Debate live blogging: Slainte bar in Portland

PORTLAND -- The first Tuesday of every month, a small group of Democrats gathers at Slainte bar in Portland for wine and political discussion. They call the event “drinking liberally.”

Tonight, their meeting fell on the same day as the second presidential debate. PolitickerME.com is here, and will be live blogging their responses.

For the third debate, we plan to meet up with conservatives, so if you know of a good gathering please let us know.

Members are saying this is their biggest turnout so far.

As the debate was starting, the two topics dominating conversation are: “What’s better, CNN or C-SPAN” and “What are Barack Obama and John McCain doing in the few minutes before the debate.”

9:10 p.m. -- Some economic questions. As expected, the "drinking liberally" group is skeptical of McCain, and is accusing him of causing the problems. Things were quieter during Obama's responses, and agreement that Warren Buffet would make a good treasury secretary.

9:23 p.m. -- The biggest reaction to McCain's remarks on earmarks was: "What about the bridge to nowhere?"

9:29 p.m. -- The Drinking Liberally group does not like the idea of a federal budget spending freeze.

9:33 p.m. -- Barack Obama mentioned expanding the peace corps and volunteer services. People cheered.

9:48 p.m. Had to recharge, so missed a few. Obama had two zingers -- "The Straight Talk Express has lost a wheel" and "Congress has done nothing for 30 years, and (McCain's) been there for 26 of them" -- that drew some cheers.

The energy question, in general, riled the Drinking Liberally group. They do not like the idea of nuclear power.

9:54 p.m. -- McCain mentioned that people should be allowed to by health care across lines, like they do with a number of other things. The group immediatly likened his plan to how a number of Mainers buy their alcohol and cigarettes in New Hampshire.

9:56 p.m. -- Obama said health care should be a right for all Americans. Loud cheers.

10:02 p.m. -- McCain said “We don’t have time for on the job training.” He was quickly accused by this group by using a “George Bush line.” Overall, the group has been uncharacteristically quiet during the first foreign policy question.

10:11 pm -- McCain just said his hero is Teddy Roosevelt. This caused a flurry of comment, mostly: "What happened to Reagan?"

10:20 pm. -- Jokes abound about McCain's comments about Russia and Putin.  Quiet during Obama's response.