It's not even close

JOHN MCCAIN came into the final presidential debate needing a game-changer, a Ronald Reagan moment, a Jerry Ford-like blunder by Barack Obama, something - anything - that would reverse the strengthening tide now running hard against him.

He didn't get it. Not even close.

To be sure, McCain pursued Obama doggedly, working hard to paint him as a reflexive tax-and-spender - one whose wrongheaded big-government policies would frustrate poor Joe the plumber at his every entrepreneurial turn - and who was outside the mainstream on abortion.

But Obama was reasonable and reassuring, answering McCain's attacks effectively and explaining his own positions well. As a counterpuncher, the Democrat gave as good as he got with his calm critiques of McCain's plans. In contrast, McCain's tense and occasionally disdainful demeanor in the split-screen shots did him no favors.

As he said he would, McCain brought up former 1960s radical William Ayers, making much of Obama's distant relationship with him. No doubt this heartened confirmed Obama opponents, but to render the oft-told tale relevant to other voters, McCain needed to build a convincing case that it somehow made Obama unfit for the White House.

He didn't. And Obama's reply - that he had denounced Ayers's despicable acts, and that Ayers wasn't involved in his campaign and wouldn't advise his administration - was an effective one, as was his listing of the people he does listen to.

One of McCain's least believable moments came when he asserted he could balance the budget within four years. That's a completely unrealistic claim from a candidate who is proposing another large round of tax cuts.

In this debate, as in the previous two, it was clear that despite McCain's longer experience, Obama is a more able and persuasive debater.

Game. Set. Match?

Scot Lehigh can be reached at lehigh@globe.com.