Debate Wrap

Barack Obama and John McCain maneuvered cautiously in their first presidential debate Friday evening.Both declared that fixing our nation’s financial mess is critical, but neither would commit to the bailout plan being debated in Washington. The candidates agreed that the financial crisis is something Democrats and Republicans will have to work together to solve.Their sharp differences, however, were highlighted in responses to questions on Iraq and Afghanistan.McCain praised the success of the recent surge, while Obama questioned the decision to launch a war with Iraq and the way the conflict was managed during the first several years, and at a great cost to efforts in Afghanistan.The candidates will be back in washington over the weekend to work on the bailout negotiations.