9:15pm
So far McCain looks pretty old and feeble. Obama is doing well. He attacked right off the bat. Finally Dems are standing up, kicking butt, and taking names!

9:25pm
Obama is being very clear about tax issues. McCain can’t get beyond ear marks, and Obama has called McCain a lier a number of times.

9:30pm
I have to say, I like Obama but never drank the cool aid. Tonight he’s really proving he’s got the chops and not just some great speeches. He’s being very direct and specific.

McCain keeps going back to talking points. He did just say he opposes ethanol spending and wants to bring down defense spending. That’s good, but he really isn’t a good speaker.

9:35pm
Obama is getting into the heart of healthcare issues. And defends his liberalism as simply voting against Bush’s policies.

McCain wants to consider a spending freeze. Obama comes back with that being like using a hatchet where you need a scalple.

Of course they each cited work with senators from the other side of the aisle.

9:45pm
Obama brings up values and keeps bringing us back to the importance of healthcare reform. McCain lies about Obama’s healthcare plan taking health decisions put of the hands of patients and their doctors, and puts them in the hand of the government!

Obama calls McCain on his record of voting for all of Bush’s budget bills. McCain calls himself AND SARAH PALIN A MAVERICK!!!

McCain says we ate winning in Iraq and that Iraq will me a democratic ally.

Obama reminds us that he opposed the war back in 2002 and wanted to focus on Afghanistan, Bin Ladin, Al Qaeda. Says we have to use our military wisely and that we didn’t.

McCain points out that the next president won’t have to deal with the question of whether we should have gone in. Attacks Obama for continuing to oppose the surge even while he admits it worked.

9:50pm
Obama counters with the point that he has been right more often about what would and wouldn’t work.

Says “we have seen Afghanistan deteriorate” but McCain has claimed we already won there.

10:00pm
Ok. This is getting a little boring. Obama is doing well but I want to see him tear McCain a new one! And make it more clear when McCain is lying.

McCain is clearly comfortable talking about foreign policy. Problem is, he keeps getting us intovwats and supporting enemies.

Obama reminds us that McCain has threatened extinction for North Korea and sung songs about bombing Iran. He also points out that McCain has supported policies that have supported a Pakistani dictator and alienated the Pakistani people and supressed democracy there.

10:15pm
McCain goes after the Jewish vote. He pointed out Iran’s threat to Israel. So has Obama. But he made sure to declare he would not allow another holocaust. Oh. Good. I feel better. Suddan anyone? Obama wants to get wider support to get Iran under control. And reserves the right as president of the United States to meet with womever he wants, whenever he wants. He also points put that McCain’s own advisor, Kissinger, supports talking with Ahmadinajad without preconditions, as Obama wants to be able to do if he feels it’s necessary.

McCain says Kissinger does not support talks without preconditions. Brings up Istael again.

I have no problem with a president that supports Israel. I want one. I just think Obama has a better approach to rebuilding our place in the world and using that strength to support our friends and allies and encourage peace and defend them.

10:30pm
Though I disagree with most of what he’s saying, McCain does speak with an air of authority about foreign matters. Still Obama is presenting a more nuanced approach to dealing with other countries.

Obama points out that McCain has voted 23 times against alternative energy. McCain says he’s always voted in favor of alternative energy.

McCain says another 9/11 style attack is less likely than it was on 9/12/2001. Say’s “America is safer today than it was on 9/11″. Says there is more to do.

Obama days we’re safer in some ways but that we haven’t done enough. Defends missile defense. Says we need to focus on Al Qaeda. Says the way we are perceived in the world is very important to our ability to secure our future.

McCain brings it back to Iraq. Failure, he says, would strengthen Al Qaeda. Says Obama’s plan will lead to defeat.

Obama agrees that we must win. But that it’s the only thing this administration has focused on. Says we have so many other things to focus on, including China, Al Qaeda, the economy.

For a full transcript click here.

What did you think? Who won?

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