Preliminary poll results from major news sources indicate that voters thought Barack Obama was the decided winner of Friday night’s presidential debate, whereas political commentators have indicated this debate was more of a tie than a decided win, noting that neither side was able to come out of the event having scored a home run.

Regardless of what commentators or partisans thought, for those still uncertain how they will vote in November the highlight of this debate was the character differences between the two candidates. From McCain, voters saw a seasoned candidate who has been around the block and can bring experience and first-hand knowledge to the White House. Barack Obama on the other hand showed a strong presidential presence, and proved that even in foreign affairs, he could hold his own against McCain.

Each candidate also faced criticisms on their performance. For Obama, voters felt he may have come across as too diplomatic, stating on several occasions “I agree with Senator McCain”. Voters also felt some of his responses lacked substance though he appeared knowledgeable about the subject matter. McCain’s performance, however, lacked heart, according to many. His facial expressions, stance, and his obvious unwillingness to look Obama in the eye during the debate gave voters the impression that he was aloof and uncaring and perhaps intimidated by his opponent.

Even though many polls show Obama with a clear victory in this debate, the race is far from over. The presidential candidates have two more debates before the November election.  Most voters will now be looking for both candidates to more clearly define how they would help this country out of its current financial mess if elected. No matter how you look at it, this race is still a tossup and could go both ways.

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So Street Beaters, What are YOUR thoughts on the debate?