Friday's debate, contrary to most ireporters, was to me one of the best presidential debates in recent memory. What before was a series of talking points strung together and spewed into a microphone, this time was an engaging back and forth between two very competent candidates.

I believe that Sen. Obama performed better during the economic portion, though I don't necessarily believe what he said is the right recipe for the market. And though Sen. McCain did okay, he seemed nervous and his ideas too were lacking. At times I couldn't tell there was a Republican even on the stage.

When it came to matters of foreign policy, however, Sen McCain was on offense. His comments routinely needled a visibly frustrated Obama. And Obama did himself no favor by constantly agreeing with McCain, thus validating his ideas, preceptively at least.

In this first round of debates, to me it was a battle of equals. And because foreign policy is McCain's domain, and because he gave a better than par performance, I give John McCain the victory.