Does the 3rd Debate Even Matter Anymore?

[12th Doctor]

Hey, fellas.  Internets been down here, so this is my first time on since the debate.

Well, Bush did well, some polls suggest that he even won.  It appears that he handled all the Domestic Policy questions well.  Since the next debate focuses on that and FP is in the rear view mirror (with, it appears, Bush coming out on top) my question is, does the out come of the next debate even matter?

Opinions?

[12th Doctor]

I doubt it, personally.  Most people's minds have already been made up in the race and most people know where each guys stands.  Even if Bush does as poorly as he did in the first debate, which I doubt he will, it won't cause any noticable shift.

[Wakie]

Every debate counts.  Every appearance counts.  At any given time either candidate could say something that could completely blow this election.

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

What poll suggests that Bush won the 2nd debate? 

In any case, the 3rd debate definitely matters...Bush is up by 2%, and Kerry gained 3% on him in the first debate, so a similarly strong performance could easily put Kerry over the top.

[minionofmidas]

What poll suggests that Bush won the 2nd debate? 

In any case, the 3rd debate definitely matters...Bush is up by 2%, and Kerry gained 3% on him in the first debate, so a similarly strong performance could easily put Kerry over the top.

The impression I got (from coverage - I didn't stay up into the small hours of morning to watch it live on German TV) was that Bush did better than the first time, kinda about/almost (take your pick) as good as Kerry. But that that impression may be coloured by lowered expectations (ie, Bush still s*cking but not as royally, people comparing him to himself rather than to Kerry).

[AuH2O]

Bush did very well in the 2nd debate, very few times I had to wince. Kerry handled some questions very poorly.

The end result was something of a draw, but

1) it stopped any Kerry momentum
2) Bush is ahead, so a draw is a win for him

The third debate will be the least watched of the three. Bush's performance in the 2nd debate makes it likely the 3rd will be a draw.

In other words, I don't see how Kerry makes up his remaining ground. Gore did but he was a much better candidate than Kerry is now.

[minionofmidas]

Bush did very well in the 2nd debate, very few times I had to wince. Kerry handled some questions very poorly.

That's exactly the kind of evaluation I meant.