Presidential debate

Hanna Rutherford keeps her eye on her pool game as the presidential debate plays out at the Hollywood Billiards Sports Bar & Grill in Hollywood.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Members of 24 Hour Fitness in Irvine take in the presidential debate as they work out.  (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)

At the Grande Coin Laundry in San Pedro, Saudia Lewis finishes her laundry as the debate between John McCain and Barack Obama plays on a TV in the background.  (Robert Lachman / Los Angeles Times)

Zachery X. LeSure cuts Gary Carlson’s hair at Cutz and Opinions Barber Salon in Long Beach as they listen to Barack Obama and John McCain in the debate.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Aaron Pressburg, left, and Matt Shafer watch the debate between Barack Obama and John McCain from Gallagher’s in Long Beach, CA. Pressburg and Shafer were playing a game where each time a candidate said “change,” “American people,” “economy” or “my friends”, they took a drink. In 30 minutes the pair drank 2 1/2 pitchers of beer.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Republican John McCain sought to distance himself from President Bush when asked about the environment: “I have disagreed strongly with the Bush administration on this issue,” he said, adding that he is one who has called for a more aggressive government policy on global warming.  (Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images)

Democrat Barack Obama, when asked by moderator Tom Brokaw which issue he would deal with first -- healthcare, the cost of entitlement programs or energy -- said energy is most important.  (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, talks before the debate.  (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

Democrat Barack Obama at Belmont University in Nashville before the second presidential debate.  (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

Republican presidential candidate John McCain arrives for a walk-through of the debate site in advance of the presidential debate with Democrat rival Barack Obama at Belmont University in Nashville. .  (Charles Dharapak / Associated Press)