Again, our numbers show Sen. Barrack Obama the technical winner over Sen. John McCain in the third and final presidential debate conducted by Bob Schieffer of CBS News at Hofstra University in New York.
Sen. Obama scored a total of 74 points over Sen. McCain, 62 points.
We use a subjective analysis, based on the ideas the candidates share, their ability to communicate simply and clearly, and their passion -- essentially, whether the ideas they expressed were true, emotional, and heartfelt, or whether they were coldly crafted in the campaign war room.
In essence, you score well if you have a clear idea, you express it clearly and coherently, and you believe it. Your answer is everything. If you do well, we are single-mindedly focused your message. We understand it. We aren't watching you trying to fabricate or manufacture a response.
We scored each candidate's principal answer (on a scale of 1-5, five being best), and we scored each follow-up answer (on a scale of 1-3, three being best).
Here's what we saw and assessed:
Why is your economic recovery plan better?
Obama 10
McCain 9
What new spending will you postpone or delay?
Obama 10
McCain 6
You pledged to take the high road, but why is your campaign nasty?
Obama 11
McCain 10
Why are we better off with your vice presidential candidate?
McCain 8
Obama 7
By how much will you reduce our dependence on foreign oil in your first term?
McCain 7
Obama 7
How do you balance controlling health care costs vs. expanding coverage?
Obama 8
McCain 4
Will you nominate a Supreme Court justice who disagrees with you?
Obama 8
McCain 7
We spend more per capita on education, but why do we trail most countries in the world on outcomes?
Obama 8
McCain 6
Closing statement
Obama 5
McCain 5
This was a debate about domestic affairs. Therefore, no discussion on foreign affairs, typically a strength for Sen. McCain.
In an additional analysis, based on what drives or motivates people (or presidential candidates) to do what they do, and express themselves the way they do, Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain were evenly matched on 10 out of a total of 16 criteria.
Where they differed:
Obama more curious, more interested in the search for truth.
Obama more interested in people, and how they live and connect.
Obama more interested in families.
Obama more reflective of peace and tranquility.
McCain more competitive.
McCain more energetic, and energized (although restrained).
Still, in this debate, no coherent vision for America expressed by either candidate.
We know how they compete against each other. We know how they square off on the issues. We have a sense of what they supported and voted for in the Congress. We know where they stand on health care, the economy, social issues, energy, education.
But how would you, as a voter, definitively -- and positively -- describe their vision for the America they want to build, based on what they said tonight?
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