John McCain refers to his notes as Barack Obama takes his turn speaking during the second presidential debate, held at Belmont University in Nashville. (Matthew Cavanaugh / EPA)
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)
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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)
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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)