As usual, PBS house “conservative” David Brooks spent the night conceding that liberals were winning. He gave the town-hall debate edge to Obama on the Lehrer post-game show. Then he went on Charlie Rose, and promptly began by mocking Sarah Palin, suggesting he’s rather have a debate with lots of “you betchas.” He knows how to pander to his bookers.

Only on PBS salons can you suck up to hosts like Charlie Rose with lines like the debate was so frosty, “I’ve seen Harold Pinter plays with more warmth.”