A strong showing in a debate can change the course of a presidential election.

But so can a poor one.

The oft-told story of how John F. Kennedy charmed the American public with his good looks and suave style does not go unaccompanied with recollections of Richard Nixon’s sweaty appearance. And after last night’s performance, Barack Obama will have to figure out how to escape his nickname “College Professor” and the adjectives describing his demeanor as “arrogant” and “distant.”

Some pundits are already dimissing the debate, arguing that Obama’s speaking style will hit home at the town hall debate in Kentucky next Thursday (Oct. 11). Others speculate that he can find success on his foreign policy record with a public that is not so receptive to upping military affairs as Mitt Romney’s rhetoric would suggest he’d do.

But for one whole week, negative coverage from what has been a largely sympathetic media will plague the Obama campaign. And this comes after weeks of battles on the mishandling of the Benghazi consulate attack.

Are the sweeping poll numbers in swing states enough to keep the Obama campaign afloat? Or will Romney close the gap over the next week, with the potential to see an upswing after the Vice Presidential debate? We all know what to expect from the unpredictable Joe Biden. But the eloquent, charming, home boy with a fake Ryan Gosling Twitter could put this election neck-in-neck with little time left before election day.

Looks and charm aren’t below us. We like a presidential team we can be proud of. Debate moments matter. And this one might just be the start of an entirely new race.