Overall impressions: They both did pretty well, though Obama started strong and finished weaker, and the other way around McCain.  This matched the transition of the debate topic from the economy to foreign policy.  The free podium-less format definitely favored Obama, who walked around obviously at ease with himself, though I wish he could have stuck within the timeframe.

I doubt this debate shifted anyone’s opinions much–the crashing economy and the candidates’ performance in the greater political arena will have much greater impact.  People who place national security first may favor McCain, but the economy has probably overtaken defense in most Americans’ minds.  If the debate does change anything, it may have affirmed Obama’s consistent demeanor and message to many who don’t know him as well and who didn’t follow him through the primaries.  By contrast, McCain’s composure in the debate will contrast in voters’ minds with his erratic behavior and his increasingly irrelevant and irrational attacks on Obama in the wider campaign.

19:34 PDT: The candidates stood in the way of Brokow’s teleprompter, which was hilarious.

19:30 PDT: Last Question: “What don’t you know, and how will you learn it?” Obama didn’t answer the question, but launched into his closing remarks. They’re both appealing to their ability to relate to people going through tough times.  McCain closed with an appeal to serve the country one more time.

19:25 PDT: Dang…McCain’s spontaneous camaraderie with a former Naval Petty Officer (who asked a question about the hypothetical invasion of Israel by Iran) definitely scored him some points.  Obama’s making the hard sell for diplomatic dialog with enemies.

19:22 PDT: Obama’s response to the Russia question is disjointed.  McCain won that round, which is a shame coming towards the end of the debate.  I’m not sure if I agree that reducing dependence on oil will reduce Russia’s petro-dollar income, especially given rapidly rising demand from its neighbors in China and India.

19:19 PDT: McCain: “I looked into Putin’s eyes and saw three letters, a K, a G and a B.”  Which is true, but there’s got to be a less corny way to communicate that.  I just contrasted McCain’s complex response regarding challenges posed by Russia with Palin’s “I can see Russia from my house”-type response and my brain imploded.

19:12 PDT: Woo, getting heated–Obama browbeat Brokaw to respond to McCain’s accusation that Obama supported an invasion of Pakistan. In response to McCain’s attack that Obama is irresponsible in foreign policy, Obama points out that McCain is the one that sang “Bomb bomb Iran.”

19:09 PDT: Obama: “We will kill Bin Laden, we will crush Al Qaeda, that has to be our highest national security priority.” Not very Quakerly.

19:00 PDT: Finally–discussion about the military (specifically economics and defense spending).  McCain speaks hollowly.  He just cited from Lebanon to the first Iraq war as evidence of his good judgment.  Obama: “I don’t understand why we invaded a country that had nothing to do with 9/11 when Bin Laden and Al Qaeda were setting up camps in Afghanistan.” And “We’re spending $10 billion a month in Iraq that we could use here at home.”  And “There has never been a nation in the history of the world that has suffered economic hard times and maintained its military commitments.”  Amen!

18:57 PDT: Clear anecdote from Obama–his mom dying of cancer and fighting insurance companies who were refusing coverage, arguing pre-existing conditions.

18:53 PDT: Obama laid out the essentials of his health insurance plan, McCain only attacked it without presenting much of his own.

18:49 PDT: Two candidates who can pronounce NUCLEAR! My standards for electability are slipping…

18:42 PDT: Brokow is really scolding the candidates for going over time and not sticking to the format.

18:41 PDT: If McCain calls me his friend one more time, I’m going to stop up my ears with peanut butter and tie my elbows to my sides.

18:36 PDT: Wow, a debate with substance in the candidates’ responses.  They’re laying down one of the key philosophical differences between the parties: McCain is pushing for tax cuts and trickle down.  Obama is also selling tax cuts, with a stick it to the rich twist.

18:29 PDT: They’re really attacking each others’ records, though McCain is doing a better job of selling his own record.