LAS VEGAS -- Valley residents who watched Tuesday night’s presidential debate saw candidates John McCain and Barack Obama butt heads on many key issues.

With Obama leading in the polls, McCain looked to make a statement, but did it work?

"It swung me -- McCain. I'm independent. I'm not registered with either party,” said Mark Medcalf.

He said he liked what he heard out of the senator from Arizona as he watched from inside Barley's Casino and Brewing Company.

"I liked health care … small businesses -- the protection for small businesses, instead of fining small businesses for not providing healthcare to give them assistance," another patron said.

"I felt Barack Obama came out with more specific ideas on what he was going to do,” said a local resident.

Then you have the other side, but in this case it’s a married couple, Tom and Chris Wilson. Chris is a Democrat, and Tom is a Republican.

"I have a preference for McCain, but I don't know if either is giving a better pitch," Chris Wilson said.

Many patrons said they were looking forward the next, and final, debate.

The last debate will be Oct. 15 at Hofstra University in New York. Watch it on FOX5.