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Partisans aren't going to budge, but the crucial middle remains somewhat open-minded, if not completely on the fence. These debates can be important if properly run. I don't believe in silly "gotcha" questions, but over the three metings the moderators should probe to see who has a good command of history, knows specific facts with respect to both allies and enemies, operational details for running the US government, the constitution, intent and obligations under existing treaties, basic economic principles and other specifics. We have to stop screwing around and pick a functional President to get us out of a gazillion messy situations. How are they going to do that? Make them be precise, make them justify and explain their positions, mostly don't like it be another slime fest. If someone gets pasted with a truth, let 'em wear it--ask follow up questions when they try to bob and weave. But if it's just going on offense to avoid answering, bust them for it.

I found the Gore/Bush and Kerry/Bush debates pretty awful. Dumbed down to the lowest common denominator. We've had enough of that. We need the smartest guy possible.

I know, that may not be what the average American wants, which is how we got into this steaming pile of excrement.

God, wish I hadn't quit drinking

Yeah, thought Obama took it on style if not points, although it was kind of a barbituate of an evening. John McCain seemed disrespectful, condescending, impatient and at times borderline unstable. He almost never looked Obama in the eye (something many folks have noticed when they've met recently). Seems that although McCain has likely persuaded himself that Obama is an unqualified upstart, and that all the fibs and dirty tricks are justified, there's also a bit of conflict and guilt going on within him about all of this. It hurts a bit to see him sell himself out so badly.

Although I wasn't dazzled by Barack Obama, he held his own through several attacks, and showed a lot of grace under pressure and real class. At times this reminded me a bit of Reagan with Carter, especially when Obama softly and spontainiously laughed at McCain's trying to compare him to George W. Bush. Sort of a "there you go again" moment. The early polls give it to Obama by a wide margin, at least with everyone but the 38% or so that's the usual Republican base, and my guess is that it once again came down to personality. Barack Obama seems firm enough, but also pleasant, less partisan and willing to agree with McCain on several points. Independents and moderate Republicans will like that. Although John McCain impressed me with his detailed grasp if some complexforeign policy issues (such as the situation in Russia) he also seemed combative, impatient and quite disrespectful. I suspect that will hurt him tomorrow.

On the other hand, I thought Bush ranged from so-so to flat out atrocious in damned near every debate in 2000 and 2004 and he won anyway. So what the hell do I know. I still can't believe we're in the mess we're in.

Obama is not a Muslim. Sadly, John McCain gets a very low rating from several Iraq/Afghan veterans rights groups over the last four or five years, and Obama's is quite high. Whatever we may think hope we'll all do the fact checking this time around, and not get snowed like we did the last couple of times.

And that we all go out and vote.

John, we may be permanently polarized, and if so that's very sad, because it means we're screwed.

Obama was careful to be respectful and under control. Hell, it's his nature anyway, and he's savy enough to know McCain would boil over from time to time without assistance, and anyway Barack wouldn't risk a delioerate provocation like that ending up on YouTube. He was talking to Jim Lehrer, and asking for space to comment back against what he felt was a fillibuster from McCain. It was a thin line to walk, being both firm and decent, but he did it well.

Bradley, those fact-check connections are great, and it warms me heart to see people doing their homework