"That One"

As Chris Matthew's opened up the 12am hour it seemed as if he was just getting warmed up. Meanwhile, CNN pressed play on the debate re-run feed, this time with the dial graphic.

Here's what most of cable and blogtown has agreed on:

Obama wins two ways in tonight's town hall debate.

First victory, his message and delivery: Obama was confident, calm and commanding. Strongest in the beginning on the economy and health care.

Second victory, McCain at his best just seemed to be catching up; at worst, aggressive , non-compelling and patronizing. He ended strongly on his history of service and petition (plea) for a chance to do so as president.

The refrain from Politico's Roger Simon and many more. "He loses by Not Winning." (Now go thank Yogi Berra for that phrasing).

Here's what was completely absent from this debate: education and wedge issues and personal character attacks.

Since most of the questions were citizen generated, curated by 'back from retirement Brett Farve' - Tom Brokaw, the main concerns of American's to no surprise were the economy, the economy, the economy, energy, health care, foreign policy, and what they don't know and how they will learn it.

Polls and this debate should make Obama supporters feel confident, but they should not become too comfortable.

Despite McCain's unwillingness on T.V to accuse Obama of consorting with terrorists or being un-American as his campaign has done quite insidiously, does not mean that his sewer campaign will cease tomorrow.

The focus of it, identity: we are like you, he is not. Such ugliness will be executed by Governor Palin, a woman who makes everyone feel O.K to distrust stuff.

Lodge Porch is heading to Ohio on Thursday and will be filing posts from that battleground state.

Stay tuned on Friday as I will be at Senator Obama's rally in Columbus.