Here we go.....

Okay weird thing, what happened to Obama's eyebrows? He looks like he has eyebrow shadows.

Obama pins the problem on McCain. Um....

Now, why isn't McCain bringing up his solutions?

Obama says that two years ago he warned about the problem. Really? When? I've seen the McCain legislation, what did Obama do?

McCain talks about holding people accountable. Obama talks about "underlying issues" and says that McCain talked about "fundamentals are good". ARGH! McCain is sounding like a Senator and not going at Obama. What in the hell?

Obama 1 McCain 0

8:10 p.m. CST What would you do to get Washington out of this crisis?

McCain says to get spending under control. Finally!

Obama says that McCain will have tax cuts for the rich. Oh here we go "tax cuts for 95% of working families". Obama "pays for every dime of it"--of the plans that McCain brings up that Obama wants, including health care. The tax increases will pay for his plans. But only the rich will pay.

Interesting aside. I think Obama looks angry. And McCain looks intense, but he has obviously worked very hard to not look angry.

Round 2: McCain 1 Obama 0 Score: 1 to 1

8:21 CST What are you going to have to give up to pay for the rescue?

In 10 years time, Obama's going to make America independent. Oy vey. It sounds ridiculous on its face and he keeps saying it. Does it focus group well, because to me, it sounds simple-minded.

McCain is all about cutting spending. "It's hard to reach across the aisle from that far to the left." Even Obama chuckles. Good zinger, John!

John Hawkins and I are chatting and he says, and I agree, that Jim Lerher is doing a great job. He has a very nice temperament to moderate.

John McCain says that he would have a spending freeze, but Obama feels that there is not enough money being spent on early childhood education. Oh for the love of all that's good and decent. The educational system's problem isn't lack of money. Shizen! Are his kids in public school?

John McCain goes after energy independence.

Jim Lerher goes after both John McCain and Barack Obama's spending plans in light of the economy. Barack Obama admits that there are "tough decisions" but he's concerned about priorities. McCain goes after spending.

8:34 What are the lessons of Iraq?

McCain: You can't have a failed strategy--in 2003, he went to Iraq and saw things needed to be changed. Praises Petraeus.

My brother just texted me: "Serious tired head with this debate. Lerher format blows."

Obama: Doesn't believe we should have been there to begin with. Snort. He called the Iraq war "a distraction". Now he's running down how bad the war has been. I cringe thinking about our soldiers hearing that they've fought a wasted war.

McCain: The next president of the United State isn't going to have to decide whether to enter the war, it's going to have to decide what to do now. Pow!

Why does it feel like Obama is being more assertive and McCain is being passive on the military?

Round 3: Draw. McCain 3 - Obama 3

8:45 CST More troops in Afghanistan?

Obama: Yes. More dead Americans. Why do liberals fetishize dead soldiers. It is so dang irritating. Okay. No one is saying this, but I'm going to say it. Every time Obama says "Pakeesthan" and "Taleebahn", he sounds middle eastern. Say it like an mid-Westerner if you want to appeal to middle America.

McCain: Talking about strategies for Afghanistan.

Obama is talking right now, but I was asleep five minutes ago. He talks too much. And he talks more when he doesn't know what he's talking about. That's a common trait--to confabulate when you don't know what you're saying. He's confabulating.

Another commenter says and I agree:

Does anyone else think Obama has that same annoyed and condescending look because he has to share a stage with someone he considers his inferior that Gore had when he debated Bush? We all know how that worked out for Gore.. Posted by AlexinCT

McCain is going after Obama, whew!

Round 4: McCain 1, Obama 0 Score: McCain 4- Obama 3

8:55 CST What about Iran?

McCain: If Iran gets nuclear weapons, it is an existential threat to Israel. The Iranians are putting IEDs into Iraq. He wants economic sanctions.

Obama: He believes that the war in Iraq strengthened Iran. And notes that they are funding Hamas and Hezbollah. As if they weren't before the Iraq war. He is going to have "tough diplomacy". I'm laughing. He's going to talk a crazy nutjob to death. Actually, I think he could do it. Every time he's talking on and on I feel masochistic.

McCain is eating Obama's lunch about meeting with dictators. This was a big, fat softball.

Obama called Iran a "rogue regime", but that he would talk to them. And did Obama just give Bush props for sending a negotiator? Now, he's taking it back and talking about North Korea and reversing progress.

9:10 CST Now, to Russia.

Obama: Hmmm.....won't answer the question. Again. He talks too much. The man can't give a short, direct answer. Now, he's showing off his geography knowledge. Saying he wants to bring the surrounding states into NATO but doesn't want another Cold War.

McCain: He's going after Obama's "naivité". McCain looks into Putin's eyes and sees KGB. And McCain notes that Obama's response was to say "both sides should show restraint"--going after him for the moral equivalence thing. McCain is showing his knowledge of the international community--he says to "watch Ukraine".

Obama is reframing his wobbliness directly after the Russian invasion. So now, Obama is trumpeting his foresight. Uh huh. He is the best 20/20 in hindsight genius I've ever seen. Oh my! Obama now says he'll do clean coal and nuclear energy and the way to deal with Russia is to use alternative fuels.

9:20 CST What is the likelihood of another 9/11?

McCain says that we are safer now than we were one day after 9/11. "We have to do a better job of our human intelligence". Strong statement against torture. America is safer than after 9/11. We are safer, but a long way to go.

Side note: McCain doesn't look old and mean. Obama is still talking too much. The man can't say a short sentence. Ugh.

And now, he's saying "We have the greatest country in the world BUT there is much to be done to restore our standing". Anytime someone follows a statement with "but" it is an indication that he doesn't agree with the original statement.

Now, in the wrap-up, Obama is trying to link McCain with Bush. Talking about Obama. Now he's tromping down the road to China. Obama believes that because we have focused on Iraq, we've ignored every other country. Now it's off to health care--we can't fund it because we're spending money in Iraq. Now off to Veterans aren't funded. Soldiers suffering with PTSD.

McCain is talking about Obama's judgment and stubbornness to not admit that the Surge was successful. "I'll take care of the Veterans".

Oh sheesh, Obama brings up the origin of his last name. And Obama believes that children around the world now don't want to come here. Is he crazy? What? They want to move to China? Venezuala? Iran? Russia? Germany? France?

McCain knows how to deal with "enemies and friends".

Overall, I think McCain won. Obama looks angry afterward. What do you think? Who won?