California Insider claims that no one won the debate. Perhaps that is technically true, but I disagree. If this were just an ordinary election, then, without doubt, Tom McClintock would have won the debate: Sensible, forthright, thoughtful, never petty. But this is not an ordinary election. I continue to maintain that voters will look to the outsider in this election above all others, and if they do so, they will go toward Arnold. This is not a techincal issue over so called "policy;" it is trying to find someone who is more trustworthy than the current political class. It was smart of Arnold and McClintock not to attack one another. Although over done, it was still smart of Arnold to pay attention to Huffington (even though their little shouting matches seemed quite petty, and
The New York Times called it the "Arnold and Arianna Show") because in building her up, votes are taken away from Bustamante. The latter is boring, yet full of himself, a typical arrogant machine politician. He lost votes. Arnold was the focus, and he benefitted most from the evening. The next poll will have Arnold ahead. Also, do not believe that Gray Davis can pull this out; he cannot.