This campaign feels like it has been going on since 1873. It hasn't but it feels that way and we are now down to 22 days to go; three weeks from tomorrow.

 

For the past 12 days the political world has been marveling at the enormous impact - however tenuous it might turn out to be - that first debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney has had on this race.

 

On the Monday prior to the debate Obama's lead in the Real Clear Politics summary of national polls was four percentage points. As of last night Romney was leading by 1.3 percentage points - a turnaround of 5.3 points.