Wow...I remember now what debate used to look like.  Two men with differeing opinions standing toe to toe with each other without personal attacks, and/or condesending or condemning comments.  I thought the format was wonderful, and the moderater did not ask "trap questions" or inject himself between the debators.

My take...

I would call it a draw on substance.  I have to comment though that Sen McCain came into the debate with experience on foriegn policy, much like Mike Tyson comes into a boxing ring with experience as a boxer.  I liken Obama in this case as the underdog, and my expectation was that he would fair worse than he did in the foriegn policy topic.  His standing toe to toe, giving no ground, taking and giving punches to McCain is a plus for him, and the result is that on this issue, they are equally knowegable anf equally capable of handling any world situation in thier own way.  You pick the winner on substance based on how you see things needing to be handled, and who is best equipped to handle it the way you see it.  So, since I (personally) think we need to do something else in the way of foriegn policy besides what we have been doing, and I would rather have his type of personality on my side of the table of an impending military confrontation.

On economic issues...I was expecting Obama to dominate McCain with his (McCain's) own words...but he didn't.  As I think about it now, being slightly disappointed that there was less of a flurry of punches from Obama, he went at the issue the right way.  I think about the words Obama uses to describe the situation as opposed to McCain's, and Obama cleary chose words to relate to me...my family, my children, my house, my finances, my street...etc.  McCain talked in terms of government policy, laws and institutions.  Americans understand that it is government policy, laws and institutions that are alot of the problem we face in this economic time.  McCain talked to me as if I went to the doctor, paid big bucks, had alot of tests, and the doctor told me in a fancy way with a word I can't spell or pronounce what was wrong with me, offering no cures, and no reassurences.  Obama talked to me as if I was an adult,  being frank and honest, in a way I understand without insulting my intelligence,  what is wrong, and though he offered no cures, he offered reassurences and that we would keep working on the problem until we (key word here...WE) fix it.  I give this a draw because I expected Obama to pounce.

On style...

Clearly Obama saw this as a conversation, while McCain saw this as a political stomp speech with an annoying heckler in the podium next to him.  Obama acknowledged McCain...using his name, or "you" several times during the debate, while McCain did not seem to acknowledge Obama, not even looking at him while addressing comments, instead, looking at the moderator.  Obama seemed more natural, suing his hands more.  He also seemed more comfortable in this forum than McCain...and after the exchange about the bracelets, McCain seemed to have more of an angry tone about his voice.  I hear some saying that Obama "agreed" with Sen McCain alot, but to me it means he was listening, looking for a common ground, and did not see McCain as an enemy, but as a person who has a differeing view.  This is a wonderful skill that not everyone has. Unfortuantly, in this society, this skill is concidered a weakness. 

All in all, seeing that Obama was the underdog, especially in the realm of forigen policy, seeing the demenaer, the style and the clearity of each of the cnadidate's responses, I am going to say that how you call the winner is how you relate in general to everything and every situation.  If you like the cowboy...manly...no holes barred..."maverick" style, then you liked McCain.  If you like the thoughtful, metered, targeted responces, then you like Obama.  I see no clear winner here, I do see that Obama is just as qualified as McCain on the issues addressed here though.

I would ask the question like this...in a moment of crisis in which quick decisions needed to be made, which of the candidates would you want to make them on your behalf?

Tell me how you see it.