into the minds of independents and undecideds, which will lead to a slow erosion in Obama’s lead.

9:39 Here he goes again with the tax cut for “95%” of the American people.  Nonsense.  McCain needs to nail him on this.

9:40 I’d love to hear McCain say, “It’s not plausible to say that I’m the big bad mean Republican and I only want to take care of the rich.  That’s just not plausible Senator Obama.  The truth is....”

9:42 “Record vs. rhetoric.” Nice.

9:45 Bringing up nuclear power, and then throwing in that he was on a navy ship that ran on it...good work Mac. 

9:49 About time McCain clarified why he “voted against alternative energy.” Two birds with one stone, cleared it up and separated himself from Bush/Cheney. 

9:56 Bingo!  Fundamental difference between Obama and McCain...Obama thinks health care is a right.  Perhaps he doesn’t remember that we’re free people that need to fight for our survival.  The more we give, provide, offer, and endow rights...the more we look like Europe.  Who will pay for our military and defense then? 

10:04 Moving on to foreign policy gives McCain the upper hand by default.  Obama’s been spouting out nonsense about Iraq, but fails to take into account that the American public now thinks it’s going well.  Stick to the economy Obambi, your socialist rhetoric sounds good in these scary times.

10:10 The crowd at the bar is getting rowdy.  They’re amped up over the foreign policy debate, cheering for Obama and jeering at McCain. It’s mostly old man snickering comedy.  I’m tempted to start yelling truth into the crowds.

10:11 The foreign policy debate inevitably turns into McCain as the schoolteacher giving a lesson to Obama the student.  I like it.  This debate is pretty even at this point.  If anything, given the emphasis on the economy, I’d give Obama the upper hand thus far, but the subject matter has shifted in McCain’s favor.  Let’s see if he can capitalize.

10:13 John Podhoretz at Contentions:

‘We’ll Crush Al Qaeda’

So says Obama. We have, Senator. In Iraq.

10:16 The jokes in the bar have gone to exclusively Old Man jokes.  I sense frustration.

10:17 Obama completely whiffs on Afghanistan.  McCain has an opening so big you could drive a bus full of Obama’s closest radical friends through it.

10:19 McCain somewhat capitalizes.  I would have taken a surge bat to Obama’s head on that question, but McCain sounded confident and knowledgeable on Afghanistan and how the surge in Iraq serves as a good model for what needs to be done there.

10:21 McCain is looking impatient.  He’s probably thinking the same thing all of us are: where the hell is the Obama radical connections question?  There are only 10 minutes left and it looks like McCain may not have an opportunity to get in any attacks on Obama’s character.  Still, I think it’s better for him to pass on it instead of forcing the issue.  There are still 4 weeks left to educate the American public on the real Barack Obama.  Don’t force it.

10:25 Two more questions.  Let’s see it.

10:26 First question is about Iran attacking Israel.  Knock it out of the park Johnny.

10:27 Nails Obama on meeting with Ahmadinejad without preconditions.  Stands up for Israel.  Talks about a League of Democracies.  “At the end of the day my friends, we can never allow a second holocaust to take place.”

10:27 Obama:  We cannot allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.  Says he’ll never take military option off the table.  I like it so far.  Not that I believe a word of it, but I like to know that as crazy as the American left has gone over the past 7 years, a Democratic presidential nominee still has this issue right (at least in talking points).  Then Obama says he wants to talk with our enemies, this always sounds naive.

10:30 Last question.....What don’t you know, and how will you learn it.  Sufficiently open-ended to allow each of the candidates to talk about absolutely anything.

10:31 Obama’s closing is strong.  This guy is good at what he does.  Let’s admit it, he’s full of shit, but it’s shiny golden shit and he sells it well.

10:32 McCain’s turn.  Starts out strong, identifies himself with the American people.  “I believe in this country, I believe in its future, I believe in its greatness.”

10:35 Overall it was a great debate.  No knockdowns, no knockouts, no game changers.  McCain was smart not to force the Ayers issue.  4 more weeks to go.  Anything can happen.