The second debate had the opportunity to be a game changer for either candidate. However, it just didn't have the feel either side was hoping for, although presumably the Obama camp is happy that nothing major happened.

Obama continued to attack George Bush, and then throw John McCain's name in the mix. Obama also made the mistake of using the phrase "Senator McCain is right" although I only heard it once during the night, and that was during the question of who will replace Henry Paulson.

In a somewhat surprising sense, it was Obama who invoked 9/11 during his answer regarding sacrifices, not McCain. I also didn't hear McCain speak about being tortured in Vietnam, which was a nice change. Obama also claimed that he would cut more than his spending would add. I'm waiting to see any economist who agrees with that notion. The only chance Obama has of paying for his promises are to increase taxes.

Both McCain and Obama went over the time limit, although Obama did so more frequently and was called out on it by Tom Brokaw. At times, he sounded like a child, when after being called out by Brokaw, pouted that he was only trying to keep up with McCain. On the other hand, McCain scored major points here for showing some sarcasm during the question regarding Congress reforming Social Security and Medicare and saying that he'll answer the question, after Obama completely avoided.

One of the major differences to be highlighted tonight was on the topic of health care - was it a privilege, right or responsibility. McCain claimed that it was a responsibility, whereas Obama feels it is a right. I'm closer to McCain on this issue, but how the American public responds is all that matters.

Barack Obama made an error during one point, although his sarcasm was witty. He set himself up for a sound byte taken out of context when he said "It's true I don't understand" and then went on to say it was he didn't understand how we could invade a country not responsible for 9/11. His foreign policy inexperience was highlighted when discussing how we should try to help countries and prevent genocides in situations like the Holocaust and Rwanda. However, when highlighting genocide, he seemed completely oblivious to the point that genocide was exactly what Saddam Hussein had accomplished in Iraq when he used gas on the Kurds.

Finally, and perhaps the biggest gaffe by Obama that can be used in a television commercial, when discussing McCain's healthcare plan for allowing state choice, he said that companies would all go to one state that benefits the insurance companies, similar to how the banks all set up in Delaware because of the loopholes. You know, Delaware, the state where his running mate is from and has been a Senator in for over thirty years. Ouch.

Overall, as I said, neither candidate won big here. McCain did better, but he needed to be nearly flawless and hope Obama made some obvious gaffes. This didn't happen, so McCain, while the winner of the debate, is still the loser so far.

Full audio to come shortly...Also, the comments system bug should be fixed.

Update: Audio is here...