I think it is one of their most effective objectives and I think it was missed tonight. That was only a portion of what I stated as well. And the post you quoted from me made it clear that it was "a" clear objective.It's AN objective; not the objective.
I don't think they look at it like "if we don't link the two well in the debate, we've lost." I have a hunch they're probably pretty happy tonight. I'm sure McCain's camp is too, but he needed a game changer that he didn't get.