McCain vs. Obama: Punches but no Knockouts

There’s no debate.

It’s news when national candidates meet face-to-face, as they did last night at the University of Mississippi.

Past political debates have been front-page news — whether it was presidential contenders John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon in 1960 and Jimmy Carter vs. Gerald Ford in 1976 or vice presidential hopefuls George H.W. Bush vs. Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and Lloyd Bentsen vs. Dan Quayle in 1988.

The McCain-Obama debate was no exception. It was top news across the U.S.

“McCain, Obama clash sharply on financial crisis, war policy,” The Boston Globe said.

The debate provided main headlines for many newspapers. But front pages also provided an important feature – analysis.

In 1976, the St. Paul (Minn.) Dispatch (published 1861-1984) proclaimed: “Neither Ford nor Carter won 1st round.” History repeated itself last night:

* The Plain Dealer of Cleveland: “Toe-to-toe, but no KO.”
* Los Angeles Times: “Few hits, no errors.”
* The Tennessean, Nashville: “Both score points, but no clear victor.”
* Times-Picayune of New Orleans: “Senators land punches but no knockouts.”