Live-Blogging the 1st Debate

I have never live-blogged before. But, I find myself still at the office and in front of a computer watching the first presidential debate on CNN live stream. So, here goes:

9:04 p.m. I agree with Senator Obama on CEOs not getting golden parachutes following government bail-outs.

9:09 p.m. Jim Leher: "We can negotiate a deal right here." Good line.

9:11 p.m. Senator McCain: "A lot of us saw this train wreck coming." Really? Too bad more wasn't done about it.

9:13 p.m. I don't think the senators understand the "talk to each other" idea. Mastering it could help win the debate. Probably would have helped if the debate organizers had sat the candidates and moderator at a table instead of using podiums.

9:17 p.m. Senator McCain: "I've got a pen." Ugh.

9:22 p.m. Senator McCain's example of Ireland's lower business taxes was a good defense of his proposal to cut those.

9:28 p.m. It's depressing to think of how the financial system bailout may limit the ability of tax dollars to go to other worthy goals -- especially infrastructure development and increasing the amount of student grants for higher education.

9:34 p.m. Senator Obama is correct that we need more investment in early childhood education. But, I'm not certain that it's the proper role of the federal government. Seems like that it something better left to state and local governments -- if a higher percentage of our tax dollars stayed at those levels.

9:39 p.m. It's telling that it wasn't until 40 minutes into the debate that there was a question on Iraq. (Remember, this debate was supposed to be about foreign policy.)

9:46 p.m. Senator McCain would serve himself better if he would turn his body toward Senator Obama and speak to him directly. He would seem more human and real. Senator Obama seems much more comfortable and more nimble.

9:57 p.m. Senator Obama: "... singing songs about bombing Iran." That was stupid.

10:00 p.m. I don't mean to be disrespectful to the soldiers who died, but I'm not fond of the bracelet references. It's so contrived.

10:04 p.m. This would have been so much more helpful if Senator McCain had followed the format and spoken directly with Senator Obama. He has yet to call him by his first name. Senator Obama has been saying "John" since the second or third reference.

10:08 p.m. I need to look up "centrifuge." Or is that "centrofuge"? Senator Obama is getting professorial ...

10:12 p.m. I think Senator Obama probably wins more votes on this question of meeting with antagonistic foreign leaders (maybe even clear enemies). It shows he is broad-minded and intellectually brave. But, Senator McCain is correct that it does give the bad guys legitimacy.

10:16 p.m. Somebody get Kissinger on the phone and just settle this one. ;-)

10:19 p.m. I hate it when someone calls an opponent naive. The honorable gentleman from Arizona should do better.

10:22 p.m. I have a 10:31 p.m. train into the city to catch so this is my last thought on the debate. I think it's pretty much a draw. Neither senator really said anything we haven't heard before.

Too bad.