Open Season on Small Game

Even al-Jazeera, broadcasting live from the debate site, reported that "John McCain has attempted many game-changing moments."

But he was stymied by a format -- one McCain himself originally requested -- that, by changing questioners and topics so frequently, precluded a game-changing moment. And Obama deftly preempted potential McCain attacks by reminding the audience, "Look, you're not interested in hearing politicians pointing fingers."

That left McCain firing with a small-gauge weapon.

He mentioned a bill "loaded down with goodies" for oil companies. "You know who voted for it?" he asked. "That one," he said of his opponent. Speaking about energy policy, McCain tried to criticize Obama's views on nuclear power but became ensnarled. "Now, how -- what's -- what's the best way of fixing it?" he asked himself. "Nuclear power. Senator Obama says that it has to be safe or disposable or something like that."

After a back-and-forth on deregulation, Brokaw tried to move on to foreign policy, but McCain wanted to stay on Obama's health-care plan and the penalties he said Obama would impose "if you don't get" the policy he thinks you should have. "Did we hear the size of the fine?" McCain said.

When they did finally make it to foreign policy, McCain informed the audience that the matter "requires a cool hand at the tiller."

Presumably, he meant a steady hand at the tiller, but no matter: The two men finished their small-bore skirmish and parted after a handshake that left partisans squabbling about whether someone had been snubbed.