Debate Liveblog

What would you cut now given the financial problems?

Obama: Remains to be seen but Independents like the energy idea that Obama is promoting and fixing the health care system. He's doing better now that they're off the earmark issue. Let's see if McCain is a one trick pony or not. Obama scored on that one.

McCain: we need to cut spending. Yeah yeah yeah. Now he's calling Obama a liberal but Independents don't like hearing that. Wants to cut some defense spending. No argument there. McCain knows how to do it. It's all about cutting spending. Doesn't sound like either one of them is going against any of their programs.

Lehrer called them on it. Obama's saying that individual components of his energy program may need to go. Obama's slamming lobbyists and now, put a nice spin on McCain calling him a liberal -- says that's only because he was opposing Bush's wrongheaded policies.

Lehrer wants specifics. McCain wants a spending freeze on everything but military and "several vital issues." Obama says to do that would be using a hatchet where you need a scalpel. Nice. We're spending $10 billion a month in Iraq he says, we need to end the war which will save money. McCain wants offshore drilling and nuclear power. How much does nuclear power cost, John? Millions of dollars a pop. How is that saving money?

I think Obama's finding his groove now... he seems more relaxed. About fucking time.