Debate Liveblog

What's the likelihood of another 9/11?

McCain, who finally has to go first, said it's less likely than it was 7 years ago. No one is going to touch that one. We need to make sure that we have good interrogators so we don't torture people ever again, we have to work more closely with out allies, but America is safer today. We have a long way to go.

Obama: we're safer in some ways, airport security, securing targets, but we still have a long way to go. We need to harden chemical sites, ports. The biggest threat we have is nuclear weapons coming in on a suitcase. Republicans and Independents agree. He's doing well on this. Al Qaeda is operating in 60 countries. The root cause is in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is important for us to understand that the way we are perceived in the world makes a difference in rooting out terrorism and getting help. We are less respected now than we were 8 years ago. Gives props to McCain on the torture issue. We have a lot of work to do to restore that sense that America is that shining beacon on a hill. He hit this out of the park with all three parties.

McCain: Senator Obama doesn't understand that if we fail in Iraq, we will lose to the terrorists, they will establish a base. Even Republicans are not jumping on this. Not a good line for McCain.

Obama: Over the last 8 years, this administration and McCain have been solely focused on Iraq. Al Qaeda is resurgent, bin Laden is still out there, China is taking over, and we have weakened our ability to project power in the world because of this war. All three parties are buying this. Now he's talking about what we can do with $10 billion a month. We haven't funded veterans' care, health care, we have put all chips in Iraq, and no one is talking about losing this war, but the next President has to have a broader strategic vision about all the challenges we face. Nicely done.

McCain: playing the experience card. He's saying that Obama doesn't have the knowledge or experience. Wow, really putting it out there. Time to talk about Palin, Barack. McCain knows that he'll take care of the veterans. He loves them. He'll take care of them. Well, why haven't you led on this in the past 26 years then, John? He doesn't need on the job training.

Obama: is talking about his narrative. Not sure this is the best way to go. But it's resonating with the audience. He didn't respond to the experience point though. He really needs to do that.