Mainstream

Marc Ambinder has a good point on Friday's debate- the "ordinariness" of Obama's debate performance, which perhaps annoyed some of his supporters who were hoping for more fire, may wind up being a great asset. Most low-information voters, perhaps seeing Obama for the first time, came into the debate with the idea (via Jeremiah Wright, Ayers, etc.) that he was some kind of radical, or a black nationalist, or something equally wild. By appearing rational and sober, Obama probably did a lot to reduce fears of his otherness- by being a bit stiff or boring he perhaps looked like any other Democratic Senator... which is probably just what's needed to bring in the votes of people unhappy with how the country's going, but scared of too much change.