ELEPHANT-DONKEY.com

wow... let's hope for a tie! (In this debate thing, not in the obama v. mccain debate, in which case obama should hopefully win).

Your God(ess) | 10/07/08

Both are holding their own thus far (9:55 pm Eastern) but only Obama seems comfortable. McCain seems justifiably nervous when he speaks. When he isn't anxiously quivering through a response--he takes on a strange tone...It can be likened to a pre-school teacher telling fairy tales to awe-striken tots. It is as though he is explaining fantastical wonders to us that even he doesn't believe. There is no conviction in anything he says. Only his disgust with his rival shines through. I've been leaning this way for some time but my once undecided vote goes to Obama.

ALKY | 10/07/08

The droning clamour of the economic plans and tax plans... yadda yadda... this was truely the propaganda ads live to your boob-tubes. It was more of the same- breaking about even. However, McCain clearly chumped Obama's foreign policy in a Rambo like fashion. I would also like to point out how completly arrogant Obama is to frequently cut off our gracious moderator. Obama also avoided the questions and was not as cool and colected as I've seen in the recent past. I must stress, America, becareful what you wish for- if what you wish for is Obama as the leader of the free world.

SAWhiteman | 10/07/08

found that it was boring/they used their old sripts over and over/it was a waste of time to watch/mccain looked a worried

thearksociety | 10/07/08

Obama lay ed a very disciplined thought pattern like 1-2-3, he was very forth coming and realistic I trust him on Foreign policy and economy. He did it again. McCain was way off and rude when he said "That' pointing at Obama when talking about voting for a bill. that was bad, way bad and condescending

timurlank1 | 10/07/08

No big fireworks but Obama did what he had to do. McCain had to hurt Obama and could not. McCain looked 90 years old. He will lose.

demannie | 10/07/08

this was a real dud. Boring abnd drearily predictable.

writescoop | 10/07/08

I think it was a clear win for Obama. At least Obama made an effort to answer the questions, while McCain either evaded answering directly, or spent his limited (????) time simply attacking with all the same old rhetoric.

randy48195 | 10/07/08

Obama came up with details and actually answered questions. McCain did not, in fact he seemed a bit feeble, sometimes breathing heavily. I kept thinking, "President Palin. . .President Palin". I can see her speaking to the UN, "Dontcha know that Russia guy Putin is just bad, fer sure!" *shudders at the thought*

waya | 10/07/08

I hate to admit it. John McCain needs to pack it in. Obama is too sharp for this guy. Sometimes a person has to recognize when the person that they're running against is just "better-suited" than they are. This is the case. I like John, BUT Obama is too much for the guy.

franknitty41 | 10/07/08

We the American Public deserves REAL answers, and not the same rhetoric from Both candidates. Finger pointing, Lies, Just plain made up facts do not serve us well. You want to help the middle class...Tell the credit card industry they will be monitored and regulated...No more raising some ones interest to a criminal 20% or higher rate because they missed one payment.....Or have some one from India call you to tell you are in collections because you forgot to make your payment...Tell them to quit sending you mailbox after mailbox full of Credit Applications where you and your dog are Pre-Approved! Free Money! Just cash those nice little checks that we have put in there so consideratly for you. You better find a way to solve the issues affecting upcoming problems with Social Security and Medicare. Be truthful about it. You cannot keep telling us your gong to fix it and it won't cost us a dime. We are not stupid cattle milling about in our corral. You all helped the folks on Wall Street make the big bucks off of us small folk, now it is our turn. Put pressure on banks to work with people in dire straights and losing their homes. Force them to at least re-negotiate ARMS, Interest only, Balloon Mortgages, etc. If you don't the American Govt is going to own one hell of a lot of property that has no value and we can all watch OUR 700 Billion dollar investment go away and onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. Our national energy policy is no energy policy. Yeah let's keep drillin for oil, Let's keep blowing off the mountain tops in PA so we can burn that coal and warm up the planet at all costs. Clean Coal Technology does not exist in a way that is possible to deploy in any type of economical model or in a time frame that will help our nation with a new energy strategy. Do we need a Manhattan Type Project for energy (YES). Do we need 100,000 people in garages working on new energy solutions? (YES) Our Planet needs it, not just the Oil companies who with their billions made off of our pocketbooks. The war in Iraq is over...Get Out...Quit killing our brave men and women. Give them a time table and say that on this day we are Out of Here and your on your own. Good Luck. Health Care is a right. Find a way. The debate format sucks and all we get is canned blah blah blah.

rhansme | 10/07/08

Obama is clearly the winner. McCain is finished. Ask yourself which one would you like to see for the next four years? Obama is intellectually, emotionally, and cautiously the leader we so obviously need. McCain & Palin are one sad ticket.

Pat NJ | 10/08/08

I feel that Obama won the debate. McCain speaks to the polls and shows himself to be truly ugly in character by constantly slinging untrue accusations towards Obama. We don't want to vote for a mean spirited man for our next President - we already have one like that. McCain doesn't get it! I'm tired of war and the old men who love to be in the mix of it. And Mr. Brokaw... I wasn't impressed. He could have controlled the time limits much better than he did. That was his job, but instead he criticized the debaters, especially Obama for going over the time. I also thought it was extremely unprofessional for him to laugh at McCain's snide remark about Obama. Obama showed himself again to be the better person and the better man.

4thebest | 10/08/08

I feel that Obama won the debate. McCain speaks to the polls and shows himself to be truly ugly in character by constantly slinging untrue accusations towards Obama. We don't want to vote for a mean spirited man for our next President - we already have one like that. McCain doesn't get it! I'm tired of war and the old men who love to be in the mix of it. And Mr. Brokaw... I wasn't impressed. He could have controlled the time limits much better than he did. That was his job, but instead he criticized the debaters, especially Obama for going over the time. I also thought it was extremely unprofessional for him to laugh at McCain's snide remark about Obama. Once again Obama showed himself to be the better person and the better man.

4thebest | 10/08/08

By the way.... does McCain buy his own health insurance or does he use that government insurance plan that he badmouths and seems to think the general public doesn't deserve?

4thebest | 10/08/08

After watching this debate, I think it's time to debunk the oft-repeated story that McCain is more comfortable in a Town Hall setting. He didn't look comfortable at all stiffly pacing around. He didn't engage Obama at any point that I could see. He visibly permitted his wife to shake hands with Obama at the conclusion while he clearly turned away from that one possible moment of civility. After the forum, he escaped the hall quickly while Obama mingled at ease in the crowd, shaking hands with those who had endured the 90 minutes in silence, as instructed, and leaving a last impression they will not likely forget. Last night we saw the measure of both men.

oldster | 10/08/08

Obama was the clear winner. He showed himself to be both knowledgeable and capable of being the President of the United States. He blew McCain away when talking about domestic policy and held his own on foreign policy. On the other hand, McCain rambled and seemed small and old when he paced the floor trying to connect with the people. He did perk up when the debate turned to foreign policy. You can almost see his mind bring him back to his "glory days". I praise him and thank him for his service but that does not make him Presidential material.

kdwink | 10/08/08

John McCain is clearly out of his league when in the same room with Barack Obama. And to not shake Obama's hand afterwards just goes to show how low McCain has gotten.

JustBlue | 10/08/08

Obama looked like the future. He presented extremely well. Knew his subjects. Stayed calm. McCain looked like the past. In appearance he looked very old and tired (not good when you think of Palin in the #2 spot). Seemed bored by talking around. Tried his usual attacks with lies or misrepresentations. Enough of General Petraeus and mostly enough of MY FRIENDS.

Alex Vallas | 10/08/08

Obama won in what was a rather dull debate, I did manage to rouse a bit at McCains bizarre "that one" remark and noticed that at t he end he didn't want to shake Obama's hand and left the auditorium really quickly. Guess he knew he lost as well as anyone watching. You have to feel kind of sorry for the old dude. He has turned from a guy with a whole lot of integrity into a barking, whining, erratic, out of touch with the truth old politician. Its kind of sad.

Proud 2 b liberal | 10/08/08