Our Debate Focus Group

About two dozen Obama, McCain and undecided voters gathered at Springfield's Fox & Hound to watch the first presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. Ruscell Pavlin, pictured above, said she's an undecided voter. Afterwards, she scored the debate as an Obama victory. But two other Obama supporters told me they thought McCain won the 90-minute face-off.
WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT

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Number of e-mails from the Obama press shop during the debate: 22

Number of e-mails from McCain press shop during the debate: 19 (amended from earlier, apparently I wasn't on the list)

Number of e-mails from Mo.GOP during the debate: 2

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McCain already has a web video from the debate HERE

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MCCAIN CAMPAIGN STATEMENT:

"John McCain won this debate and controlled the dialogue throughout, whether it was the economy, taxes, spending, Iraq or Iran. There was a leadership gap, a judgment gap, and a boldness gap on display tonight, a fact Barack Obama acknowledged when he said John McCain was right at least five times," said McCain spokesperson Jill Hazelbaker.

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OBAMA CAMPAIGN STATEMENT:

"This was a clear victory for Barack Obama on John McCain’s home turf. Senator McCain offered nothing but more of the same failed Bush policies, and Barack Obama made a forceful case for change in our economy and our foreign policy. While foreign policy was supposed to be John McCain’s top issue, Barack Obama commanded that part of the debate with a clear call to responsibly end a misguided war in Iraq so that we can finish the fight against al Qaeda in Afghanistan. John McCain needed a game-changer tonight, and by any measure he didn’t get it," said Obama-Biden campaign manager David Plouffe.

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SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL STATEMENT:

"John McCain is clearly focused on the past and defending the economic and foreign policies of the Bush Administration. What a clear contrast. Barack Obama has his eyes firmly on the future and how to help middle class families. He understands that we must quit spending 10 billion a month in Iraq while the Iraqi government runs up billions in surplus. And he showed his complete understanding of the threat of the Taliban and Al- Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Barack Obama is ready for this job."
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SEN. KIT BOND STATEMENT:
"Senator Obama is trying to hamstring our troops with budget cuts. He wants to micro-manage our uniformed commanders in the field, and he is threatening the hard-earned American success the Petraeus plan has delivered on the ground. It is a recipe for American failure that we cannot afford to tolerate."
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GOV. MATT BLUNT STATEMENT:
"Senator McCain was the clear victor in tonight's debate. John McCain showed Missourians his leadership qualities and his experience on foreign policy which again highlighted Barack Obama's weaknesses on this critical issue. John McCain also demonstrated that he is the only candidate for president who will address wasteful spending in Washington and help America become energy independent."





POLL UPDATE: So, at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Barack Obama had 1 vote. By 2:33 a.m, he had 61. Can you say Obama listserv? Those Obama folks sure work late;)