Despite all of the pants shitting over Obama’s performance, if you look at post-debate favorability/unfavorability data, Obama has gained ground with independents:
To the extent Romney has closed the gap, it appears that it’s due Republicans coming home, not to swaying independents.
Much ado about nothing, even though an unsubstantiated press ‘narrative‘ (that is, bullshit) is forming.
Interesting in that Romney gained about equal favourability with both Republicans (who were going to vote for him anyway) and Democrats, but none with Independents. On the other hand, Obama’s favourability with fellow Democrats didn’t drop, which means that Romney’s gains with Dems almost certainly didn’t actually change anyone’s mind.
Which, of course, makes sense, because only political junkies watch these damned things, and they’ve all made up their minds already.