im so excited..like never before.i have gotten many people who never voted to vote overseas..wow..how wonderful.

I just wanna know..the negative attack ads, do they really think this is the way to go..didnt mccain promise not to go that route.

terri hamburg germany...up all nite

Hello Jonathan,
Hope today (oops tonight) you will come here.
We missed you last time when you were nowhere to be seen here :-)
Tejinder Singh
http://tejindersinghtito.blogspot.com/
Brussels
Belgium

Another few minutes left and lets see which way the pendulum swings :-)
Tejinder at Brussels

Can't get CNN video stream in New Zealand!
please keep me informed promptly!!

Bogotá, Colombia (ex pat from NYC)

What are Americans Looking for?
How can a 72yrs. old man with a blank slate VP lead a country like America in a time like this, maybe but I doubt.

Hello David........will keep you posted

Tejinder Brussels

Obama is coming stronger as the question of who will be next Treasury Secy will be
Tejinder Brussels

Mc >>> is saying he suspended his campaign and went to fix the problem
while he said Obama and his cronies went out from Washington and helped Fanny etc.
Mc>>>>we have to go and buy those house loans

Ob>> without attacking Mc
is outlining his point

It appears McCain has a good idea with the concept of buying up ‘bad mortgages’ and renegotiating with home-owners at the lower value of the property. It's not a cure-all for the economy though. Banking regulation with increased market confidence and mutual liquidity between banks is the key. Get the money moving again, but with greater oversight.

However I note he uses the strategy of distraction, pointing to money going elsewhere on things like foreign energy. Indicating these issues is pointless without a long term sustainable alternative to liquid carbon fuels brought to the table. Drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico, and in the oil sand of Alaska are not long term sustainables.

McCain needs to get away from the politics of quick-fix and hope for the best.

Obama seems to be a man with a plan for the near term, hand in hand with a long-term vision.

Now Ob is comparing what Mc and he did in past months, years

Ob tells listeners>>>>>You are not interested in politicians in pointing fingers

Good update Paul

How can we trust either of you<<<<asks one question

I understand why McCain is "bigging up" the American worker as the most this, most that, best at the other etc. However, it is his party that espouses the market economy controlling where jobs go, and doesn't protect the core industrial and manufacturing economies, and furthermore does not give a jot for worker rights, collective representation, or the wellbeing of the average blue collar worker.
Surely people will see through this?

One slip from Ob>>>>>You may have to go out less for dinner or postpone buying another car
>>>>but i think there are people who live paycheck to paycheck so this is not a good point!!!

Now Mc is just blah blah and upping all these NGOs and what he has fought all these years :-)

I think that's more of a pointer toward people who live cheque-to-cheque but supplement that with cards and loans, and patch it up when it goes wrong with more credit.

Mc>>>>Get middle level Americans working again
Mc>>>I know how to fix the economy

May be you are right Paul but Ob should be careful as he is more young and fresh .....the American Dream

If I hear "my friends" one more time, I am going to SCREAM...

Why are we waiting 'til now to worry about alt. fuel source (I know the answer...)

Where is he gonna get the money to do "all three at once" if taxes stay the same?

Good priority list from Ob.....
Mc needs to come up with some real solid to make .....

McCain playing to the lowest common demoninator, i.e. the uninformed who just 'believe' what they're told.

He states much of the $700bn a year spent on foreign energy finds its way into the hands of terrorists. I little doubt he believes that, and nor does anyone with a modicum of knowledge surrounding world affairs, politics, and an eye on which states sponsor what.
Unfortunately I am not so sure that the Fox-News viewing tabloid-reading average middle-america 'white working class' individual voter is so readily aware of the facts, as opposed to the rhetoric.

Yes......Glenn...........friends or the spelling should be FRY ENDS

who seems the more confident?

Sorting the US economic crisis won't come from freezing spending on projects other than veteran care and a couple of others.
You freeze funding in education, forgetting inflation, and you're effectively cutting it. Stiflinf education does not help to grow an economy. This is really backward politics.

Am getting bored a bit :-)
Time to get some real new impetus here

David – Obama is speaking more clearly and confidently, concisely and precisely. McCain seems to be rambling a little. A lot of flitting from one thing to another to avoid a coherent argument. Smoke and mirrors perhaps.

David >>>>> to me both look cautious for now

Obama is picking up the tactics of Mc to drop big figures and as its known the ordinary citizen loves to hear that and how one is going to plug that........

My friends.....
Is it possible to gauge the mood of the audience?
Does it seem a highly partisan crowd?

Mc does not have a plan and he is going out after Obams with MY FRIEND to Ob

oooppsps (Obama's getting feisty...)

Now the question is about social security and health reforms and time-period?

David – the studio audience is well behaved as is expected for such a debate.
The cut-away shots to debate party gatherings for the GOP and Dems seem to show the Dems paying close attention, the GOP chattering among themselves.

Yes Glenn,,,,,,,,earlier the better for Ob

Mc looks older today and someone who is overly friend......like an old car salesman calling your name and Friend, friend >>>>>aiming to sell an old car

McCain says he knows how to fix social security – then fails to say how. Not very clever.

Friends friends friends.............reminds me of taxi drivers in a tourist spot ready to take all the money

Did McCain say the British "do nuclear" energy?

Oh dear oh dear.
We have a handful of ancient decrepit reactors nearing the end of their lives, and parliament can't decide whether they can get away with replacing them or not, and has left us with a potential 15 year gap of energy production we'll need to fill. Hardly a country with a nuclear model to look to.

obama has become THAT ONE for Mc

Hey anyone out there!!!! More comments will be welcome
:-)

...surely the british have a surfeit of wind...... or is that parliments'
hot air??
Bad attempt at humour. apologies.

Thanks some fresh air David.........

Now health care is again tackled by Ob...

Mc talks of health with "lets do this ....
and now attacks Ob.....

A geothermal capture system at westminster would power the nation, David!

Mc takes a dig at Biden who had a hair transplant :-)
Will Ob bring out Mc's wife's alleged drug abuse

Nope Ob goes for constructive plan outlining ......

Well, just some visuals for David really....McCain is gripping the mic rather too tightly, and bashing his imaginary walking stick emphatically as usual. Although I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, I find it hard to summarise what he's actually said when his air pummeling reaches it's 'my friends' climax and he shuffles back to his chair. Obama appears to be much more actively considering the comments and looks like his chair is much more comfortable. However, I wonder how many hard core republicans actually watch this debate, I suspect that many of them have decided to vote republican regardless of the candidates. The people who voted for Bush in a second term are obviously not driven by political debate so much as fear, and people tend to be afraid of change. I really hope I am wrong. The world cannot afford another major cock up.

Fiona thanks for that and I like that mic comment :-)

Oh lord..McCain has no substance or clear answers on medical cover.

Watching on ABC TV Australia; glued to the TV; Obama's blowing McCain away – he is reassuring, detailed and seems to have much more of a coherent plan – on climate change, health care, the economy – than McCain who seems be affecting this avuncular pose that must grate particularly with the younger studio and TV audience. Most tellingly McCain seems to be all over the place, either relying on woolly motherhood statements or banal detail, to argue his cause.
....he is a terrible debater and even when he argues he 'voted' against his own party on key legislation we never hear exactly what the Bill was ... McCain is gone!!

Obama.. thanks for your plan to keep the world at peace

Is Obama's steadfastness making the race issue irrelevant? Or is it still the 'elephant in the living room'?
thanks Fiona, very evocative.

McCain looks like a desperate old man. I'm shocked there is anyone out there who buys what this decrepid old man is selling.

Am not on either side, do not have a voting right but watching it as a journalist and finding it hard how Americans can vote for Mc if at all they do :-)

McCain now stating with certainty what 'the situation' would be like if they hadn't made some 'tough decisions' and adding in some random references to Rwanda. See fear comment above. Lets count how many times McCain uses generalised fear evoking references in order to evade answering questions while still sounding profound.

Impossible to take Mc seriously .......pls MY FRIENDS

if i hear a Reagan reference one more time, "my friends", i am gonna scream (again...)

Fiona: great observations about McCANT'S body language...

ooooo – it's getting feisty...

Obama is taking gloves off.......looks like Mc may attack Ob physically as he is gripping his mike

MC Cain is going after Obama America.

David – Well dog gone it, I reckon there's an elephant or two on the ranch tonight.

If McCain knows how to get Bin Laden, and where he is, why didn't he use his almighty influence to do it? He is after all trying to claim outright responsibility and bragging rights for the troop surge. Either he has the influence or he doesn't – or he knows that Bin Laden is worth more to his party alive and at large than 6 feet under the topsoil.

this can be quit interesting...

First time Mc says "Obama is correct"

mccain agreeing with obama for the first time?

OBAMA is winning acc'g to the graph on CNN... McCAN'T is drowning...

Bin Ladin's reason for hitting the world trade centre was to hit America's financial backbone. While McCain is claiming a battle victory in Iraq, it is clear by the recent events in the country that the overall war on terror is being lost, not just by 3000 plus troops, but also 700 billion dollars of tax payers money, & 400,000 american jobs & counting.

Tejinder...thanks you take a note!

Russia is in..........
Mc again says he saw 3 letters KGB in Putin's eyes

Friends in EUrope>>>>>Mc says>>>>>>who here for Mc?????

why will mccain keep repeating seen KGB written on Putin's face?
It should be offending to Russians I bet!

all the Mc supporters are watching FAUX news...

My friends, my American friends: Are you really that bothered about Iraq and Afghanistan? What about education? And that elderly gentleman who is telling us once again that he saw K.G.B. in Putin's eyes? That's from a guy from Europe.

enough w/ the "without preconditions" talking point – it ain't working any more...

Mc knows NOthING about Putin or Russia
and Mc is desperately hoping that Americans will believe his blah blah

McCain just said that he will bring the troops home in victory but not in defeat. What does that mean? Does that mean the troops have to stay there even if they've lost? Or is he proposing that defeat in war is not possible? I can see that taking the stance that defeat is not possible is an attractive one, but, like santa claus, it's just not true.

I would not like to be one of the troops in Iraq hearing this, you guys have to stay there until there's a clear victory out of this mess.

This is sounding like a whitewash ( not referencing race card, mind)
My Friends, my friends ( Mickey Rourke in Barfly anyone?)

and there IS almost a second holocaust happening in the gaza strip... minus the death camps... the gaza strip is the jewish ghettos that hitler created...

I would prefer a debate that isn't a rerun. I already know I'm voting for Obama, but I still would have liked more than rhetoric from both candidates. There was little new insight from in much of tonight's debate, not nearly enough, but McCain scares me!

tamara... i agree... at least those people out there on the fence may see the futility of McCain...

Finishing on such a loose end with Mc hardly saying anything

can i go to bed now? yawnnnnnnnnnnnn

I repeat I do not have a vote....am European but my wife is American and watching with me and we can see Mc failed miserably

the best thing in this election is that the people want to see and hear the reality

HellllllllllllOOOOOOOOO Jonathan, where are you to sum it all up our Canadian friend?????

Great Setting Tom held the candidates back though i almost wanted to see fist cuffs... on certain issues.

Obama won McCain Was too negative.

Bequia (Beck-way)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines

if MCCAN'T wins, the US gets everything coming to us...

ok lets take our bow
Thanks friends who were with us today and feel free to get in touch if you want to read more on European side of the Atlantic.
http://tejindersinghtito.blogspot.com/
Have a good night to Americans and Good morning to fellow Europeans and Good day to friends in Asia
Cheer,
Tejinder Singh
Brussels
Belgium

I think McCain did himself no favours outside his core base voters tonight. Repetitive, flat, and not particularly coherent on policy.
I can't see many independents and floating voters being wooed by his performance tonight.

As an aside – did anyone else consider his proximity to audience members inappropriate and uncomfortable at times, as he tried to get among them? A little needy, if not seedy.

Finally, Obama cleverly stays on message, 'we need fundamental change', and McCain resorts to patriotic sentiment, 'I'll always put my country first'. Why doesn't this surprise me at all? And why, still, does the former sound more convincing?

They talk about national security but never about relieving us from the disturbing new rules and problems we are facing in airports. They can talk about installing the most sophisticated machinery in our airports to stop taking the milk from the infant going into airplane and start easing the visits of the real business people who want to do honest business with us. They can hire better people in the airports to distinguish between the good and the bad.
We want national security, and we want them to spend more intelligently in the way that eases our lives instead of just putting the rules to complicate it.

obama wins

HI

I am a soldier, who's deployed in Iraq. McCain does not speak for us. We are tired, worn out, and beat down from constant deployments and not enough time with our loved ones. I am irate that McCain would make such a statement that if we leave Iraq we will feel unaccomplished. That is most certainly not the case, quite the contrary we will feel like our government actually cares about us and our families well being enough to see the emotional and physical damage being inflicted on us. Someone should brief McCain on the suicide, domestic violence, drug abuse, depression, PTSD, and divorce rates that we soldiers are receiving as rewards when we come back from combat. Better yet since we are a hot issue in this election, why doesn't someone ask us how we feel about this war? I suspect they dont care.

Bagdad, Iraq

Obama wins. McCain has nothing to offer.

McCain was trying to be negative and was exceptionally rude with scalling Obahma "that one" how sad, and disrespectful

Obama was very sincerely in his answers to the questions, I was very impressed when he mentioned he couldnt resolve a particular issue within two years....I think our politicians should learn from this.....

To Mr.David Hornblow:
Dear David ,I am a teacher of English in South Korea.We spell "parliments’" as parliaments' here.Sorry to be so pedantic to a Pom.
Sincerely,
Johnno.

It is amasing to me at how many of you people can buy into the Obama message of bigger government and that America needs some one who will allow the American government to become even bigger, as Obama wants it. Isnt The American government already toooooo big? When a government is so controling of the money as the communist governments are and always will be ,how successful were they at bettering the lives of their citizens in the past? It wasnt until they adopted market based economies that they have improved their citizens lives. A market based economy will always have its ups and downs. That is supply and demand. At least with a market based economy your live will improve in the good times so that you will know what a down cycle will have on your lives. A government controled society will always only keep you poor. and you will never know what the good times will bring you. My vote is for John Mc cain!!

"That one" was he serious. quite shocking if you may ask me!

Ron in Iraq

I have never heard Obama say anything about making the government bigger. If by bigger you mean government spending, then you neglected to mention the 816 billion dollar bail out plan just passed by congress, signed by George Bush, which John McCain rushed to washington to be apart of. What is really amazing is John McCain has yet to lay out a plan for economic improvement unless you want to call his response "I can fix it" a plan. Futhermore who wants to know good times and bad times when it comes to economic and foreign policy? I believe the goal of Americans is steady and stable progression and feeling safe in their cities and towns.

Bagdad, Iraq

Furthermore, who exactly is "you people"?

"It is my candid advice to my esteemed candidate of the Democrats, Sen Barack Obama that he should never allow his image to be soiled,especially in this last lap of a relay race to the beyond of becoming the next American President"
'From all indications,the opposition candidate,Sen John McCain has a rather weak case regarding this election which,if what we read in the media is correct,may not even enjoy the backing of his own political party. So,in effect,the Senator is swimming against the tide as far asthis Presidential election is concerned". Justina,from Abuja Nigeria.

I am an ex-American living in Australia. I choose to live in Australia because I could no longer stand the conserative nature of the USA. I am sure the conseratives that read this will say right on, but you are wrong. I play a very constructive role here and have helped in numerous charity events.
Conseratives in the USA for some time have not been an inclusive group of people. It is always us vs them with this lot.
While Australia is not perfect even the worst of the conseratives here care a little about what happens to those that struggle.
I hope Obama wins. McCain and Palin seem to be more of the same.

That One?!

How can McCain refer to Obama as "that one". Had Biden did that to Palin, the sky would have fell.

I thought Obama did a terrific job but he has to sharpen his plan, be more specific with his proposals. The old man is weary and burdened. I think McCain needs a rest, he looked edgy, unfocused, spewing too much detail and exhorting us all with his soft voice and big stick as if to say " you know I have the answers and I don't have to even be standing here arguing my case". I am from Ghana so I do not have a vote but we are watching.

regarding Energy and the Economy:
The gov't has shown it can easily raise a trillion (or 5 during the Bush term alone) so why not raise a couple more to set up a Manhattan or Apollo type project to produce solar cells dirt cheap. We probably can pay off our national debt by selling these to the world. Then the whole world gets unlimited supply of cheap and clean energy.

Please help bring the suggestion to the politicians
thanks

I visit USA for business and private reasons for 20 years now and really like American people a lot. I am so desperately hoping and wishing for USA that Obama will win the Presidential election , because that will definitely bring the European allies back into the boat not only on foreign policy . We currently get a feeling how close the world needs to work together to face the challenges in economy , climate change and foreign policy in order to be successful at the end of the day. The last 8 years ruined the reputation of USA in many , many countries around the world . American people do not deserve that . As a German at the age of 50 having been all over the world I know what it means to suffer from cracy, evil political leadership in our past even that I was not born and my parents where children when Hitler took over being elected by a bit more than 40 % at the time. I am personally still thankful , that USA´s intervention offered me the chance of living in a free and democratic society my whole lifetime so far. On the other hand what worked for Germany does not necessarily work for all countries due to historic and cultural differences . Personally I always got the impression that basically people with their wishes , desires , fears and worries are pretty much the same all over no matter wether they are black , white , yellow or whatever , being Christians , Muslims , Buddhists or whatever and the cultural differences make up 10 % being the salt in the soup. When I see Barack Obama today being so close to become USA´s first black man being elected for President of course Martin Luther King comes into my mind " I have a dream ! " That this is possible today shows the real greatness of USA and their people. On that background I will also say " God bless America " , which honestly you hear too often from people who just pretend to love America and the values of peace and freedom. I keep my fingers crossed !!!!! and in my oppinion Obama won the 2 nd debate with a clear victory!!!! , kind regards , Klaus Sawall

The winning of Barrac OBamma will symbolize to the whole world as the starting point of Healing Of Black with White America. The superpower concerned in the act of electing a president will be a subliminal message to all with a one-way portal from our barbaric situation. The past slavery record and the current oppressive invisible slavery in many forms are still pounding our consciousness till today. I really don’t care who wins the American race as long as it unites the whole world into one single greater cause for the sake of humanity. Please…. The big CHALLENGE of “The Change” must come with a barrage of changes in how you treat your own and your neighbors like Cuba who have literally suffered the fate of the HISTORICAL concentration camp endorsed by a leading DEMOCRACY.

I think Mc cain is the best choice naw. How ever there is just 2 choices. Obama has some ide, but he doesn't have eny experience.

Is there really a choice between the present candidates? Both of the premiere political parties have chosen their perspective leaders to run for the office of president of the United States and try to influence the people of the country that one is better than the other. But as you look into history, does either major party standout from the other? Each have made numerous promises in order to get elected but have either ever delivered on all these promises?

The people of the United States deserve to have these pledges carried through. Some people feel with the failure to maintain these promises it is essentially a breech of promise or the same as contempt of the people. For the people who really want the “Change” they should also want the respect that they also deserve.

With the men and women of the armed forces that volunteer their lives to serve the country, they rely on their Commander In Chief in directing the use of the services. Today there are more veterans living on the streets then many other countries. The people, whom serve their country face obstacles that many others don’t, such as the injuries, loosing their families, lack of support services offered, lack of the means to survive after these conflicts, and many other controllable problems. Which of these candidates will correct these issues?

The working class people whom spend their lives working and supporting various sizes of families, which loose their homes because the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) decides that there is a catch or loop holes in the system they can use to take peoples homes. With the constant reconfiguration of the tax laws people have to continuously anticipate hard times. Do you think that either of these candidates will change that?

A lot of countries looking from the outside into the American Presidential race have many questions that really are hard to answer. With the “Bail out” how much does it really cost? What is the price of one controversial war? Or the price maybe selected aid packages to other nations? What would actually happen or what would it cause to bailout or aid your own country?

So ask yourself if these candidates will answer or correct some of the questions you face everyday. Make the choice that you feel is the best and excise your right to vote and choices that will strengthen the country. Don’t waste your vote to serve any one political party but a clear and honest choice. The right to vote is one of the most neglected avenues for the people to take back or initiate the “Change that Americans need”.

When Americans think of the world – they still appear to do so in the in terms of the "free world" and the "communist" world. Well the world just changed. Those extremes have both been proved untenable – the Berlin wall fell and Wall street just crashed – defining then a middle path. Many, many people think now in terms of intelligent human coexistence where collaboration more than competition is the driver of progress. We need a man to lead this new more humane and less antagonistic world – if leadership falls to America, she will need a president that can lead it to act as expected. That man appears to be an Obama – trusted by all.

I dont understand why the moderator is giving precious air time to lies. Obama already refuted McCain with his direct disavowal but McCain insists it is fact. How I wish the moderator knowing it would be asked would have settled the issue right there and then

Im writing from Michigan and I believe Obama won. I think McCain reinforced his image as erratic and bombastic. He looked old school and Obama addressed the questions reasonably and with poise.

Why is the the only black guy analyst standing up and everyone else is sitting?

i wonder how foxnews claim to be "just reporting the news and being neutral" when they have chicken heads like hannity literally campaigning for the republicans. this is a guy who has come upfront and said he is republican and said he would vote mac cain who spends his time shooting down president obama . thankfully its not working . viva obama

Post Debate!

I’ve just can’t believe!!!!

On the best part of the discussion with the political team we got cut out by CNN International to watch World Sports, that’s not fair, that shows no respect for yours viewers whatsoever!

Thanks for nothing!

Hi
In my country Sweden we all really hope for a big change in USA. After the debate tonight we are sure that the American people will make the right choice the 4th of November. The election in USA is a big issue here. If Senator Obama will be your next President we can start loving you again. Just keep the guy alive.

BR
John

Barack Obama 2008 will become the USA President. He’s more honest and appeal sincere. He has a good character about him. I believe he will make better and wiser decisions about the war on Iraq and economy. His policies and view is to better the health cares system and to give more support to the education system. More liberated, he understands the new era. He will not raise tax to the minimum wage earner.Pro women and gay rights. Decent family man with good values and high morals.
Vote wisely VOTE OBAMA!!!

I watched all the debate and saw the difference between bitterness, hatred & untruth vs. a strong, progressive and positive attitude. For Americans, the choice is clear. It's all over.

I am a management consultant dealing with critical business issues and trying to resolve often heated crises in companies. The opening remarks of our facilitation sessions are: 'Attack the issues; not the individual. Attack the policies; not the person.'
I find that Obama consistantly attacks the issues and the policies of his opponent, whereas McCain has far too often attacked the character of Obama (often through his running mate Sarah Palin). This is what will lose him the election.
Tonight, at last, he began attacking the issues and policies. It might be too little too late, but at least he's finally on the right track. If he continues this trend, and if Obama does too, perhaps the electorate will be able to make its decision on the important things that will determine the future of a once great nation.
Good luck, America. We still need you in this world. Don't let us down.

Ayers and the weather undergroung walk hand in hand. the weather ungerground is know to have killed no less than three police officers. . the weather underground a terro group that Obama has links to ( Ayers) police officers do not like Obama and as a constable I do not like Obame and will vote for John McCain

Watching the debate live from The Netherlands, I have finally come to conclusion that America has "begotten President Obama, who in the likes of Bill Clinton, can restore hope and gear that country back to prosperity". A President who will bring back the respect every American commands, especially to the outside world.