The Morning Read: Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Last night's presidential debate was “remarkable for the dourness of its mood,” writes Frank Bruni.

John McCain did not attack Barack Obama’s background or character, writes Adam Nagourney.

Obama is “unflappable,” says Rich Lowry.

Most pundits do not think McCain won.

Obama supporters seize on the moment when McCain called Obama "that one."

On term limits, Christine Quinn said, “I did not change my position yet.” Reportedly, aides say one reason for that is Ron Lauder.

Quinn said she needs more time.

“We are not close to a vote,” Quinn said.

Michael Bloomberg is “pushing” for a vote as early as October 23, no matter what Lauder does.

Does anybody know what Ron Lauder is doing?

In an op-ed, Randy Mastro asks, “If the mayor is committed to eventually appointing a charter revision commission to put this issue on the ballot, why not now?”

City Hall News starts out their editorial by saying, “Men confronting their mortality have been known to do silly things.”

Richard Lipsky blogs, “Bloomberg's expertise doesn't approach the kind of papal infallibility that his supporters appear to allege.”

Josh Silverstein thinks Quinn is trying to distance herself from the bill, while also trying to make sure it gets passed.

There’s a “long, slow bleed of reporters" out of Albany’s statehouse.

Joel Klein keeps adding high-paid hires to his staff.

Sheldon Silver doesn’t think so much money has to be cut from the budget.

An upstate reader wants Darrel Aubertine’s race to be a referendum on Democratic control of the State Senate.

And rapper Slick Rick --who was pardoned by David Paterson--said his biggest accomplishment is “purchasing some real estate in the Bronx.”