On Fox News, Brit Hume charitably described McCain as sporting a “peculiar” expression on his face while listening to Obama. “I don't know,” he then said to conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer, who agreed that Obama, by contrast, was a man of “remarkable self-containment.”

But his performance in the third debate was, in fact, incredibly Bush-like, mirroring Bush's signature stubbornness — especially on Iraq — by doubling down on a failed strategy.

McCain's reliance on angry, negative, personal attacks on Obama — including the pathetic Ayers smear and ACORN “destroying the fabric of democracy” — has been an unequivocal failure, with the poll numbers to prove it. But instead of course-correcting, McCain doubled down tonight — coming across as angrier and meaner than ever before.

This debate wasn't decided on the arguments being made. It was won on the reaction shots. Every time Obama spoke, McCain grimaced, sneered, rapidly blinked, or rolled his eyes. “He looked like Captain Ahab, again and again going after Moby Dick,” John Cusack told me. “Or an animal caught in a bear trap. He even seemed pissed at Joe the Plumber.”

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It was like watching a split-screen double feature — Grumpy Old Men playing side by side with Cool Hand Luke.

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The results over at CBS show Obama to have scored the biggest victory to date: “Fifty-three percent of the uncommitted voters surveyed identified Democratic nominee Barack Obama as the winner of tonight's debate. Twenty-two percent said Republican rival John McCain won. Twenty-four percent saw the debate as a draw.”

It is, the site writes, “a clean sweep” for the Illinois Democrat.

Over at CNN, a separate poll of several hundred debate watchers again favored the Democrat by large margins: 58 percent for Obama to McCain's 31 percent. Perhaps more importantly, McCain's favorable rating dropped 51 to 49 while his unfavorable rating increased from 45 percent to 49 percent. Obama ended up with 66 percent favorable rating.

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Before the debate:

McCain: 54 favorable / 34 unfavorable

Obama: 42 favorable / 42 unfavorable

After the debate:

McCain: 50 favorable / 48 unfavorable

Obama: 72 favorable / 22 unfavorable

Obama: “The fundamentals of the economy were weak” zing!

McCain: Said he doesn’t want to ask Obama a question. He’s talking directly to the people…sounds familiar! Talking about some plumber named Joe who met Obama and wanted to buy some business. Obama would raise his taxes. Now he’s looking at the camera speaking to “Joe”.

Obama: Said it sounds like he’s been listening to McCain ads. zing! Obama explains, yet again, his tax plan. Talks about Joe the Plumber.

McCain: Joe the plumber again. We need to spread the wealth around. He wants Joe the Plumber to spread the wealth around. Why would you want to tax ANYone?