When the editorial page of the Washington Post grudgingly concedes that Jerry Kilgore wasn’t clubbed like a baby seal at yesterday’s debate, I think it’s possible to get a real sense of who “won” the Greenbrier debate:
But the mismatch that Democrats had hoped for, and Republicans had feared, did not materialize.
Call it a draw, with the psychological edge to Mr. Kilgore.
I’m sure it pained that writer to pen those words. One has to wonder why Democrats always put so much faith in debates, hype their capabilities, and always gleefully shackle their opponent with such low expectations that it is impossible not to exceed them. Republicans gladly play along and usually benefit, as appears to be the case from the Greenbrier.
Update: Poli Amateur has a good survey of debate coverage in Virginia papers over at Commonwealth Watch.