It was fun to watch. Especially in HD.

It showed that both men are basically nice and wannabe healthy guys. Honestly I think either one will make a fine president. Here's my take on the debate:

1. McCain clearly understands the politics of war better than Obama.
2. McCain clearly has more experience and bigger ties to important people.
3. McCain used a lot more rhetoric than Obama.
4. McCain also attacked Obama with a lot more negative interpretation of Obama's past statements. (This is called lying where I come from, but I understand its quite common in politics. Sometimes it was a sincere misunderstanding, but usually I think McCain knew he was not correctly interpreting Obama's words).
5. Obama must have devoted a great deal of time to practicing his interactive speaking because his debating / question answering skills have gone up an order of magnitude. He had very few ums and awes. I was extremely impressed with his ability to tighten his focus. He gets the "most improved campaign" award.
6. McCain never looked Obama in the eyes until the very end. That says a lot, but I can't be certain exactly what it means. In general I only know its not a good thing.
7. McCain said, "that's not true" only a few times (if at all). Obama said it many times.
8. Obama built a bridge between himself and McCain many times throughout the night by using phrases like "I agree with Senator McCain ..." and "I have to give Senator McCain credit ..." McCain not only failed to look his opponent in the eyes, he failed to connect with him in any way until the hand shake at the end. This shows Obama is a much better diplomat.
9. Obama was cool and calm throughout, much cooler and calmer than McCain.

I saw from the very beginning that Obama was going to "win" the debate. My favorite moment came after McCain implied that Obama had voted against funding the troops in Iraq. Obama put that issue to rest by explaining it so well that McCain couldn't bring it up again and look rational. Obama squashed most of McCain's attacks the same way he did the whole funding issue. He said that the issue was not funding the troops, it was the time table. He said that both senators had voted against funding the troops: McCain when there was a timetable and himself when there wasn't. He brought the real issue to the surface and that stood out as an indication of his honesty.

Over and over McCain attacked Obama. Perhaps that's why he couldn't look him in the eyes. Perhaps if he'd looked Obama in the eyes he'd lose his nerve and become the John McCain that I know, the guy he's been dropping piece by piece along his presidential trail since January (or perhaps its that his party has been hatcheting off these pieces). The only good thing about dropping himself piece by piece is that after he loses (that's my prediction) he'll be able to follow the trail of pieces back to himself. I hope he chooses that route.

Obama never attacked McCain, he attacked McCain's position. Do you see the difference? Obama pointed out where McCain voted and showed the differences between them, following the lead of the moderator. This shows Obama's basic honesty.

Until this debate I was convinced that if it weren't for the Republican Party, John McCain would make a better President. Now I'm not so sure. Obama's ability to rise to an occasion cannot be ignored. He has done an outstanding job re-imagining himself as President.

The Republicans destroyed McCain's chances when they decided to control him. Once I saw that the party was in control, I realized that we can't vote Republican. That's because the Republican party has become, in my opinion, "The Imperialists Party."

The Democrats are still whiny, wannabe super heroes, but at least they aren't as manipulative as the Republicans. At least they aren't driven by the mighty dollar. They still seek to control, but at least its because they think they can make us better.

I know I won't vote for McCain. Right now I wish there was a third candidate I could vote for. I'm seriously tired of bipartisan politics.