It’s over. The debate we all talked about for weeks and weeks and anticipated so much has taken place and now calmness runs over our campus again. Well, calmness… Even though the debate between Barack Obama and John McCain is finished, the debate here on campus and probably everywhere else in the country continues. The topic we all are discussing is however a simple one (or so it seems): who actually won the debate?

After watching the debate with hundreds and hundreds of people in the Grove and hearing them react to the statements the candidates made, both the democratic as the republican camp made abundantly clear how they felt about these issues and their candidates. People ruling for Obama applauded his comments, his reactive attitude towards McCain and his presidential stance. People ruling for McCain where excited to see their candidate making straight forward comments on topics he knows most about. They also enjoyed his calm attitude and the fact he did not let Obama rule the discussion. Two camps, hundreds of followers, and according to them; two winners.

Not only had the people watching the debate in the Grove with me seemed to disagree on the winner of the debate. As soon as the candidates walked of stage and the ‘after debate shows’ started on TV it became quite clear that even political specialists seemed to disagree on the winner. Flipping from one channel to the other, the winner/loser attitude flipped with it. One poll claimed Obama won, and then another poll came out and claimed McCain won. The same battle went on online and the next day in all the newspapers. People keep claiming the victory for both candidates. But there must be a winner right?

The candidates themselves don’t seem to worry too much about it. They now have there eyes on the ball and with three more debates coming up one message is clear for both camps: the gloves just came on, this was only round one.

I’ll be waiting for the knock out.