I do not think this freestyle works the best.

I also believe the moderator needs to be more on top of things when there is an out and out falsehood stated or one goes completely off target.

Was not impressed with format.

That said, Obama gave more facts and specifics, resorted much less to stump speech rhetoric than McCain.

Yeah, like this comment is even going to post...

I think Obama missed an opportunity tonight. He could have and should have gotten into McCain's face. And he chose not to. Maybe it's a rope-a-dope strategy, waiting for the last debate. But he's got to get McCain to blow his top.

Didn't do it tonight. Based on expectations (mine, at least), I'd have to give the not to McCain.

-- ARG

All Obama had to do tonight was tie - McCain was supposed to trounce him in foreign policy. Obama held his own and that was enough.

I would've like to see him slap McCain around but I think Obama's politeness and respect played better than McCain's sneers and "you don't understand." McCain came across as condescending and disrespectful, while Obama looked amused,calm and yes, cool, in the face of backhanded attacks.

Personality and body language count in these things and I think Obama looked more presidential.

McCain's argument was a sophistical--Socrates pointed this out well over 2,000 years ago--argument from authority. "Trust me." It's a basic logical fallacy taught in philosophy 101.

But, unfortunately, it can be a useful rhetorical device, whose force has been lessened for McCain when you look at his erratic behavior of the last couple of days.

It doesn't matter who won because McCain announced the winner this morning (Friday) in the Wall Street Journal. The paid ad shows McCain posing in front of the flag with a big grin and the words "McCain Wins Debate."

Chris Cillizza (Washington Post) took this screenshot of the premature ad.

I am experienced..you are a young, naive, whipper snapper who doesn't know what he is talking about..You aren't qualified to be president

That's what McCain wanted viewers to come away with. That was so obviously his standard he had to blurt it out several times so we'd be sure to get it

By that standard, he failed miserably

Obama didn't have to get in John "Wayne’s" face.

He totally called McCain out when he presented his own bracelet.
Cut the patriotic BS.

And oh by the way did you know he was a POW?

And basically John blew it with his attitude " Sonny, I've also been everywhere. NaNaNaNa nana

John McSame' answer to America's financial meltdown?

MORE TAX CUTS!!!! Scream out loud.

600 BILLION DOLLAR BAILOUT PLAN, 10+ BILLION DOLLARS A MONTH EXPENDITURE IN IRAQ,

But give tax cuts and make middle class workers accept program cuts.

I think Obama played this perfectly.

If he had scored too many "zings," then he would be accused (albeit in a subtle manner) of being uppity (press would use words like "combative" or "tense') or generally might have turned off certain independents who are looking primarily for tone and personality.

Instead, he pretty much matched McCain who really had the burden of proof given that he runs on the I-am-a-war-hero-with-experience ticket.

In fact, the "experience" factor has been off the table for a few weeks now, for good reason with Palin in the house representin', so I was shocked to hear McCain use this as his primary thesis for every response/argument.

I think we're going to see the analysis scrutinize McCain's game of chicken, ultimate turnout despite lack of congressional consensus, and inability to p0wn Obama.

How about the fact that McCain would not even look at Obama? Why is John McCain so cold that he won't even make eye contact with the person whom millions of Americans feel is ready to become POTUS. I mean Obama addressed John and tried to engage him eye to eye. Where I come from you talk to a person in the eye and Jim Lehrer asked them to talk to one another which I think was a stroke of genius by the way. If America is going to restore its legacy and live up to its greatest dreams which seems to be the hopes of both the left and the right, then you are going to have to be able to talk eye to eye with those you have differences with in order to find common ground. This is what Obama talks about and Reagan talks about when mentioning the US as a "Shinning City on a Hill" (Sorry about the Reagan reference)

The other thing that stood out to me was towards the end and I can not remember the specific question, but I believe John McCain said something to the effect "... we need to strengthen our interrogators so they don't torture ...." and after he finished Obama mentioned " ... I agree with John that we should not torture..." Maybe it is a stretch but did McCain just say during a debate that US interrogators under the Bush Admin "tortured" people in their custody?