Fight Night Live Blog

7:29:
I may just be hungry, but I think this debate is starting to lose some steam. I can't think of too many 30-second sound bytes throughout, which is probably good for Obama, really. My impression- McCain keeps talking down to Obama, but has a better ability to control the conversation. It's bizarre- Obama is a great orator, but kind of rambles in a debate. McCain is a horrendous speaker, but is engaging and emotional in a debate.

McCain relied very heavilyin this debate on bringing up his decades of experience. Is this a smart move? Are people looking for that right now? Also, is it smart for McCain to keep bringing up on-the-job training? I mean, has he met Sarah Palin?

7:24:
McCain says offshore drilling is a "bridge." Sorry, dude, it's really not. Gotta say he's ranting.

7:19:
Did anyone else notice that McCain is not wearing lapelle pin?

7:15:
McCain just got pretty pissy over his friend of 35 years Dr. Kissinger. I think he took that one a little too far. Obama should have been a bit more patient, but I think McCain looked worse.

7:10:
Personally, I'd love to have Ahmadenijad over for tea.

7:03:
What is this second holocaust thing? I heard Sarah Palin say it too...

7:00:
Obama has a bracelet too!!!!! These bracelets smell like exploitation.

6:53:
Hmmm- McCain saying how it's more complicated than more troops. I have to say, McCain's owning this issue right now. At least he's sounding like he genuinely knows more. Obama, saying McCain sung songs about bombing Iran... zing! McCain is now discussing his war voting record- not sure where he's going with this. "So, I have a record." Oh God, here comes the bracelet.

6:46:
Now we're getting a lot of back and forth. This is getting pretty good. Arguing about what the Generals are really saying. I think Obama is holding his ground- giving some specifics about how to deal with Afghanistan & Pakistan. Complaining how we're funneling tons of money with McCain's support to Pakistan with no action in return.

6:40:
McCain discussing Iraq. Is it just me, or is he claiming victory in Iraq? Obama chaging this to Afghanistan... good move. Iraq- 10Billion dollars a month. This is a little rambling to be honest. McCain says the past here doesn't matter to the next president. McCain asking why Obama didnt have oversight hearings about Iraq... Obama- that's senate baseball. Obama- yes, bring up McCain's comments about Iraq being quick and easy. Keep going, keep going, sir.

6:37:
Obama just had good attack on McCain voting for all of Bush's budgets. Seriously, we know you're a maverick. We know you're not Miss Congeniality.

6:30:
McCain still talking about wasteful spending- contract overspending, blah, blah. Obama, we've got to do something about insurance and healthcare lobbying. i.e. get this google for government thing up. McCain is proposing a spending freeze. Uh, wow, is that really a good idea? Let's just shut this thing down.

6:23:
No clear frontrunner here. McCain criticizing Obama for flip-flopping!!!? Obama- here's what he have to have: (a) Energy Independence. (b) Healthcare reform. (c) Education reform. (d) Infrastructure improvements. Fairly general descriptions, but notice, heavy on the domestic issues. McCain- hard to reach out to someone as liberal as Obama. What a dick face.

6:19:
Obama, "Eliminating earmarks is not the solution here." Man, Lehrer wants direct confrontation.

6:17:
Hmmm- have to say, McCain is being pretty direct and effective here. But, damn, he keeps recycling his jokes.

6:15:
"Bear DNA" joke again?????? "You will know their names" line again???? Seriously, come on. Throw me a frickin bone.

6:13:
Jim Lehrer: "OOOOKKKK, nice points but what are you guys going to actually do about this mess?" McCain getting on the earmark schpeal.

6:10:
McCain talking about calling for firing of SEC head. Didn't we already dismiss that idea? Eeeks- some awkwardness here. Do they talk to each other directly or not?

6:05:
McCain's not feelin too great. Poor guy. This guy needs a fake laugh track- jokes feel a little awkward here.

6:03:
Obama: "Can't think of a better time to talk about the future of the country." Main Street stuff- fairly typical stuff here. Listing rqments of any bailout. Bringin it back to Bush. Linking Bush to McCain. Wrap it- ship it.

6:01:
Here we go. Jim Lehrer with the intro. "Rule number one- no touching of the hair"

5:58:
Whoa. John didn't say "Bye-Bye." What is this world coming to?

5:51:
They've moved on to Bill Clinton. What is the dude really thinking? Does he want McCain to win? John asks, "Did Obama make a mistake not picking Clinton?" Mort, "Yes." Ummm.... did anyone see Palin's interview with Couric. Oooh- Elenor disagrees. Clinton is still too controvesial.

5:47:
Now on the McLaughlin Group on PBS. Setting up a section on economic bailout. Reviewing the salaries of various bank CEOs. Basically, they're f-ing rich. Mort Zuckerman says taxpayers will make back some of this money. Tony? Tony? No Tony Blankley tonight. John says, "WRONG!"

5:45:
Bob Schieffer on now: McCain's intent was good, but crashed and burned once back in Washington. Not looking so good for McCain...

5:43:
Katie Couric discussing the pre-debate drama. Ooooh. Obama- "It's important to just move forward" with the debate. Do I hear a "silly-season" coming?

5:40 PM Pacific:
Hello friends and family....er, hello family. Iiiiiiiiittttt's fight night!!!! McCain vs. Obama. It's Greg here, soon to be joined by Sarah for a fancy live blog of the debate. Refresh your browser to see this post updated as we move along the night.