Will Obama’s Stronger Debate Change Voters’ Minds?

Political pundits agree that President Obama’s debate performance was far better than his first, however most say it won’t make much of an impact with voters.

Greg Sargent, with The Washington Post said the debate was a boost for the president.

“This race will still be the dead heat tomorrow that it was yesterday, but Obama made big strides towards turning things around tonight,” he said.

But Fred Barnes, with The Weekly Standard, said he didn’t think it would help the president’s campaign.

“That Obama was stronger last night doesn’t mitigate the dire effects of the first nationally televised clash with Romney on Oct. 3,” he said.

And Jeff Greenfield, with Yahoo! News, said the debate won’t make a difference for those whose minds were changed by that first debate.

“While it’s clear that Obama’s performance will revive the enthusiasm of his supporters, it seems unlikely that it will cause those impressed by [Mitt] Romney to reconsider,” he said.

Ron Fournier, with the National Journal, summed up the views of many analysts.

“Democratic and Republican partisans will find reason to celebrate the debate but it likely did nothing to reshape the closely fought race,” he said.