First one is this Friday at Ole Miss at 7pm eastern time.

Quote :

"As announced two weeks ago, Jim Lehrer of PBS’s The NewsHour will moderate the first presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain September 26 at the University of Mississippi. The faceoff will focus on foreign policy and national security issues.** Thursday’s announcement laid out the debate format: each candidate will get two minutes to respond to a question, followed by an open discussion for another five minutes. The second debate, moderated by NBC’s Tom Brokaw, will be held October 7 at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. The format will be town-hall style; all questions will come from members of the audience or queries sent in over the Internet. The Presidential Debate Commission said earlier this month that Gallup will choose undecided voters from in or around the Nashville, Tennessee area to participate in the town hall, and Brokaw will review each question before it is posed to avoid duplication. The final presidential debate – which will cover domestic and economic policy issues — will take place October 15 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. CBS Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer will moderate. The Hofstra faceoff will be the only debate where each candidate will have the chance to make a 90-second closing statement. Details of the vice presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, which will be hosted by NewsHour’s Gwen Ifill, will be released after both candidates name their running mates."

** Originally supposed to be domestic issues, but was changed recently to foreign policy.



Post your predictions, thoughts and reactions here

9/23/2008 4:52:16 PM

I bet you'll see McCain get a short bump after foreign policy, and Obama get a short bump after domestic. I don't think we'll see much of anything after the VP debates because both candidates are going to say either 1) rude or 2) stupid things.

9/23/2008 4:55:38 PM

My prediction is I have no idea what to predict.

I think the subject matter and format favors McCain. He'll need to do well and act on top of things and in command. Frankly sometimes he just looks old and lost.

On the flip side, I think Obama needs to speak in more 'quick byte' fashion instead of the long drawn out and deliberate answer. He should also avoid the uhhh's and so forth like all my professors in college. I like that about him but it doesn't poll well.

9/23/2008 4:58:56 PM

^^My prediction for the VPs is that Biden will be perceived as rude by Republicans, Palin will be perceived as stupid by Democrats, and the populace at large (morons that they are) will probably lean Palin because they don't like seeing mean ol' grampa picking on the little old militant fundamentalist hockey mom.

As for this presidential debate?
No idea what's going to happen. I'd like to say that it all depends upon the questions, but it's unlikely that there will be anything but pre-packaged softballs.

[Edited on September 23, 2008 at 5:01 PM. Reason : .]

9/23/2008 4:59:12 PM

Quote :

"Originally supposed to be domestic issues, but was changed recently to foreign policy."

Hmmm, could this be because neither party has a substantial answer to the current domestic economic issues? No, this isn't possible, the people running the debates would want to ask them questions of substance on pressing national issues.

No, wait . . . they don't:
message_topic.aspx?topic=540848

9/23/2008 8:11:35 PM

Apparently now because both McCain and Obama are suspending their campaigns, the debate may be moved.....

9/24/2008 3:40:52 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/24/campaign.wrap/index.html

it's McCain, b/c he's fucking scared the economy and bailouts will be the main topic

what a bitch move

9/24/2008 3:59:08 PM

Quote :

"I think Obama needs to speak in more 'quick byte' fashion instead of the long drawn out and deliberate answer"

you mean mention talking points and be vague like he always does

Quote :

"what a bitch move"

what the hell man, why does that old motherfucker want to go to washington and be a part of fixing the fucked up economy when he could instead go on tv and talk? that fucker!111

9/24/2008 4:23:39 PM

1) If McCain really wants to help the economy, he will stay as far away from Washington as possible.
2) nice spin. really, really nice. Bill O'Reilly would be proud

9/24/2008 4:26:48 PM

its only spin when the guy i dont like does it

9/24/2008 4:28:15 PM

Quote :

"This is a critical time for our country. While I appreciate that both candidates have signaled their willingness to help, Congress and the Administration have a process in place to reach a solution to this unprecedented financial crisis. I understand that the candidates are putting together a joint statement at Senator Obama’s suggestion. But it would not be helpful at this time to have them come back during these negotiations and risk injecting presidential politics into this process or distract important talks about the future of our nation’s economy. If that changes, we will call upon them. We need leadership; not a campaign photo op. If there were ever a time for both candidates to hold a debate before the American people about this serious challenge, it is now."

[Edited on September 24, 2008 at 4:29 PM. Reason : Senate Majority Lead Harry Reid]

9/24/2008 4:28:42 PM

Harry Reid has Obama's back...what a big surprise...according to Kainen though, this isn't Democrat Harry Reid trying to do a political ploy of his own...nope...Reid is sincere, obviously...only McCain is capable of ploys

9/24/2008 4:30:49 PM

only politicians are capable of ploys.

9/24/2008 4:38:05 PM

Quote :

"what the hell man, why does that old motherfucker want to go to washington and be a part of fixing the fucked up economy when he could instead go on tv and talk? that fucker!111"

lol, he must have had a change of heart since the 60+% of votes he's missed in the current congress.

9/24/2008 4:38:53 PM

how many votes has obama missed? he opposed the war by...not showing up to vote yay or nay

9/24/2008 4:40:02 PM

~45%..

both camps are going to find a way to spin this, and to be quite honest, neither will fully understand the bill for which they end up voting. they're going to vote according to what they think will be best for thier campaign, which is why this blind party loyalty baffles me....it's like people would rather "their" candidate get the positive press than do what's best for the country.

9/24/2008 4:46:08 PM

how many votes has obama missed?

McCain hasn't made a roll call vote for more than five months.

Obama hasn't made one for more than two months.

9/24/2008 4:51:06 PM

i'd imagine obama has missed less votes than mccain

since mccain has been in congress a shitload longer

9/24/2008 4:53:26 PM

They should both just stay away and do the debate. They're not going to make any difference in the outcome anyway.....if anything, they'll complicate matters.

9/24/2008 4:55:24 PM

Obama is taking questions from reporters and handling this very well given the circumstances

How come McCain didn't answer questions after he pulled the fire alarm to avoid the midterm?

9/24/2008 4:56:35 PM

my figures were for only the 110th congress.

^^^you'd blindly defend anyone with an R beside their name wouldn't you



[Edited on September 24, 2008 at 4:57 PM. Reason : ^]

9/24/2008 4:56:40 PM

how is pointing out that one person is bound to have made and missed more votes because they've been in congress a lot longer defending anyone with an R beside their name?

9/24/2008 5:09:06 PM

When you defend the one who's missed a higher percentage, it makes you look partisan.

9/24/2008 5:16:44 PM

i cant really disagree with that

9/24/2008 5:18:33 PM

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/24/obama-fridays-debate-should-go-on/

Quote :

"Obama: Friday's debate should go on CLEARWATER, Florida (CNN) — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said he wants Friday's scheduled presidential debate to go ahead, despite John McCain's call for a suspension of campaigning to deal with the faltering economy. "It's my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who in approximately 40 days will be responsible for dealing with this mess," Obama said. He added, "I think that it is going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once." "

I'm glad... if McCain had succeeded, I'm sure we would have ended up with less debates rather than a rescheduled debate.

9/24/2008 5:24:14 PM

dealing with the faltering economy is more important than looking pretty on TV...it just is

Presidents get elected to do things like deal with a faltering economy...not try and outwit another politician in a contrived debate dually funded by the Ds and Rs

9/24/2008 5:27:20 PM

Just how exactly are they going to "deal" with the economy?

In most instances, congress would hold hearings with experts testifying on what they think is the correct approach to the crisis. You want to talk about looking pretty? Let's talk about this "fear" lingo that McCains side (the GOP) is spewing on the public about the ramifications of this not passing in Congress immediately. So, how are they going to deal with it when Paulson and everyone on that side of the fence (the ones that know the GOP grip on the presidency is now dead thanks to the economy stupid) wants shit passed YESTERDAY.

The same camp that McCain is in has entrusted the fix to what ails us to a former Goldman Sachs CEO economy who doesn't want any oversite into the system he has concocted. Shit, they should probably just leave McCain outside and let the adults handle discussing the economy (this may or may not include Obama).

[Edited on September 24, 2008 at 5:36 PM. Reason : a]

9/24/2008 5:34:33 PM

Quote :

"Let's talk about this "fear" lingo that McCains side (the GOP) is spewing on the public about the ramifications of this not passing in Congress immediately."

what about the "fear" of "we can't afford 4 more years"

9/24/2008 5:35:49 PM

Fear? Really? Try again.

9/24/2008 5:37:37 PM

yes, fear, really

or is that something exclusive to the republicans campaign strategy?

9/24/2008 5:38:27 PM

EVERYONE IGNORE TREETWISTA IF YOU ACTUALLY WANT THIS THREAD TO GO ANYWHERE.

9/24/2008 5:40:05 PM

everyone pay attention to "I'm Stoned 420"

he sounds like he's really on top of things in life

9/24/2008 5:42:09 PM

Quote :

"what the hell man, why does that old motherfucker want to go to washington and be a part of fixing the fucked up economy when he could instead go on tv and talk? that fucker!111"

How will he contribute, seeing as how he admittedly knows nothing about it?

9/24/2008 5:42:38 PM

*rides onto senate floor on a harley*

"my friends, i'm here to fix the economy"

"how are you going to do that"

*pops a wheelie*

"ya, keep the change kid"

9/24/2008 5:43:55 PM

^^how can EITHER OF THEM contribute anything at the debates?

[Edited on September 24, 2008 at 5:48 PM. Reason : EITHER OF THEM, NOT STR8FOOLISH]

9/24/2008 5:45:26 PM

I wasn't aware I was on the schedule for a presidential debate

9/24/2008 5:47:44 PM

"We can't afford four more years" is a statement based on facts and logic. It is not based on fear.

Quote :

"EVERYONE IGNORE TREETWISTA"

I'm doing this for the good of humanity, and not in hopes that the dolt will be swayed.

[Edited on September 24, 2008 at 5:50 PM. Reason : .]

9/24/2008 5:48:00 PM

^^see my edit

^Dubya isn't running this time in case you missed the memo, or the 22nd Amendment

9/24/2008 5:48:39 PM

Quote :

"^^how can EITHER OF THEM contribute anything at the debates?"

Providing information to the public so the public can make the best choice for president is a better contribution than trying to fix a problem you don't even understand

9/24/2008 5:51:01 PM

The "hope and change" slogan and the fear of "if this shit isn't fixed 3 days ago, every taxpayer will be out of a job, and you can blame the democrats in congress for delaying EVERYTHING" aren't even in the same league in regards to similarities.

[Edited on September 24, 2008 at 5:53 PM. Reason : a]

9/24/2008 5:52:12 PM

^^they've been providing "information" to the public for the last year...and yes i realize obama doesnt even understand the problem

^how about the fear of my car's exhaust causing the end of the world? btw the democrats also like to say people will be out of jobs if you dont vote for them...you're trying to make it sound like the republicans pull attack ads (which they do) but the democrats are straight shooters all the way...couldnt be further from the truth

9/24/2008 5:52:45 PM

They haven't debated yet, which is valuable information the public is seeking. Are you just here trolling or what?

9/24/2008 5:54:14 PM

why must they debate on friday? cant it wait a few days mr alias? isnt there more important stuff going on? i know for a fact there is

9/24/2008 5:55:16 PM

they've been providing "misinformation" for the past year and this is an attempt to keep information on how they stack up head to head from reaching the public because it clearly hurts McCain.

9/24/2008 5:55:22 PM

All Tittytwista does is troll.

9/24/2008 5:55:32 PM

Quote :

"they've been providing "information" to the public for the last year...and yes i realize obama doesnt even understand the problem"

It's an important choice. Plus, this is a higher profile event (ideally).

Really stupid attempt at a burn there. It might be better to realize that both of them would have to rely heavily on economic advisers (which isn't necessarily a bad thing as a President can't be expected to be an expert at everything Presidents have to make decisions on). However, claiming to be off fixing something personally that you don't understand is ridiculous.

9/24/2008 5:55:37 PM

^^on tww, not sucking obama's dick 24/7 = trolling

Quote :

"Really stupid attempt at a burn there"

not nearly as stupid as continuing to adamantly claim that having a presidential debate on friday instead of delaying it a few days so that these two senators can actually do their job is less important than breaking schedule

v you sure are doing a great job of ignoring me arent you

9/24/2008 5:56:00 PM

on tww, trolling 24/7 = TreeTwista10

9/24/2008 5:56:44 PM

Quote :

"why must they debate on friday? cant it wait a few days mr alias? isnt there more important stuff going on? i know for a fact there is"

Because they agreed to it? Because the American public wants to see what the candidates have to say about current topics? Because the real reality is that there should be more than enough folks in congress to handle the bailout debate. Because Hank Paulson and the GOP and now McCain himself knows they are fucked multiple ways with a chainsaw because of the economy and they are searching for any straw possible for the air out of this shit pile they have created for America?

Let's be honest here, you don't really know what you're arguing, you just know that the democrats are one one side of a position, so you'll take the other side, right?

9/24/2008 5:59:59 PM

Quote :

"Because they agreed to it? Because the American public wants to see what the candidates have to say about current topics?"

they cant wait a few days? you're acting like they're trying to eliminate the debates...are you intentionally trying to mislead people or are you just that ignorant? when your best argument for delaying the debates a few days so that a couple senators can actually do their jobs is that you can't change the time and date of debates, you're really really reaching

9/24/2008 6:02:13 PM