03:30 Obama returns to his normal line, smooth repetition, and the debate draws to a close. Early verdict: McCain proves wanting. He falls terribly short. Despite a more combative performance, he can't expect to have made the necessary impact. This wasn't even close. Even Joe the Plumber can't save him.
03:28 McCain scores points on vouchers in DC... we're rushed into closing statements. The Republican speaks awkwardly and vaguely, not at all persuasive.
03:23 Sparring on education. McCain retreats to Republican talking points. Obama is more flexible, defending charter schools while attacking the voucher mentality.
03:14 Obama is strong in supporting Roe vs. Wade. Once again, McCain feebly waves at Obama's record. Rebuffed with confidence and clarity.
03:06 The Republican continues to clutch at straws. Deploys strategic Freudian slip by calling Obama "Senator Government".
03:01 Health insurance time: Obama wants people to band together for the greater good. Damn pinko, says McCain. Isn't that right, Joe the Plumber? Healthcare is not American, it's Canadian and E n g l i s h. Yuck.
02:55 McCain is fearmongering. Compares Obama to Herbert Hoover.
02:52 McCain gets into specifics. He's trying to be as boring as Obama. I don't think scoring points on Colombia really helps him.
02:49 Clash of the energy platforms. Statistics come to Obama's rescue once again. Math = bludgeoning impression of authority.
02:43 McCain has to justify his selection of Sarah Palin. Does so by demonising the "old boy network". Wrong move, Johnny boy.
02:39 Obama brushes the allegations off his shoulder. McCain feebly lays siege again, but the catapults fall way short. Obama is chuckling.
02:36 McCain: "Those women, who wear hats, at my rallies... they're not a lynch-mob." Keeps on going. Beating the Ayers and ACORN drum.
02:31 For Obama to bring up, in specifics, the horrific language surrounding McCain's rallies, in this frank and conversational way, is just devastating for McCain.
02:29 McCain tries to make the case that Obama has been the negative campaigner. So Obama is now d e s t r o y i n g him.
02:25 The elephant is smashing the room. Time to get dirty.... and McCain definitely does so, mentioning assassination a la Hillary Clinton.
02:24 Obama says "reach across the aisle". Drink! Insists that McCain is very much like Bush. McCain disagrees: he has the scars to prove it.
02:22 Obama reminds everybody that McCain is in Bush's Republican party. McCain responds strongly - I really think so - saying that he isn't George Bush, and that if Obama wanted to run against George Bush he should have done so four years ago. But then he goes and talks about wielding hatchets and scalpels again. Bloodthirsty. Obama is now defending his bi-partisan record.
02:19 McCain said "pork-barrel". Drink!
02:17 After Obama promises an "ethic of responsibility", McCain promises that he's a real fighting man; he can double-fist the hatchet and the scalpel.
02:15 Obama once again is the details man. It didn't seem very convincing to me last time around. It does now. Practice makes...
02:12 Obama shouldn't have said, "Nobody likes paying taxes." But McCain quickly switches from helping Joe the Plumber to advocating the needs of business. Republican populism a bit thinly veiled these days?
02:10 Obama is strong on his tax plan, blows McCain's pathetic plea for Joe out of the water. McCain smarting, pulls out the age-old, rusting Republican weapon: "class warfare".
02:08 Grandfather McCain offers to protect Joe's hard-earned income. But will Joe the Plumber really qualify for a higer tax bracket? Really?
02:05 McCain begins disarmingly, barely mentioning and not attacking Obama, and outlining a new house ownership proposal. Obama responds blandly, draws a technical distinction.
02:03 And we're off. Nancy Reagan's pelvis is the first item on McCain's domestic fix list.