--- title: Grading the Final Presidential Debate description: Barack ObamaSubstance:Intelligent, knowledgeable and an earnest explainer, as always, but to no real effect. Though he conveyed a general sense of his agenda, he did... canonical: https://time.com/archive/6936431/grading-the-final-presidential-debate/ author: Mark Halperin article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2008-10-15T04:00:00.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-03-23T05:20:22.964Z article:section: Politics og:title: Grading the Final Presidential Debate og:description: Barack ObamaSubstance:Intelligent, knowledgeable and an earnest explainer, as always, but to no real effect. Though he conveyed a general sense of his agenda, he did... og:url: https://time.com/archive/6936431/grading-the-final-presidential-debate/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blta4a16ce47b61c190/698a4ec69d83e82638b9953d/360_obama_mccain_1016.jpg?branch=production&width=360&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 360 og:image:height: 203 og:image:alt: 360_obama_mccain_1016.jpg og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Grading the Final Presidential Debate twitter:description: Barack ObamaSubstance:Intelligent, knowledgeable and an earnest explainer, as always, but to no real effect. Though he conveyed a general sense of his agenda, he did... twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blta4a16ce47b61c190/698a4ec69d83e82638b9953d/360_obama_mccain_1016.jpg?branch=production&width=360&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Politics](/section/politics/) # Grading the Final Presidential Debate > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: September 2026. ## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. 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Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=db29071d-e5ed-4766-b003-93cff07af2b9&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1) by [Mark Halperin](https://time.com/author/mark-halperin/) Oct 15, 2008 4:00 AM UTC  Democrat Barack Obama, left, speaks during the third presidential debate with Republican John McCain at Hofstra University on Oct. 15 Democrat Barack Obama, left, speaks during the third presidential debate with Republican John McCain at Hofstra University on Oct. 15 Spencer Platt / Getty Images by [Mark Halperin](https://time.com/author/mark-halperin/) Oct 15, 2008 4:00 AM UTC [**Barack Obama**](https://www.time.com/time/topics/barack-obama/0,30939,,00.html) **Substance:** Intelligent, knowledgeable and an earnest explainer, as always, but to no real effect. Though he conveyed a general sense of his agenda, he did so without bothering to fight ardently for his case. **Grade: B** **Style:** Appeared tired and irritable, and bore the ills of a poor makeup job. While initially seeming distracted and even resentful of the evening’s activity, he eventually realized he needed to [step up his game, and became more conversational and involved](https://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1848518,00.html). Recovered after the rocky start to [avoid anything transformative for his opponent.](https://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1850416,00.html) **Grade: B-** **Offense:** Rarely went after McCain, and when he did, was indirect and often too vague. **Grade: C+** **Defense:** Unrattled by frequent McCain attacks but a little peevish in addressing the allegations tossed his way. He strained to defend his positions on [health care and taxes](https://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1849800,00.html ) and failed to express a fully formed alternative explanation. Relying on polling data to excuse himself for the campaign’s negative tone and implicitly for going back on his word on campaign financing, he seemed indifferent toward the recent mutually harsh words, placing the blame firmly on his opposition. **Grade: B+** During the first half of the debate, the Democratic nominee too often displayed his worst traits — petty, aloof, imperious — and behaved as if he had someplace better to be, though he became warmer and more engaged as the evening progressed. He did not seem to have an explicit strategy, answering the questions piecemeal as they came his way, without driving a message or even a theme. He retained his consistently unflappable air and had a few fine moments. If he was sitting on his lead, it worked — but perhaps at the expense of relinquishing part of it. **Overall grade: B** [**John McCain**](https://www.time.com/time/topics/john-mccain/0,30939,,00.html) **Substance:** Avoided the policy weeds, as usual, but sounded [more engaged regarding his economic program](https://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1849800,00.html), presenting [a clear, thematic argument](https://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1850416,00.html). He was also good on climate change, trade, taxes and spending. It was an impressive performance from a politician who is generally more comfortable offering broad statements and displaying his compelling personality than focusing on details and the nitty-gritty. **Grade: A-** **Style** For 40 minutes, he was cogent, friendly and yet sharp when he needed to be. Well aware of the stakes and [his underdog circumstance](https://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1850416,00.html), he worked hard to hit all his marks. Showed genuine empathy about the ramifications of the battered economy, small-business struggles and even childhood obesity. But he lost points during the second half of the session by falling back on the awkward, cranky tics that [ marred his earlier performances](https://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1848160,00.html). **Grade: B+** **Offense:** Hit Obama again and again, almost always with authority and command rather than with desperation. Repeatedly steered the evening’s discussion to a plumber named Joe who talked about taxes with Obama during a recent campaign event — and scored points. He deftly used opposition research on Obama’s record, and did so far more effectively than in the first two debates. Skillfully attacked his opponent for not keeping his word on campaign financing and for refusing to hold joint town meetings. At times, though, he became too agitated and lost focus, particularly when he raised the Bill Ayers matter — still a negative bridge too far for many. **Grade: A-** **Defense:** Dramatically proclaimed “I am not President Bush” with toughness and clarity, in one of the few true “moments” in any of the debates — the tangible ripple of reaction from the (albeit silent) crowd signaled that the video clip will likely be replayed many times. **Grade: A-** During the first half of the debate, the Republican nominee showed off the best of himself — dedicated, sincere, patriotic, cheery, earnest, commanding — all without seeming old or anxious. He even scored some points in the “change” category, against the candidate who has owned the theme. He was also clear, upbeat and totally on message. To his detriment, however, he became more aggressive and distracted during the second half, and perhaps lost a chance for winning the truly dramatic event he needs to change the game. Still, if a silent majority of persuadable voters watched the debate, they would have seen why McCain’s advisers have faith in him and still believe he can win this race. **Overall grade: A-** ([Click here to see 10 Memorable Debate Moments.](https://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/preview/article/0,28804,1844704%5F1844706,00.html)) ([See a gallery of campaign gaffes here.](https://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1643290%5F1643292,00.html)) ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/archive/6936431/grading-the-final-presidential-debate/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/archive/6936431/grading-the-final-presidential-debate/"},"headline":"Grading the Final Presidential Debate","datePublished":"2008-10-15T04:00:00.000Z","dateModified":"2026-03-23T05:20:22.964Z","description":"Barack ObamaSubstance:Intelligent, knowledgeable and an earnest explainer, as always, but to no real effect. 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