Well, the debate’s about to begin, having been preceded by hours of discussion on the cable networks. The consensus among politicos seems to be that John McCain will be taking a big risk in a town hall format if he decides to ignore the economy in favor of attacking Barack Obama’s character, which they say could easily backfire. I say the old curmudgeon is desperate and he’ll go for the jugular anyway. I guess we’ll know soon.

Typical intro by Tom Brokaw, blah, blah, blah

Brokaw asks each candidate who they’d appoint as Secretary of the Treasury; McCain decides to throw a sucker punch out of nowhere and says “not you, Tom” (weird). It’s a vacuous question at this stage of the game; what’s in a name out of context? Brokaw should have asked them what kinds of policies they’d want their Treasury Secretary to pursue.

McCain drops a bombshell in calling for another huge Federal bailout of additional mortgages on top of the $700 billion we all just got stuck with. Very strange move.

McCain throws the first punch about ten minutes in, linking Obama to Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac. Obama counters. Been there, done that.

McCain continues to attack, but it’s pretty mild stuff.

Both candidates are asked to tell what kinds of sacrifices they’ll ask of Americans; neither really answers.

McCain looks angry and agitated, Obama relaxed and confident. The contrast of their personas is striking.

Obama wants to respond to a McCain accusation; Brokaw asserts himself and goes on to the next question, but asks it in such a way that Obama can give his original response, zinging McCain with a shot at the “straight talk” express.

McCain tries to land some zingers, but they’re stiff and the staid attempts at humor seem out of place in the face of today’s continued crashing of the stock market and economy. He also begins to use “my friends” repeatedly.

Brokaw continues to whine about the candidates going over their time; Tom, they’re the stars of the show, not you.

McCain is becoming more strident and curmudgeonly, and disrespectful, callously referring to Obama at one point as “that one.”

Almost an hour into the debate; no big fireworks; nothing new being said.

McCain attacks Obama’s health care plan. McCain makes another lame joke, this time about hair transplants, and offers a bizarre plan involving walk-in clinics.

Asked whether health care is a privilege, a right or a responsibility, McCain calls it a responsibility, but never says whose. Obama gives an impassioned plea and claims it’s the right of every American.

Stunningly, McCain says, "My friends, we are not going to be able to provide the same benefit for present-day workers that we are going -- that present-day retirees have today."

I think we’ve hit double-digits with “my friends.”

Foreign policy is now on the table; McCain is dismissive; Obama hits back, i.e. same old, same old.

Yep, we’ve hit double digits with “my friends.”

McCain accuses Obama of wanting to bring the troops home in defeat, same old Republican mantra of Democrats are weak on defense.

McCain repeats the phony charge that Obama is reckless and would announce a strike against Al Queda in Pakistan prior to conducting it. Obama reminds the audience of McCain singing “bomb bomb Iran” and stating North Korea should be annihilated. Same as in their last debate.

Ten minutes left (I hope) and so far McCain has (wisely) not brought up Bill Ayers or Jeremiah Wright.

McCain wants Georgia to join NATO. Does that mean another Russian incursion into that country will commit us to going to war with Russia?

McCain and Obama spar on the Middle East (Iran as a threat to Israel and others); same charges and counter-charges we’ve heard before.

Damn! It’s already 9:30, which means this thing will be running over.

Obama gives an inspiring answer to the final question; McCain gives a nice wrap-up.

Now I can eat.

Postscript: McCain never mentioned Sarah Palin, but he said “Joe Lieberman and I” on three separate occasions. He also referred to General David Petraeus as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Moments after the debate ended, Cindy and John McCain left the hall; Michelle and Barack Obama continued to interact with the crowd for nearly 30 minutes.

Finally, tonight makes two entire debates, over three hours, in which John McCain has yet to literally speak the words “middle class.”