Last modified: Thursday, October 9, 2008 10:34 AM EDT Latest debate fails to inspire BY JIM HAND SUN CHRONICLE STAFF The latest presidential debate was yet another lost opportunity for the candidates to detail their plans for the economy and win over voters, local civic and business leaders said Wednesday. They said they did not hear the level of detail and explanation they were hoping for on issues like the mortgage crisis and health care. "I didn't get a lot of encouragement out of it," said Gail Carter, president of North Bristol County Association of Realtors. She said that before the debate she was hoping for solid plans to prevent home foreclosures and get the economy moving again. After the debate, she said she was discouraged by the lack of specific ideas. Carter also said the candidates did not address the topic of executives of failing financial firms getting extravagant golden parachutes while their companies get bailed out by the government. Brian Gilmore of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, an employer group, had said he wanted trade and tax policies addressed, but he, too, was let down. "I really wasn't impressed. There was nothing in depth. There was just political posturing," he said. Jessica Costantino of AARP Massachusetts had a similar view. She said the candidates talked about the economy, health care and entitlements, but did not go into specifics. "Our members want to know how are we going to make sure Social Security and Medicare are going to provide benefits in the future the way they have in the past," she said. Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter had said before the debate that he wanted to hear the candidates take leadership positions on drug crimes and gun violence. But, the debate was dominated by economic issues and foreign policy. Crime issues never came up. On the other hand, some viewers of the debate were pleased. Jon Carlson of the social agency Self Help said he hears every day from middle class families who need assistance, so he was glad to hear Obama talk about tax breaks for those making less than $250,000. He was also interested in McCain $300 billion idea to have the government buy up troubled mortgages to help keep people in their homes. But, Carlson said, with the national debt doubling over the past eight years, he has a hard time believing either candidate will be able to keep his promises. "It's all rhetoric at this point," he said. Carlson also said he was disappointed the candidates failed to talk about heating fuel assistance, which his agency deals with. Both contenders talked about alternative fuels, but those solutions are years in the future, he said.