The Obama ballet

This is not a small thing that Michael Crowley highlights. I thought it was one of the more striking things about the debate.

A Physical Contrast

I think it's very much to Obama's advantage that he and McCain are freed from their podiums, roaming the stage. For one thing, this calls attention to Obama's height advantage. Obama is also just more fluid and graceful. McCain is stiff, awkward, and generally looks much less comfortable on the move.

(Pardon a bit of theater criticism, but I do think these things have an effect.)

--Michael Crowley [TNR]