[AndyMeyers]

It appeared to me that, at the beginning of the debate, McCain was trying to portray himself as a consensus builder, someone who can work with both sides of the aisle, as opposed to Obama who consistently attacks Republicans. I don’t think that McCain wanted to come across as laying all of the blame on the Democrats for the financial mess, since he is still trying to work with all parties to craft a solution to the nation’s financial problem. It seemed to me that this was an attempt by McCain to appeal to the undecided moderates and independents, since he didn’t need to appease the Conservatives who are going to vote for him. I am not sure McCain succeeded.

I thought McCain did much better in the second half of the debate when he focused more on policy and his experience.

I thought Obama came across as someone who can be rattled. His facial expressions and head shaking when McCain jabbed him reminded me of Al Gore’s antics in the first debate with Bush - amateurish in a diplomatic setting.

I don’t know if anyone else noticed but, while McCain mentioned the need to protect Israel and Jews several times, Obama did not mention either even once unless I missed it. The debate was supposed to be about foreign policy and Obama doesn’t even mention the only true friend that America has in the Middle East? Will that go unnoticed by American Jews?

Although Obama was more eloquent, I thought that McCain got the better of the “quips” – “hard to reach across the aisle when you are that far left” – “so Iran says they are going to wipe Israel off the face of the earth and we say no you’re not?”

As I anticipated, Obama won on style and McCain won on substance. The loser was the moderator.

I guess we will find out whether style or substance is more important to the majority of the American electorate on November 4th.

[paudio]

As I anticipated, Obama won on style and McCain won on substance. The loser was the moderator.

What do you mean by style? In 2000, people said Bush won on style because he looked more relax and engaging, while Gore won on substance. Today, I would say McCain won both: on substance, especially on the second part, and on style because he looked more sincere and relax, with ability to inject humors now and then while attacking 0bama.

[eggman]

At several points Obama seemed to be rattled by McCain but managed to regain his composure. I didn't see McCain getting rattled at all and the media is always going on about his temperament. Even from the opening comment by McCain expressing concern for Ted Kennedy being hospitalized briefly for a seizure earlier in the day was much more “style” than Barack could muster all night.