According to the Nielsen ratings, 52.5 million people sat down to watch the first presidential debate across both the national networks and cable news channels.  Considering his performance, it’s no wonder John McCain has seen his poll numbers drop.

So what does this mean for the VP debate? Considering the interest in how Sarah Palin will do after what can only be considered a disastrous week and a half I think this could turn out to be a major draw for viewers wondering if Governor Moose-Killer will sink or swim.

I have to wonder what the McCain-Palin campaign was thinking when they decided to give Katie Couric pretty much unlimited and uncensored access to Sarah Palin.  Were they expecting sweet, Today show Katie Couric to lob softballs?  Hell, even on Today Couric was known for more than her fair share of gotcha questions; did no one remember her interview with George H. W. Bush?  Anyway, yet another interview has surfaced and it only continues the conventional wisdom that Palin is a complete fool.  Maybe the McCain campaign was thinking that letting “Sarah be Sarah” would endear her to the voters and lower expectations for her debate with the far more experienced Joe Biden.  Unfortunately, it’s had the opposite effect on voters so much that even Republican pundits think she should step down.  Yeah, it may lower expectations for her performance in the debate, but at this point all she really has to do is show up and it’ll be considered a coup.  I feel a little sorry for Joe Biden.

Looks like an unpopular president, frightened Republicans, and a lack of strong leadership on the part of Nancy Pelosi have killed the bailout plan.  In response the Dow fell 778 points, the biggest point drop ever.  Where was John McCain when you needed him? (Please note sarcasm.)  I can’t say I’m all that unhappy about this.  The idea of giving $700 billion dollars to a group of people who are to blame for the whole mess just sounded like more of a mistake.  Does there need to be a bailout?  Maybe, but it sure as hell doesn’t need to be $700 billion with little oversight and no help for the average American.

There are reports flying about that the McCain campaign would like to see Bristol Palin marry here baby daddy before the election. Why?  Well, it would the distraction to beat all distractions and prop up a campaign that has, in a very short time, gone downhill.  But here’s the question: would this help John McCain get elected?  Do they really believe the electorate is that stupid?  Oh, sure, it would be a major distraction from the campaign and Barack Obama would find it difficult to get any attention, but would it sway voters?  Yeah, the Evangelicals would love the idea of a shot-gun wedding — pro-life and all that BS — but I seriously don’t believe many undecided voters are going to choose McCain-Palin because her pregnant teenage daughter has a swanky wedding.

If this is true – and at this point do we really know what the “truth” is when it comes to the McCain campaign? – I think it would flop big time.  The Obama campaign could, and should, turn this against McCain.  Here’s John McCain attending a lavish wedding for a pregnant teenager when kids all over America have trouble getting enought to eat, go to the doctor, or get a decent education.  It would be so easy to turn this against McCain if Obama was willing to go for it.

You know, I really feel sorry for Levi Johnston.  Here this guy is, eighteen years old, probably getting laid for the first time, didn’t use protection because his future mother-in-law is such a right winger that his school probaby only taught abstinence (or he’s an idiot), and now he and his unborn child are being used in games of political one upmanship.  Moreover, he will probably be forever tied to Bristol Palin or face the wrath of Mama Troopergate.  We should all feel sorry for the kid.  His life is seriously fucked.

I’ve never been a big fan of Tina Fey, I really can’t stand 30 Rock, and I thought Baby Mama was stupid, but I have to say her impression of Sarah Palin is simply hilarious.  Amy Poehler, as well, is hilarious just with the facial expressions she makes.

Talk about Sarah Palin being dropped by the McCain campaign has been increasing lately and people are wondering where she was after the first debate.  The Obama campaign had Joe Biden out taking down McCain and he was fantastic!  “John’s judgement was dead wrong” is a great line. So where was Sarah Palin?  They had that fool Giuliani out there, but where was Senator McCain’s running mate? Probably hidden away so she couldn’t embarrass herself, her party, and most of all John McCain.

Could this mean she’s outta there?  Hell, I don’t know how all that political BS works.  I do find it interesting that Rudy Giuliani has had such a presence in the McCain campaign lately; being on the plane, out there standing up for John McCain.  Personally, I think dumping Sarah Palin a few days before the VP debate would be a disaster, but McCain’s decisions lately have been a bit disastrous.  Could Giuliani save the day?  He could certainly hold his own in a debate with Joe Biden and wouldn’t need a lot of prep, but considering how unpopular Giuliani was during the primary I doubt he could win a lot of new voters — especially if he starts invoking September 11.

Then there are the right wingers who have orgasms about Sarah Palin being on the ticket. If Senator McCain was to dump her in favor of Giuliani he would certainly lose the Conservative religious vote when you consider Giuliani has stated in the past that he’s pro-gray rights, supports limied gun control, is rather moderate on immigration, does not support a ban on so-called partial birth abortions, and is pro-choice.  At this point, I think dumping Sarah Palin would be political suicide.  Of course, Senator McCain seems to be in lose-lose situation with Governor Palin:  if he dumps Palin he loses the people she brings to the party; if he keeps Palin he has to deal with the fact that more and more people are discovering she just doesn’t know what the hell she’s talking about.

America lost one of its great actors yesterday.  Paul Newman died in his home surrounded by friends and family at the age of 83.  Man, when you think about the roles this man has played!  One of the greats has passed on.

The consensus seems to be that Senator Barack Obama came out the winner in the first debate.  Not sure that means a whole hell of lot. I guess time will tell, but what should be worrying the McCain campaign is this debate was supposed to be John McCain’s area of expertise and not only did he come off as out of step with the rest of the country but stuck in the past.  I mean, how many times did he invoke the name of Ronald Reagan?  Yeah, The Gipper remains the president Republicans admire most; they’ve had little else to be proud of considering the two Bush presidencies.  However, what worked for Ronald Reagan nearly thirty years ago isn’t necessarily what American needs in the 21st century.  I don’t know what this will do for either candidate, but I don’t think John McCain will win undecideds by invoking the past. Another reason why the McCain campaign probably isn’t celebrating (at least privately) is because the next debate will be with Sarah Palin.  She could surprise us all, but if the last few weeks are any indication she may turn out to be the last nail in the coffin of the McCain campaign. Hopefully, Senator Obama (and Joe Biden) can stay on message and have no major gaffes leading up to the election.

This was kind of boring.  I was hoping for a whole more fireworks, but considering the two men up there it just wasn’t going to happen.  I’m not sure anyone came out ahead here.  John McCain made sure to bring up Senator Obama’s inexperience and “naivete” on several occasion, but Obama did a good job of hitting back at those accusations.

I thought Obama did very well during the economic portion during the beginning but I really think it was a draw in the second part about foreig policy.  Obviously the candidates disagree, they are fundmentally different people, but I don’t John McCain successful made Obama look bad or uninformed.  Hell, in the end John McCain was grasping at straws by trying to compare Senator Obama to George Bush!

So the question being thrown about today is who should Obama debate if it turns out John McCain is too chicken to come down to Mississippi?  First of all, it certainly should not be Sarah Palin.  She is not the person running for president of this country, John McCain is the person at the topic of the ticket.  Will John McCain send Sarah Palin out every time something goes bad?  That would be my first question is I were Senator Obama.

Second, if McCain can’t bother to share his thoughts with the country don’t replace him with anyone.  This debate is taking place in a very Southern, very Conservative state.  Senator Obama standing there taking questions from what will surely be a mostly pro-Republican group could be the best thing for him.  If he can engage these people it will only help his candidacy.

All that being said, I don’t think John McCain is foolish enough to just not show up.  He and the Republicans can spin this all they want, but they would be giving Senator Obama an opportunity to present his view to America uncontested.  It would be very hard to come back from that.  It wouldn’t change the 40% plus that are already going to vote for Senator McCain, but it could sway the namby-pamby independents.

UPDATE:  Looks like the debate is on.  I wodner what the audience will be for this debate?  Considering the attention it’s getting this debate might just be a ratings winner for everyone.