Obama holds steady

News in the UK is dominated by stories of financial meltdown. Across the Pond, however, the US election juggernaut still rumbles on. Last night the two main contendors for the White House clashed in the second of the TV debates

Instant reaction suggests that Obama won and it is now very much his election to lose. But doubts still remain about why he is not further ahead in the polls given the state of the economy and his Republican opponents association with the economic crisis. Does race remain a factor? Or is it actually his lack of experience?

The BBC said of the debate:

“Voters have questioned the US presidential hopefuls in a town hall-stye debate dominated by the financial crisis and foreign policy.

Two polls taken right after the debate - by CBS News and CNN - judged Barack Obama the winner over John McCain.

Senator Obama said more must be done to help the middle classes and that his rival’s tax cuts would aid the rich.

Mr McCain presented a plan for the US Treasury to buy up “bad” mortgages and said Mr Obama wanted to raise taxes.

CNN’s poll of debate-watchers found 54% said Mr Obama had done the best job, compared with 30% for Mr McCain.

CBS’s poll of undecided voters suggested 39% thought Mr Obama the winner, with 27% for Mr McCain and 35% calling it a draw.”

Follow the link here for highlights (there weren’t many!) in video clips—useful for brightening up an afternoon double.