Local residents have differing views about the recent presidential debate between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama.

According to Reuters, the debate on Sept. 26 drew 52.4 million viewers and lasted for 90 minutes.

“I don’t know that there was a clear-cut choice,” said Roy Pittman, an agronomist who works at the University of Georgia-Griffin campus.

He said neither candidate made any big mistakes. However, he said Obama did not do well in answering some of the questions.

Tomeka Gilmore, co-owner of Tomeka Upscale Salon and a hairstylist there, said she liked some of Obama’s points.

“I like Obama, the way he was saying you shouldn’t have to fight with your insurance company on your deathbed,” she said.

“To be honest, I found it kind of boring in a way,” said Julie Cook, a sales associate at the North Expressway Hallmark store.

She said both candidates agreed with each other most of the time and disagreed only on small issues.

James Johnston, a poll worker, watched the debate off and on.

“I thought Mr. McCain did a better job,” he said. “I thought he was more knowledgeable, and, from what I saw, Obama tried to correct McCain several times.”

He said that, as far as he is concerned, Obama’s attempts at correction failed.

“I think it was fine,” said Helen Phillips Bailey, a retired nurse from Spalding Regional Medical Center. “I was informed by watching it.”

She said she believes Obama did a fine job.

“It was nerve-wracking,” said Georgia Champion. “It seemed somewhat evenly balanced, although I didn’t like it that McCain was sort of contemptuous of Obama and I didn’t care for the fact that he didn’t make eye contact.”