NBC's David Gregory proved a capable moderator of Thursday's U.S. Senate debate in McLean between former Virginia Govs. George Allen and Tim Kaine.

Gregory countered pivot after pivot, trying to force candidates to answer questions about controversial issues like Mitt Romney's "47 percent" comment or if Kaine was as supportive of gay marriage as President Barack Obama.

As expected, billions of dollars in looming defense cuts played a major role in the conversation.

"Sequestration deserves more than just platitudes," Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran told Patch. "I'm sure George Allen wants the problem to go away, but this problem demands specifics and leadership. And George Allen failed to provide that."

And, as expected, Democrats believe Kaine won and Republicans think Allen did.

"We heard two things today," said Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity, a Republican who represents the Springfield District. "I think we heard Tim Kaine said, 'I am nonpartisan,' and we heard George Allen say, 'Jobs are the best welfare program there is.' "

He added: "Kaine saying he is nonpartisan is ridiculous, since he used to work for the [Democratic National Committee]—one of the most partisan jobs out there."

What do you think? Did your candidate win? What could he have done better? Tell us in the comments below.

See Defense Cuts, Washington Gridlock Focal Points of Kaine-Allen Debate for more coverage of the debate.