36.02%	McCain
61.43%	Obama

Comment: Record versus Rhetoric. Record trumps it. Obama = liberal big spender. He will spend like Bush 3. McCain = bipartisan reformer. He will help bring a fractured and dysfunctional legislature together. from Waldoboro by Jonathan

Comment: McCain has certainly changed his approach....much more casual and carefree, however, he is certainly pointing the finger to everyone but himself. from standish, ME by Cynthia

Comment: McCain can't get anything right. He always falsely accuses Obama. Obama actually answers all the questions. from Portland Maine by Tom

Comment: sen obama is answering the questions ,mccain is evading the question... from waterford,me by anthony

Comment: Obama has substance to his answers- not just putting down McCain from brunswick Me by Gayle

Comment: 37 minutes into the debate and I've counted 4 times that McCain has attacked Obama with sarcastic, nasty remarks ! Stay on the issues that matter! None of us are interested in nasty remarks! from Portland by Roberta

Comment: I think that Barack Obama has done the best on the issues all around. I think that Obama is answering the questions with more detail, where McCain doesn't seem to answer the questions without attacking the heck out of Barack Obama. So for me it is Obama who is winning this debate. from Old Orchard Beach by Brandon

Comment: HOW CAN MCCAIN SAY HE IS IN TOUCH WITH THE COMMON MAN, HIS WIFE WEARS $280,000 EARINGS?

Comment: Mcain is beating the same topic over and over agian about energy from W Gardiner/ ME by Kim

Comment: So far the only thoughtful responses are Obama's. McCain is misleading and avoiding. He could not answer what his priorities were for reforming spending. Obama called it like I did - energy, then health care, then social security/welfare. from Somerville, ME by Chris

Comment: I think McCain was more direct and gave more details in what he would do when answering the questions..I think Obama avoided giving detailed answers. from Eliot by Jan

Comment: Obama represents a historic chance to demonstrate that we understand a new definition in the word "change" is needed, just as he represents a new "look" in the presidency of the United States. But there is no real "winning" until the people win. by Kathryn

Comment: McCain seems to not be able to answer the questions with any substance. The only thing he seems to be able to do is smear Obama. Frankly I am tired of hearing him not addressing the issues in a truthful manner. God help us if he wins the election.

Comment: I believe that Obama goes to the heart of the matter and answers the questions with honest answers, not just what the people want to hear. McCain said he wanted to tackle everything at once from health care to energy. If it was that was that easy the american people wouldn't be in this situation. from Norridgewock, Maine by April

Comment: Obama has a ton of charisma but really says a whole lot of nothing from Gardiner by Renee

Comment: McCain is the only one answering the questions asked. by Mary Jean

Comment: McCain seemed to be presenting logical suggestions to our countries problems and Obama seemed stuck much of the time on running against George Bush. Barack deal with the issues and forget Bush. He'll be gone in January either way. from Bridgton ME by Roy

Comment: Obama is sticking to he issues, Mcain is slandering. Go OBama you have my VOTE! Mcain does not speack to the publc, he speaks from a pedistal. Obama speaks to you and looks at ou in the face. from Barrington, NH by Christine

Comment: Senator Obama seemed comfortable and well prepared to discuss the issues, whereas Senator McCain seemed rattled and unsure, falling back on arguments that didn't have anything to do with the items posed. from Bowdoinham, Me. by Victoria

Comment: i honestly think mcCain has way more to ofer then obama from westbrook me. by katherine

Comment: Obama understands the needs of the middle class. Those of us who are paying our bills, but have an income that is not growing need a tax break. from Farmington, ME by Barry

Comment: I know we need a change.Mr.Obama I feel we need some improvements in spending.We need new jobs. And put people back to work. And stop spending money we don't have.We need hope and change for a better future. from Lewiston Maine by Terry

Comment: Obama sounds like he knows what he is talking about. McCain is just trying to polish his image. from Raymond by Lynn

Comment: If you really want a change vote for Obama. If you want the same old bull shit vote for McCain. I want change! from Oxford by Anissa

Comment: John McCain seams to know more about what he is talking about,then Barack Obama becouse he has probloms on anwsering questons.so i beleave that McCain would be better for this country.thank you for let'ing me vote on this issue. from JAY,ME. by ROBERT

Comment: I am tired of McCain spouting misrepresentations of the truth elect him and we will give us these same misrepresentations when its critical for truth what separates him from Bush. I guess AGE. from Portland, Maine by Tiffany

Comment: Straight talker, easy to understand his answers to questions from ME by Kay

Comment: John McCain supports nothing but shoveling more public equity onto the hands of the already filthy rich fat cats of corporate America. He continually repeats the same lies in regards to Obama's voting record that have already been debunked by objective, third party watchdogs. He is a decrepit, smelly old sock puppet of the Bush administration- an arthritic old cockatiel whose only trick is being able to regurgitate the usual old catch phrases of the extreme right. While Barack Obama is rallying for helping the common people, McCain seems to think that it's just fine to give giant tax breaks to Wall Street giants and CEOs. CEOs like Steve Fuld of Lehaman Bros., who took a 550 million dollar golden parachute, and jumped out of his company "plane", as it proceeded to crash and burn, with all of the rank- and-file Lehman Bros. employees strapped in for its wild ride, nose- first, into the ground. You couldn't pay me enough to vote McCain. We need new ideas, and a fresh change of face in Washington. McCain is the antithesis of what America needs. from Augusta by Tyler

Comment: McCain seems completely out to lunch and a lot like Bush. Obama is presenting his ideas succinctly. from Portland,ME by Hugh

Comment: McCain hands down. He is focussed, relaxed, respectful to all parties and policy specific. Obama is defensive and vague. He seems shaken and his responses are all over the place. He loves the sound of his own voice. He actually stated "in my first Presidential term." He acts like we don't even need an election because he's already President and planning the next term! That's arrogance. He refused to play by the rules of the debate and was disrespectful to the moderator. from Yarmouth by Michelle

Comment: Sen McCain had more conclusive answers to present problems based upon his experiences - better than Obama's hopeful theories of what should be tried, or tested. from Lewiston, ME by Bertrand

Comment: They both stink, but protecting our borders is still more important to me than the current situation with the economy so McCain gets my vote. from round pond, maine by Rich

Comment: Does McCain think he can win the American people over with just saying "my friends", "my friends", "my friends"? It's time for him to answer the questions that are being asked and not just run off about something completely unrelated to what is asked. Good job Obama! from Sanford by Frank

Comment: i think mccain shold go home all he ever seems to do is smile.and he is always bashing obama that man has something wrong with him if he were the last man on earth i would not even think about voteing for him from me by pauline

Comment: I think Obama is more clear and precise in his answers from benton me. by iris

Comment: With the electoral college deciding the outcome, and turning a close people's vote into a landslide victory, what difference does it make what any of the canidates have to SAY ? from OOB/ME by Kathy

Comment: He has my vote, support and prayers! from Lisbon by Doris

Comment: Senator Obama had some concrete ideas and plans and you could tell he has a lot of good ideas, I like the fact that he is all for the middle and lower class, especially knowing that's where he came from and knows what it is like to struggle. from Lisbon / Maine by Nancy

Comment: McCain did not answer over half the questions He spent the time downgrading Obama.We do not want to see that.How about we pick a President by his merrits. by Paul

Comment: Very tight debate but still to much bickering from Lewiston by Mike

Comment: McCain is a washout, and his Washington records speaks volumes! We don't want more promises you can't keep John! Who wants to be pied pippered down that dark and expensive road 4 more years, certainly not me! VOTE OBAMA 2008! from Maine by Waldo

Comment: I want to see these guys debate Ralph Nader in the next one. from Gorham, ME by Asher

Comment: Obama doesnt answer the questions even the second question asked was who would you make the treasurer head ? Mccain answered right away not obama from westbrook maine by andrew

Comment: Obama is much more in touch with the common man. The issues of how we will pay for health care and so on. from Bath, ME by Jerry

Comment: Tired of McCain's misleading or false comments, he should be penalized for such dishonest manipulation from Portland, ME by Elizabeth

Comment: Obama won easily;McCain was his usual self a fossil from the past from brunswick/maine by joe

Comment: McCain was just more of the same Republican rhetoric. Obama is more focused on what has to be done. from Buxton, ME by Dawn

Comment: Macain appears more Presedental from Sacm by Gary

Comment: I have volunteered for the Obama campaign and honestly, when talking to people, can not believe how uninformed so many are on the issues. This country will do much better with Obama! He does not talk out of both sides of his mouth like the Republicans have done for 8 corrupt years.. from Portland, Maine by Linda

Comment: Toooooo much use of "the gloves" Senator McCain! Too much mud! And then the "BIG Blunder" - "THAT ONE"! Senator Obama won, hands down. from Portland, Maine by Lawrence

Comment: all i hear from mccain are twisted stories about obama, i believe obama is true to his words. from maine by kevin

Comment: I'm a democrat but my vote will be for McCain, its experience I,m looking for. from Buxton Maine by Dot

Comment: Although I am an Obama fan, neither satisfied. It is irritating to try to cut through the messy finger-pointing, and unclear, simplified and misleading statistics the candidates kept throwing out. from ME by Ryan

Comment: If you were making the decision to hire a ceo for a large fortune 100 company, would you consider the young guy out of college with no experience, or would you hire the guy with both the business and life experience the demonstrates to persevere? from scarborough by Lynn

Comment: Obama proved tonight that he does not have the experience needed to keep our country safe. McCain HAS fought for our country, only someone who has done that knows how to keep us safe, which is my biggest concern. from Brunswick, Maine by Kelly

Comment: I wish someone posed the question regarding the candidates' running mates. More specifically, if each candidate felt confident in their respective Vice President's ability to step into the Commander-in-Chief role I would have loved to see if McCain could sell us in his "confidence" in Sarah Palin's ability to take over the helm. from Portland by Pete

Comment: after the debate i noticed McCain tap Obams shoulder and when Obam turned around to shake McCains hand McCain wouldnt shake his hand and pond it off on his wife for a photo opp! Do we want some like that as our president it makes me wonder how much he would take info from his VP which has so many positive thoughts McCain seems fake and ready for a ego power trip to me. I pray God be with uor counrty becuase there are so many snicky things right now in our goverment it makes it hard to vote for what is right from Bethel by Priscilla

Comment: My feelings were confirmed - we don't need a McBush/Palin administration leading our country into troubled times. God help us if it comes to that. from Moody, ME by J.R.

Comment: How many times did John McCain say My Friends? Doesn't he know how to answer questions without using that phrase? from wells by jacqueline

Comment: I am bemused by the thought that we can expect change from someone who has been in the senate for 30 years when I hear McCain harping on about changing how business is done in Washington. What was he doing all these years?? While Obama may not be very experienced he appears to be have a sound judgment and ability to understand the critical issues facing teh nation...it is time that the reins be passed on to someone prepared to deal with the issues of the 21st century. from Cape Elizabeth by A

Comment: McCain is again using Social Security to confuse things it doesn't cost the government we have paid it for years and as a matter of fact when the government needs money it decides we have to much in our accounts and "borrows" what they need. now when are they ever going to pay back what they owe us and when are they going to stop illegals from confiscating our money instead of using us to muddy the waters?? from Old Orchard Beach, Me by Ruth

Comment: I think Obama nailed the debate. He has touched the issues that were critical to Americans. from Lewiston by Abdisalan

Comment: McCaine -Continuing the same failed policies, no change in direction from the Bush policies. Obama supports change in the direction towards the middle class. About Time! from Auburn, Maine by Stephen

Comment: I have had a lot of experience in debate competitions and I can tell you that by every stringent criteria necessary to win Obama bested McCain. It is a simple as that. Clearly Obama's grasp of economic and foreign issues is profound. Obama is the brightest "kid" on the block here. He proved that experience is no substitute for sound judgement. from Falmouth/Maine by David

Comment: Typically, neither candidate was willing to give us many specifics, such as where is all this money coming from that they propose to keep spending so freely (ie: $300 billion buy-up of properties)? I had high hopes that the "town meeting" venue would elicit great questions and hopefully insightful answers; I am extremely disappointed. Tom Brokaw lost control of the time factor, letting the rhetoric flow, thus limiting citizens' questions. He could have used a good egg timer. Personally, I am tired of the arrows and I do not see the slightest bit of "change" in either campaign. My vote is precious to me and if I were voting today, in all good conscience, I could not vote for either of these candidates. I may be forced to write in a better choice. Finally, I find it immoral and obscene that these candidates have spent 1.75 billion (at least) to get elected. Just think of the good that could have been done with those funds. Do we really know any more about either candidate's plans as a result of all that campaigning? from Sabattus by Debbie

Comment: He can talk the talk, but so could Bush. Lets hope for the best this time around! from Standish by Frank

Comment: Obama was very clear and concise on the direction he would like to take this country, McCain seems to be back stepping on earlier stances, hopefully the next debate they will allow the gloves to come off and finish answering questions completely without time constraints. from portland/me by Mike

Comment: Senator OBama is one of us. understands the middle class bracket and it certainly not 5 million dollars as Senator McCain has stated. Barack answers the questions articutely to each person without pointing the finger right off. He is the man we need to lead this country and make peace with other countries. from Winthrop, ME by Violet

Comment: Obama hands down. McCain just doesn't get what we average people are going through. He's a Republican and believes in the trickle down. I wish these politicians realized that if they took that 700 billion dollars and divided it up equally among taxpayers, they would get half of it back in taxes and we would spend the rest. I could surely use $250,000 about now. from Hartford, ME by Lennie

Comment: I think he faced the issues. Mccain showed that he has a good handle on the military issues. He also shows the concern for the economic policies. He does not supprt spending. He also has a genuine concern for jobs here. from Standish, Me by Lee

Comment: your editor is bias, his cuts were lies. out of contex. no wonder the "news" media is going down so fast! from Waldoboro, Me. by John

Comment: John McCain will bring political depth and necessary international experience to the White House. from Leeds / ME by Bill

Comment: I think that McCain is and outstanding individual. He is going to take this country and turn things around in a short period of time. I truely believe that to be true. Obama dances around the questions asked him, He will bring this country to a place where no one really want it to go. from Gray by Diane

Comment: One of them is going to start wit hthe county in bad shape and John McCains the one to take it on haveing been in the Goverment longer. from Standish Me. by Albert

Comment: McCain may have political experiance,obama has main st experience from norway by alison

Comment: Much better command of the issues, even with foreign policy. from Norway by Alan

Comment: I am so tired of the media's bias for Obama. He did a horrible job yesterday. Obama is a racist, sexist, classist snob, and he lost the debate. To report otherwise just shows your media bias. from Biddeford by Jesse

Comment: Unfortunately, Obama has to spend so much time defending himself from the McCain's slams,when he would really rather stick to the issues important to most of us.The republicans are determined to keep us from talking about the real issues- from Owlshead by Scott

Comment: McCain is all about truth.all to often promises are made that the president never sticks to, MaCain is the exception. McCain/Palin 08 from Leeds,ME by Josh

Comment: If you want to see more of the same people should definitly vote for McCain. If you feel it's time for change Obama's the way to go. from Bowdoinham Maine by Sarah

Comment: You can tell McCain is desperate: he continues to go on the attack. from livermore falls, me by tim

Comment: McCain appears to be more realistic then Obama with regards to the ecomony from Buxton by Ellen

Comment: Obama looked like a college professor, while McCain looked like a desperate defense attorney pleading to a jury.. from Bath, Maine by Donna

Comment: Definitely McCain! from Windham by Kim

Comment: mccains answer to toms question for a yes or no answer was maybe and Obamas answer was over 60 seconds the 2 of them still don't get it yes or no it is so simple a first could answer. from naples by bill

Comment: one should put aside what party we belong to and and ask ourselves do we agree on the way things are going in our goverment.if one agrees vote to keep doing it the way we have in the past.if we don,t agree vote to chane it. from Bath,Me by David

Comment: I can understand why some people claim to be independent,instead of politics as usual, it would be nicer to avoid the attacks and concentrate on positive things we probably won't see in this race for the white house from so portland me by steve

Comment: I thought McCain was condescending to the audience by saying My Friends so may times. from Chebeague Island by Lesley

Comment: McCain's experience a shining star. Obama never said how he would accomplish anything. When asked about the fine on health care imposed Obama would not answer. from Freeport by Kathryn

Comment: It seem while they both where going back and forth blaming each other. McCain had more clear and direit answers. And in one ? Obama said his plan was to cut the spending. And in the next ? stated that he has plan that includes browing big sums of MONEY over the next ten years.Seems to me that he is only saying what we want him to say. from Portland by Jen

Comment: I don't think that Obama has enough experience over seas to be president. from orr's island maine by robert

Comment: Senator mcCain is a bitter man. He and Governor Palin are from the Karl Rove school of nastiness in politics with the devious use of Senator OBama's middle name which they hope will send fear into the American electorate's heart and mind. It won't work and neither will disrespectful references such as "that one" that Senator McCain used in the debate last night when referring to Senator Obama's voting record. Thank goodness McCain stopped using that tired old "I am the Maverick" line. Perhaps at one time he stood for something but he has sold out to the right wing of the Republican party and it showed last night. Senator Obama will make a very good president with the very real possibility of becoming a great President of the United States. These are trying times for our country and we need new, fresh, and creative ideas and Senator Obama has them. Greg Readfield from Readfield, Maine by Greg

Comment: Why is wgme using the liberal crew from WGAN and clips from the left wing late night talk shows as part of the morning "news"? This isn't news - in fact, it's quite old news to most of us that the major networks lean so far left that they're in danger of falling off the planet. Neither of these candidates will solve all of our problems. This election isn't about who is going to do the most good for our country - it's about who is going to do the least damage. Obama will tax us all to death - don't believe what he is spoon feeding us now about only taxing "the rich". Check it out - there are not enough rich people to pay for all his proposed programs. We will all get hit from him with more taxes. He will also give us socialized medicine. If you think the health care system is lousy now, wait until we have universal health care --- the quality of medical care will go downhill as it has in other countries. McCain is a realist, both in foreign and domestic policy. He will do more for all of us, not just "some" of the people - he has a good head on his shoulders. The media has turned this into a personality contest. They're afraid to say a bad thing about Obama for fear of being called racist. It's ridiculous. The man is an empty suit. He has a secretive past which the media would try to expose if he were a Republican.But they're not even questioning it. He has a wife who hates America and a racist preacher of 20 years ( but he didn't know anything about that of course). He offers you some charisma - we'll see how far that gets us if he gets elected. from Scarborough, Maine by Karen

Comment: Obama hands down! Obama has a plan! It helps the middle class!! from Waterville ME by Judy

Comment: Obama focused on the questions and he also gave the American people detail of how he would approach problems with this country and overseas. Talking and negoicating might help. But attacking without try to communicate is wrong, and that is what McCain is going to do. We don't need that from buxton by m

Comment: He at least tries to answer the questions from Falmouth, ME by Eric

Comment: Obama, like last debate, has a plan, with specific strategies. McCain is too much "fluff" talk...."we'll get through this because we are Americans, etc...." Enough, tell us what you will DO to solve this...spirit is nice, but it's not a plan to aid the economy. Obama won this debate and gets my vote. from Waterville by Gerard

Comment: Neither, I think this election year should be a write in vote. Clinton or Nader is looking better every day. This country needs someone that can really state what they are going to do about the war, economy, Social Security and all the other important issues and stick by their words. I don't believe either McCain or Obama when they talk. from Windham by C

Comment: I think McCain is more in tune with the American people;he understands their plight. Obama is a good speaker but lacks common sense and understanding from Old Orchard/Maine by Barbara

Comment: Mccain all the way. All Obama talked about was taxes, there are so many other subjects that needs to be addressed. Everytime a question was asked Obama kept answering the same way......At least McCain answered what was asked. yes he bashed Obama, but it was well deserved. by Debby

Comment: All Obama had to do was show up. from portland by Cole

Comment: mccain seemed lost from wilton/me by tim

Comment: Obama is my choice from corinna, ME by alice

Comment: abama all the way from wiscasset by Lisa

Comment: Obama gave detailed answers to questions! McCain referred to Obama as "that one" , not a presidential way to address an opponent, shows his anger is not under control. from bath,me by judy

Comment: By all standards, McCain has the best in mind for the people, nation and for the better of America, especially our future children that will soon be adults. by Lois

Comment: I thought that McCain talked "down" to the audience, using platitudes instead of straight talk, suggesting that one questioner probably had never heard of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and telling the audience that there were many countries they probably had never heard of. He was faltering and shaky in his demeanor, in contrast to Obama's sure footed fielding of the questions. from Harpswell, Me by Sarah