The Debate: Inside the Town Hall

For starters, Tom Brokaw gave me -- the viewer at home -- the OK to yell back at the TV, which is not a luxury given to the audience at Belmont University so right there I'm happy with how we're starting.

I'm not sure how McCain thinks energy independence is going to fix the retirement funds for veterans...

I don't know if McCain knows the question that was just asked of him.

Kudos to McCain, however, who keeps addressing "Alan" -- the man who asked the first question -- by his first name. Keeps it personal. 

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Next question from Oliver: Through the bailout package, what is this package going to do to help these people out?

McCain: It's not a bailout, it's a rescue. Stabilize the markets but it's not going to be enough. Will need to enter the housing market and buy out these loans. Fannie and Freddie were the catalyst to this issue...

Obama: The biggest problem was the deregulation of the financial system. It's going to be important to work with homeowners to make sure they can stay in their home...

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Brokaw asked, "Do you think the economy is going to get worse before it gets better?"

Great question. Both senators said the economy will rebound. What do you think?