While I don’t think it will matter a great deal, I think Romney won this debate in a walk. We saw flashes of McCain at his nastiest, and he even faltered on his strongest issue — McCain really was full-throatedly supporting the surge when Romney was leaving wiggle room, and instead of making that point straightforwardly he got bogged down on a petty tangent where he was clearly in the wrong. Romney held his own, and he hit McCain on his record without seeming rude.
Now, Romney needed more than a win, and I agree with Phil: I doubt that this debate changed the dynamics of the race.
