Denver_Josh : What troubles me the most is McCain not addressing any of the claims made by other members of the legislature this morning claiming McCain did more to rally opposition and conflict in the past 36 hours. We know a process was in motion before McCain announced he might hide from Jim tonight, and we know a process is still in motion this afternoon. McCain�s only role yesterday was antagonizing members of the House who were straddling the fence in order to make them more solidly apposed to any existing compromise. Having a man who seeks armed conflict, has no respect for a three-branched federal system, and bases his campaign strategy on the fact that a certain percentage of the U.S. population has been denied a level of education sufficient to understand the retreat in democratic processes seen under Bush/Cheney is truly frightening.

iowellen : Please, PLEASE ask McCain why he will not release his recent medical records showing his latest stage of melanoma. This information MUST be made public before the election, especially in light of his chosen running mate's complete lack of inexperience

Anne : It's ironic that John McCain would accuse ANYONE else of political posturing. His pretense of suspending his campaign in the name of putting country first is a joke, especially in light of the fact that he picked an imminently unqualified woman to be his VP pick.

RK : Obama asked McCain to issue a joint statement on the current economic crisis. As the crisis and it's proposed solutions were being debated in Washington DC, McCain asked Obama how about we postpone this debate and contribute to the debate in Washington. I think what McCain did was a a good thing. It is unfortunate that Obama has decided not to accept McCain's invitation, and it hurts me to see the media go after McCain. McCain was clearly set up by Obama in this instance, by Obama's invitation to issue a joint statement.

Grace : If the News Hour were to remind us of all the brave souls that have given up their lives over these past 5 years since our present leadership sent us to war in Iraq by listing them again, with respect, in silence. At the same time, a list showing the growth of the national debt over the same period, I think there would be no need for debate between candidates about the economy, foreign policy or anything else.

Wayne F. Deering : Subject: Questions for the Candidates Who will be the Advisors to each Candidate ? And With regards to the Presidents Cabinet consisting of those who are the advisors to the President, have You presently picked them, and is the Cabiinet going to contain any of Your present campaign advisors who may be some of the paid for lobbyists who also may be some of Your Campaign contributors ! 1A. When and if You take office, who will be your selections for your Presidential Cabinet and Why ? 1B. If you are turned down by these selected people, who will be your next selections and Why ? 1C. What would be your next course of action ?. 2A. If you are elected, what are - or - name your promises to the American people ! 2B. Will you promise to fullfill those promises within one year ? What makes you think you can, or not, and why not ? 2B. If you fail to fullfill those promises, will you Resign as Commander-in-Chief ? If not, Why not ! ?? 3A. How will you deal with the Senate and The House of Representatives ? 3B. How will you deal with those Lobbyists ?

Marian Jamieson : Please question Senator McCain about his unwillingness to release his medical records. I understand that a coalition of physicians, including Democrats, Republicans and independents, have signed a petition asking that his records be made public. Apparently, another melanoma site was removed in February. Consensus among specialists is that he suffers from the most deadly form of melanoma. Voters need to be informed.

Zorro : Would someone please ask McCain and Palin HOW it is possible to avoid a conflict of interest, much less, "fight lobbyists and special interests" when the VP candidate's family, her husband, brother, others(?) are under employment to the oil industry, having their own family's livelihood dependent on this special interest.

Zorro : Ask McCain and Palin HOW it is possible to avoid a conflict of interest, much less, "fight lobbyists and special interests" when the VP candidate's family, her husband, brother, others(?) are under employment to the oil industry, having their own family's livelihood dependent on this special interest.

Don L Cape Coral FL : Please Ask Sen McCain: Sen McCain if you are elected President and there is a crisis for this country such as a military threat. Where would you go? To an aircraft carrier to jump into a plan and fly off into battle? Or, to the Capital to meet lead the strategy and response to the situation.

tgram : You notice how the McCain campaign talks about bipartisan efforts and helping to get the bailout package passed while putting aside blame. Well, just read the story above and draw your own conclusions about McCain's integrity. His campaign does not waste any time falsely attacking Obama on "political posturing". McCain didn't suspend his campaign, didn't take down his ads, didn't stop his advisors from attacking Obama, and he didn't really help much in Washington. McCain says that he is proud of his campaign, but I am very disappointed with McCain and the campaign he is running. So, on with the debates now and let the voters decide which candidate is the most suited for POTUS.

Chandra B Waldo Florida : I want you to ask McCain to release his medical records to medical professionals to look at. And also, how does his irrational behavior imply good leadership skills? Picking S Palin was irrational. Running to Washington to fix something that he has admitted having NO experience with was irrational. Lying about suspending his campaign was irrational. How can we trust him with the FATE OF THE NATION???

abortionismurder : The media only goes after McCain, never Obama, when there is much more Obama lacks than McCain.

SSB : Please ask McCain if he believes the Iraq War is a task from God and if he will push his and Palin's religious beliefs on the rest of the country.

Addie : McCain Prematurely Declares Himself Winner in Wall Street Journal Ad Not only will he attend, he's already declared himself the winner! See a premature Wall Street Journal Ad announcing his victory here: http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/09/26/mccain-to-attend-debate-web-ad-claims-victory-already/

JAKEX3 : Why doesn't the government of the people, for the people, and by the people work?

bobbie : I hope that tonight there is a completely fair debate and conversation. I hope that we can clearly see the very real differences between these two. May the truth come out so clearly that if there is problems they are made by themselves.

kay : I find it disturbing that an ad on the Wall Street Journal's net edition claimed John McCain won the debate hands down before the debate even took place. What kind of carnival are they running?

Mag007 : Please ask Obama why he thinks terrorists taken off the battle field should be afforded U.S Citizen Constitutional protections? The Supremes were wrong on this one! Why should we believe that his Supreme Court nominees would protect the @nd Ammendment as an "Individual Right to keep and Bear Arms. Had Kerry won in 2004 we would not have had Alito or Robert , But another Ginsburgh from the left. MY @nd Ammendment would have been taken away were it not for 1 VOTE!!!! Unbelievable In A Republic such as ours, not a DEMOCRACY!!!

mag007 : Since alot of people were given home loans that couldn't pay for them . Because Barney Franks pushed for the legislation to make banks lesson the requirements on those loans in the 90'S, What does Obama think about Bill Clinton saying " The REPUBLICANS" Were trying to put stricter over sight on the banking and finance industries in 1995 along with himself, But The Democrats were blocking every thing along the way" YESTERDAY!!!

mike, virginia : My question for both candidates: Instead of a $750B+ bailout, should the Government just give every taxpayer $1M and let each taxpayer pay-off their loans and spend the rest to stimulate teh economy?

Rebecca Hoppe : Media bias has been proven in spades tonight!It is now 25 minutes into the Presidential Debate which was billed as focusing on "foreign policy". There has not been one word about foreign policy. Jim Lehrer is guilty of fraud, false advertising and gross misrepresentation! This is a blatently manipulated debate. Shame on Jim Leher!

Foreign policy : It's 8:30 central. 30 minutes into the "foreign policy" debate. This is a fraud. This is supposed to be on foreign policy, a McCain strength and an Obama weakness. On economics night, will they talk foreign policy? Of course not. THIS IS FOREIGN POLICY NIGHT Jim Lehrer! FRAUD!

Rebecca Hoppe : It is now 35 minutes into a debate which was billed as addressing foreign policy. We have fresh terroristic threats against our county by foreign agents. Foreign policy is a critically important topic and the people of this county deserve to hear the positions of the two individuals running for the office of Presiden. Jim Leher has deliberately hijacked the debate and is denying the right of the American people to hear the two candidates speak in a national forum about foreign policy. Shame on Jim Leher!

Jose : Ok.. was watching the 'after debate' remarks.. Tell me.. who was responsible for dressing Scott Horsly tonight? C'mon guys, throw me a bone.

S. Davis : The debates made me quite uneasy at some points. The constant interruptions by one candidate upon the other's allotted 2 minutes made it difficult to recognise what the answer was to the question on point. Mccain obviously has greater experience simply because he's older, but his very demeanor concerns me. He laughs and giggles it seems when he doesn't know what to say. But he smiles when he's obviously angry. I don't trust that in a person. I think that Obama hit the nail on the head in both domestic and foreign policy issues, in that he recognised full-well the collapsing economy and that the next administration needs to address the troubles at home, such as healthcare costs skyrocketing and education nationwide being made a priority over special interest group needs. And yet he then addressed the greatest issue, I believe, in a change in our foreign policy...not tactical warfare strategy, or even specifically where our country should put its efforts now or in the next war, if there is to be one...but simply to promise that as president, he would work to restore the WORLD's faith in the United States as a nation of peace, hope and prosperity. THAT, to me, is the greatest reason the country is in such a mess. WE should, as a nation, never have thought we could do it alone. We've found that we can't. Now, it's time to acknowlege that arrogance. I think Obama provides the message of humility needed to reaffirm the world's respect in this country.

Susan Collins : 1. Why is no one concerned that the invasion on Iraq was illegal. PERIOD. America was not invaded by Iraq. PERIOD. Why is the legality never mentioned? 2. When McCain says the deaths of our American soldiers would be in vain if we did not leave as winners of this war, is he saying all the soldiers who died in Vietnam died for nothing?

ConcernedVoter : I AGREE ABOUT ASKING MC CAIN ABOUT RELEASING HIS MEDICAL RECORDS!! It is a must that voters know his physical condition,I believe Barack already released his.

ConcernedVoter : Dear Mr.Lehrer, When you ask McCain a question in the upcoming debates, PLEASE make him answer the question.The first words out of his mouth are,"Well,Senator Obama...." His idea of an answer is an attack on Obama,PLEASE don't let him get away with that again.Thank you.

Jane : BO is constantly complaining about McCain and his relationship to Pres. Bush. I wish McCain would step up to the plate and ask BO about his relationships with Ayers, Wright and Resko. No other news organization, including PBS, has ever asked him about his buddies and all the corrupt money they raised for themselves.

TennMom : McCain's suggestion that the debate be postponed was pure political theater. The candidates' campaigns have entered into contracts with the Commission on Presidential Debates and McCain knew, though most Americans did not, that he was legally bound to participate in the debate. McCain's knee-jerk reaction to the financial crisis that a mere two weeks ago he did not acknowledge was more of the same. When he is trailing in the polls, when he doesn't feel he is getting enough press coverage, he comes up with a pseudo-drama and casts himself in the role of the sacrificing leader who puts his country above his politics. He did it with his party's convention, delaying the start by a single day while feigning concern over the impending hurricane. In reality, the hurricane hit and people suffered (and are suffering still) while the GOP was convening, and nary a mention of those affected was uttered beyond that first day of fundraising pleas. Perhaps if in 2005, McCain (not then a presidential candidate) had expressed any concern when New Orleans was drowning, instead of celebrating his birthday in Denver with our current president, I might not doubt his sincerity. Maybe I'd respect his "leadership" if he truly had suspended his campaign to devote time to the financial crisis. He did not. He may have gone to DC to put in his two-cents worth, but his campaign went on. He gave interviews. Palin gave speeches. His attack ads continued to run. Apparently, Senator McCain "does not understand" the meaning of the word "suspension." Last night, McCain attempted to inject another bit of theater when pressed for an answer as to which of his proposals might have to be delayed while the country attempts to right its economy. He declared he would freeze all spending, except for defense. No matter that such action would further imperil the economy. No matter that such an action is impractical, implausible and would make it impossible for our country to function. That statement was knee-jerk theatrics at its best, and just like McCain's other emotive and nonsensical ploys, it is an indication that he lacks the judgement and temperament to be POTUS. The bottom line is neither McCain nor Obama serves on the Financial Services Committee. Neither is the official leader of their respective party. McCain, in particular, claims no expertise in economic matters. Therefore, it serves no purpose for either of them to inject themselves into the economic negotiations, unless it is to call for unity instead of division, to suggest compromise instead of to assign blame. When an agreement is reached, both candidates should return to D.C. to cast a vote. In the meantime, Obama and McCain should concentrate on the task at hand. If McCain is truly dedicated to his quest to be president, he must demonstrate that he can lead without allowing a single hot button issue to draw his attention away from the big picture. As an addendum of sorts, I wonder why the transcripts of last night's debate have been cleaned up so as not to accurately reflect Senator McCain's "horseshit, horseshit" remark when Obama called into question McCain's rather confused comments concerning Spain. I have come to expect that the MSM will give McCain a pass, but I expect PBS to deliver the unvarnished truth.

pamela Harris : watching the debate I had a thought - something that I never see highlighted: I think that john McCain equates "foreign policy" with military policy and always seems to get away with it. In fact, they are not the same. McCain's tendency to do that illustrates his world view and illuminates how he would govern. Somebody should call him on that.