Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s wife and potential first lady, Cindy McCain, is at the National Constitution Center today for a small rally of a couple hundred.

While Philadelphia overwhelmingly votes Democratic, the Republican is hoping to dull Obama support within the city to have enough votes with rural Pennsylvania to carry the state. According to Peter Feldman, a McCain spokesman, the state is “critical” for the campaign to win the White House.

However, nearly every recent poll conducted in the state has shown McCain consistently running nearly 10 points behind his Democratic rival.

McCain and Obama shake hands as the final presidential debate comes to a close (AP)

So, what did everyone think about tonight’s debate?

Did McCain score the comeback necessary to revive his campaign?
Did Obama have any fundamental missteps?

Who’s got the momentum coming out of the debate? And why?

McCain touts his status as a reformer and a careful steward of tax dollars. He poses the vote as a question of who voters can trust with tax dollars, and as a humble servant of the nation.

Obama ends with economic disaster, and says the biggest risk is to adopt same policies that brought on disaster. He says we must invest in American people again. Also stresses service and sacrifice as necessity to address crises.

Good night and good luck, folks.

Obama links to national security issue, and says that there must be more investment and more oversight. He points to early childhood education and rewards systems for teachers. He also pushes college loans, with his community service program which would provide $4000 for 100 hours of service.

McCain sees it as a choice and competition issue, and as a civil rights issue. He wants to reward teachers who do well, and find bad teachers a “new line of work”. He also stresses that the schools with most funding are often some of worst performing. And wants to adjust student loan eligibility.

Obama claims that money left behind for no child left behind under Bush. He says he doubled number of charter schools in Illinois, a claim no doubt waiting to be disproved.

“America’s youth isn’t an interest group, its our future,” Obama says on mccains plan not to do more for college students.

McCain stresses spending issues, especially in DC public schools where most funding exists. He says there must be reform and that he won’t throw money at problem, and wants vouchers.

Obama agrees that DC is messed up, but that vouchers not way to go.

McCain says there should be no litmia test, stressing that he voted for 2 liberal judges.
Obama stresses the he believes Roe v. Wade was rightly decided and that links to constitutional rights. Obama also pushes overall on women’s issues, including fair pay.

“Court has to stand up if no one else will,” he says.

McCain presses on obamas vote for abortion issues, including some controversial votes for partial birth abortions. Claims they’re clear cut issues, which Obama voted present on.

Obama hits back by saying that the allegations are untrue, and that he voted so because exeption did not exist for health of mother. Looks for common ground, and wants to provide youth with education and protection to reduce abortions.

McCain promotes adoption and says “health” excuses are ridiculous and over stretched.

Obama goes into his universal health care initiative, which he says will not exclude pre-existing condition patients and wll reduce costs.

McCain attacks Obama’s plan for penalizing small business owners who don’t get health care. Obama refutes by saying 50 percent credit will be given to small business owners for providing for employees, and small businesses will be exempt from penalties.

McCain attacks by continuing to address “Joe the Plumber” who is starting his own business. He says he will give people the ability to choose coverage instead of Obama who will “let government choose”. We can’t afford that, he says.

Obama refutes by saying that he just wants to lower costs, invoking the Chamber of Commerce.

The candidates take on energy with McCain claiming the US can get away from hostile foreign oil in 8-10 years.

Obama repudiates drilling out of problem, and says critical to develop new technologies.

McCain goes back to drill now. He attacks Obama for “looking at offshore drilling” instead of drilling now to reduce energy costs. (note that it would take as long as 8 years to start getting oil from offshore wells, experts agree.)

Obama goes into foreign trade agreements which he says are unfair and lack environmental protections. He also says foreign makers should be required to increase fuel efficiency in their cars.

McCain says Obama will restrict trade and raise taxes, similar to Herbert Hoover.

“McCain should just say ‘pass’,” says one Republican in the room. Clearly the Palin pick didn’t play to this college base.

But McCain isn’t afraid to tout Palin as a reformer, and someone who will work well in his government.

Obama touted Biden as a foreign policy expert and someone in tune with his roots, as McCain attacks him as occasionally “boneheaded”.

Obama is spending some time repudiating Bill Ayers and ACORN. He lays out the basic story and dismisses McCain’s statements.

Race rears its head as congressman John Lewis’s comments come up which attacked McCain and Palin for not repudiating some rally members who yelled “kill him.”

McCain repudiates Obama saying that his supporters are the most patriotic Americans.