Opinion: The debate’s over: Here’s what you’ll hear now about Barack Obama

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(UPDATE: A complete debate transcript is available here.)

All campaigns distribute confidential talking points to their surrogate speakers, lists of several things they want said over and over again on TV, online and in print to drive home the message of the day to viewers out there to turn them into supporters or keep them there.

All campaigns write these talking points at headquarters to ensure consistency.

But only one campaign today e-mailed those post-debate talking points out to the media -- by mistake.

Oops! Where’s that UN-send button when you need it?

Someone at Barack Obama headquarters today sent out what the campaign wants its surrogates to say starting right this minute.

Flick your TV remote.

Look and listen for these points below. And, remember, these talking points were written before the debate.

‘This is John McCain’s last chance to turn this race around and somehow convince the American people that his erratic response to this economic crisis doesn’t disqualify him from being President.

‘Just this weekend, John McCain vowed to ‘whip Obama’s you-know-what’ at the debate, and he’s indicated that he’ll be bringing up Bill Ayers to try to distract voters.

‘So we know that Senator McCain will come ready to attack Barack Obama and bring his dishonorable campaign tactics to the debate stage.

‘Obama continues to lead on the economic crisis with a....

...rescue plan for Main Street.

‘Over the course of the campaign, Barack Obama has laid out a set of policies that will grow our middle class and strengthen our economy.

‘But he knows we face an immediate economic emergency that requires urgent action – on top of the plans he’s already laid out – to help workers and families and communities struggling right now.

‘That’s why Barack Obama is introducing a comprehensive four-part Rescue Plan for the Middle Class – to immediately to stabilize our financial system, provide relief to families and communities, and help struggling homeowners.

‘This is a plan that can and should be implemented immediately.

‘Obama has shown steady leadership during this crisis and offered concrete solutions to move the country forward – and his Rescue Plan for the Middle Class builds on the plans to strengthen the economy and rebuild the middle class that he’s laid out over the course of this campaign.’

--Andrew Malcolm

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