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Americans reassured by "risky" candidate's cool performance

(NEWSER) - To many pundits, the debates are forgotten, a thing of the past—but it’s quite possible they are the key to Barack Obama’s dominance in the polls, writes Robert G. Kaiser in the Washington Post. Before the debates, Obama was seen as a risky unknown. But having seen his performances, “Americans find Obama more empathetic, stronger, better prepared to be president and just more sympathetic” than they did before. More»

(NEWSER) - Tired of Joe the Plumber? His life has been turned upside since he became an unintentional media celebrity, the New York Times notes. Among the odds and ends:

• He is a single father, 34, whose real name is Samuel J. Wurzelbacher.
• He does plumbing work for a contractor but is not a licensed plumber. Ohio doesn't require it, but Toledo does. He works in Toledo and lives in its suburbs.
• He owes nearly $1,200 in back taxes.

Back on trail after debate, Republican still has Obama-baiting plumber on lips

(NEWSER) - Joe the Plumber remained a fixture of John McCain’s campaign today on the heels of his prominence in last night’s debate, the Chicago Tribune reports. “Joe's the man,” the Republican said at a rally. “He won and small businesses won across America. The American people are not going to let Sen. Obama raise their taxes in a tough economy.” More»

Without a game-changer, Republican strikes out in third debate, and race

(NEWSER) - John McCain turned in his best debate performance last night but couldn't turn it into the game-changer he needed, Sam Youngman writes in The Hill. McCain was fiercer this time, but he failed to score a direct hit on his unflappable opponent and didn't come up with any new arguments for himself—or against Barack Obama, Youngman notes. More»

Dem makes it 3 for 3 with focus on economy, health care

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama made it a clean sweep by winning the final debate last night, according to polls taken immediately afterward. CBS found 53% of undecided voters believed Obama was the clear winner, with 22% saying John McCain came out on top, and 22% calling it a draw. Viewers' favorable opinion of Obama rose from 63% to 66% in a CNN poll. More»