McCain vs Obama

An unpopular war in Iraq and a $700 billion bailout provided plenty of firepower in the final month before election day.

Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain had the full attention of some Limestone College students Tuesday for their second presidential debate.

Professors Jonathan Sarnoff and Carol Taylor brought their U.S. History and political science students together to watch the candidates square off in a town hall format.

Voters had a rare chance to ask the presidential candidates questions in person and online during the debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. The candidates spent much of their time discussing the economy, the war on terrorism, alternative energy sources and health care reform.

Limestone College student Miranda Dornis said she was disappointed with the quality of the questions voters asked Obama and McCain. She found the debate between vice presidential candidates Sarah Palin and Joe Biden far more informative.

"I really didn't think the questions asked by voters really got to the heart of the problems," Dornis said. "A lot of the time the candidates skirted the issues and didn't really go into any specifics. I thought the vice presidential debate was much better because the candidates spoke more about the issues."

Campaign rhetoric between Obama and McCain has taken on a more personal note as the presidential race heads into its final stages. The candidates will hold their third and final debate Oct. 15 at Hofstra University in Hempsted, N.Y.

After watching Tuesday's debate, Limestone College students interviewed by The Gaffney Ledger were unconvinced the event would be a game changer in the presidential race.

"The debate is for undecided voters," Limestone College student Matthew Hardman said. "People who are undecided vote on character issues. This is why the candidates spend so much time attacking each other."