Debate Liveblog

Finally, Iraq.

More McCain platitudes about Iraq. He's acting like the war is over. Consequences of defeat would have been increased Iranian influence, a wider war, etc. Um, isn't that what's happening now? Iran has never had more influence in Iraq than now.

Obama's saying he opposed the war in the first place because we hadn't finished the war in Afghanistan. This is resonating with the Independents on the graph. We took our eye off the ball. And we're still spending $10 billion a month there when they have a $79 million surplus. Or was it billion? We should never hesitate to use military force but we have to use our military wisely in Iraq.

Now McCain's talking about the surge. He's blaming him for not going to Iraq. To this day he's never had a hearing on Afghanistan. Hard shots.

Obama's saying that the violence is down but the surge was a tactic to deal with the mess that started in 2003. And McCain said when the war started it was going to be quick and easy, that we would be greeted as liberators. Oooh some big smacking going on. McCain's trying to smile but it looks like a pissed off twitch.

McCain's answer: talking about the troops. More bullshit about people who reenlisted and said "Let us win." Wonder if all troops agree with that. Like the ones who are being called back 4 times. Why doesn't Obama say that violence is only down because we're paying off Sunnis not to shoot at our soldiers.

This is a good line for Obama; he's holding his own and more.

McCain's smirking is silly and condescending. It reminds me of Gore's sighing against Bush in 2000,