Of course, policy issues are important & should have been given more time to be addressed, more fully. However, people WANT TO KNOW about the character-related questions posed in the first 45 minutes of the program. Obama's numbers have gone down in the five-six days since that debate aired, appreciably, especially nationally. Apparently quite a few viewers/potential voters had not been previously aware of (Rev) WrightGate, as well as BitterGate and found out more about Obama by watching the ABC-News debate. (Hard as that may seem for Slate readers to acknowledge...)

His performance Tuesday evening was abysmal, as so many of the previously favorable to him media 'pundits' observed on the weekend talk shows. Sam Donaldson was particularly damning and realistic Sunday morning on Stephanopoulos' program; Cokie Roberts is coming around as well. Clinton's performance was excellent, just about everyone agrees (except the "bitter" whiner-members of moveon.org). Thanks for your reply.