Milwaukee Mike...of course a rebuttal and my take...

Actually, I think most who support either candidate can claim a win. The most overt lie of the evening was by Obama stating that he did not say that he would meet unconditionally with leaders. Obama clearly indicated in a previous U-tube debate where questioned specifically if he would meet unconditionally with leaders of Venzuela, Iran, North Korea (I think) or Syria during his first term in office, he answered unequivocally "I would". I think the mistake Obam made was that he really beloabored this point and tried to hard to explain his way out of it so much so McCain scores huge on the parsing of words comment at the end. I think it likely that this will be used agaisnt Obama in the coming weeks as it does show a lack of judgment and a refusal to own up to his own mistakes. This was just plain stupid of Obama.

Obama made huge points about the taxing of healthcare benefits and McCain's refusal to address it. I think this will have a direct effect on women voters. Women who they themselves or their husbands get healthcare from work will probably be disturbed by this. However, women whose families pay the cost of healthcare will prefer McCain. The increase in the child tax credit will strenghten McCain in these reagrds and for working families, the child tax credit will make up for the difference of the taxation where you have two children or more. So I think McCain was wise in staying away form the topic and leave it for later.

Mom called me and said McCain definitely won...I was less convicned and thought Obama came out on top to the average American and Obama came out on top....I think it was a tie although Dick Morris stated my thoughts well...that it was a two fold debate where Obama won on the first half on the economy and the second half McCain with foreigh policy, that with the interest of the economy breing foremost in the voter's mind, Obama comes out on top in the end.

As for blinking, no big deal noticed here, but in terms of the McCain smirk/smile, it was clear that McCain was uncomfortable and unsure and it appears slightly deceitful. Obama's ractions almost like a high school kid with the shaking his head, raising his eyebrows and attempting to interrupt somewhatr negates this however and I think they both end up equally credible.

Finally, I do wonder how the independents will feel about the ending issue of proven experience and judgment. With Obama, all we really have from a national pespertive is a bunch of poressorial book knowledge, one year in the Seante and two yaers of campaigning for president. WE have very little to judge him by experience and record of the the issues but for mostly his campaign. I have always felt this is where Obama is very vulnerable and why I could never vote for him particuarly considering how many times he has changed his mind on the campaign trail. I think this is how best to attack Obama....drive home a lack of record and indecisiveness and changing his mind during his campaign using soundbits and blurbs of his mutations to the point where some will think he will indeed say or do anything to get elected.