Now that the debate is over, click “Continue reading…” then jump to the bottom of this article and start reading. My comments are listed chronologically, from bottom to top.

Wrap-up: This was a very spirited debate; a much better format than previous events. The edge has to go to McCain because of his experience and knowledge on foreign affairs. At times, Obama seemed flustered and frustrated; primarily because McCain kept him on the defensive. McCain dinged Obama several times on his record re spending.

Pundits giving a slight edge to McCain; at least, on Fox.

10:36 – Obama: “We are going to `invest` in issues like education…” (I hate that term “invest.” It isn’t an “investment;” it is an expenditure of tax dollars that were taken from me.)

10:27 – McCain re potential for 9/11-type attack again: “Much less than the day after 9/11.” McCain boasted of working “across the aisle” with Leiberman et al to enact legislation to minimize opportunity for repeat attack. Obama: the biggest threat that we face now is a terrorist getting his hands on a suitcase bomb. We need missile defense, but we need to spend more on preventing nuclear proliferation. We also need to focus on Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Obama: “I intend to restore America’s standing in the world.” McCain: “Senator Obama still doesn’t seem to get it” that Al-Qaeda would be emboldened by a U.S. defeat in Iraq. Opposed specific dates of withdrawal.

Obama: Criticized Bush administration for its focus on Iraq while other issues brewing. “We have weakened our ability to project influence around the world…” because of focus on Iraq.

McCain: Obama’s failure to acknowledge success of surge exhibits a stubbornness and lack of flexibility that isn’t appropriate for a President.  Emphasized two-plus decades of experience. “I don’t think that I need any `on the job` experience.”

10:19 – McCain: “I looked into Mr. Putin’s eyes and I saw three letters: K-G-B.” Said Obama was exhibiting naivete when he said that both Russia and Georgia should “show restraint.”

10:15 – McCain deriding Obama for his mischaracterization of Henry Kissinger’s words re negotiations with Iran. (“Meeting Iran without pre-conditions is such a lame political issue.)

Obama is holding his own, but only barely. On Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran, McCain’s experience and knowledge shines through. Obama getting a little flustered; resorting to parsing of Henry Kissinger’s words re meeting with Iran.

10:05 – McCain: Iran poses a threat not only in Iraq but around the world.

Somebody should be counting the number of times that Obama says, “Senator McCain is absolutely right.”

9:51 – Obama: a strategic mistake to concentrate more troops in Iraq than in Afghanistan. McCain: Will not repeat mistake to abandon Afghanistan after Russia was routed. “We can’t ignore those lessons of history.” Will not threaten Pakistan as has Obama: “You don’t do that; you don’t say that out loud.”

9:44 – Obama: surge (in Iraq) was a tactic to cover up failures of previous four years. McCain: “I am afraid that Mr. Obama doesn’t understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy.” “Senator Obama refuses to acknowledge that we are winning in Iraq….” Obama: “That’s not true.”

Another “Senator McCain is right.”

McCain slammed Obama hard on his flip-flopping on Iraq. Obama had no defense other than to generally criticize the war.

9:36 – McCain opposed to handing healthcare system over to federal government. Challenged Obama to cut spending by starting with his own programs.

Obama: You have sided with Bush 90% of time. McCain countered that his reputation for opposing Bush is well known on a long list of topics.

Obama sounding like a whiner. McCain sounding more “Presidential,” but has missed several opportunities to zing Obama.  He’s too nice; too honest.

9:31 – How many times is Obama going to say, “John is right” ?

McCain: Spending freeze on all except national defense, spending for veterans. Obama wants to increase spending for early childhood education; save money by bringing Iraq war to close.

9:29 – McCain: We have to do something about spending. Government is completely out of control. Obama has the most liberal record in Congress… it is hard to reach across the aisle from that far to the left. (Obama laughed.) “We will have to scrub every department of government.”

9:22 – McCain re Obama’s tax increases on the rich: “People might be interested in Obama’s definition of ‘the rich’.” Obama argued against tax cuts.

McCain comparing his record re spending against Obama’s. Obama can’t reply; he doesn’t have much of a record. McCain: Obama has voted for tax increases on people making as low as $42K. Obama denied.

9:14 - McCain: “We Republicans came to power to change government, and government changed us.” (Re spending and earmarks). McCain pulled out a pen, promised to veto every spending bill that comes across his desk and to name legislators who seek earmarks. Obama: “Senator McCain is absolutely right…” (re earmarks). Obama claimed to suspend earmark requests for his state. Criticized McCain’s tax cuts ($300 billion worth), compared to $18 billion in earmarks in last year’s budget. McCain: $932 million in earmarks (requests) by Obama during his term.

9:11 – Jim Lehrer cajoling candidates to confront each other during five-minute discussion between each question. So far, neither taking the bait.

9:08 – What about the bailout plan? Obama: We haven’t seen it yet. Question: How did we get here in the first place? Obama said that he tried to solve problem two years ago. McCain: I also warned about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, corporate greed, etc. But there is an issue of corporate responsibility. “We have lost… accountability…” Criticized greed and corruption in Washington and on Wall Street.

9:04 First question: Where do you stand on the financial crisis? Obama: oversight, none to CEO bank accounts, possibility for taxpayers to get money  back.  Expected jab at Bush, link to McCain. McCain: hat tip to Ted Kennedy, who is ill. “We have a lot of work to do (re financial crisis).”

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8:09 – CNN live stream. Can’t tell if they are streaming the debate live or not. CBS debate webcast here. You can also watch the debate right here on my home page. Check the column to the right.