On Tonight's Second Presidential Debate

There's an old saying: "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."  Because of this, psychologists tell us that first impressions are, mentally, nearly impossible to shake.  I think that's why, over the last 3-1/2 years, President Obama has maintained such favorable job approvals; this, despite an apparent failed presidency in so many ways.

For many Americans, the first presidential debate was a chance for Mitt Romney to make that critical first impression.  And, the polls now tell us that it was a favorable one.  In many head-to-head polls against Barack Obama, Romney is now leading; where he was clearly losing before the debate.  But, in most of those same polls, Obama's favorability still persists; proving, once again, that people will resist changing their impressions of someone.

I personally think that most people have already made up their minds as far as which candidate they will vote for; with that mindset being created -- whether they know it or not -- as a result of the first debate and with the impressions that were newly formed.  Even those who didn't watch it may have since made up their minds on the basis what of they have either heard or read about regarding that night.  For this reason, I think tonight's debate will be of less importance than what some in the media would lead us to believe.  If I'm right, the audience size will be much smaller this time around.