Handicapping The Debates
Friday, September 26th, 2008
The Really: The debates will determine the results of the presidential election. Democrats have the advantage regarding moderators. Two PBSers and I suspect Sheiffer is a closet “throw the rascals out” kind of guy. Browkow will take the temperature and apply a contrarian balm by bending over backwards for the Republicans. But that is still a 3-1 “small” advantage. Plus it would be hard for the moderators to close their eyes to the past 8 years or the current mess.
Post Times:
All debates begin at 9:00 pm (EDT)
All debates begin at 9:00 pm (EDT)
First presidential debate: foreign policy and national security, moderated by
Jim Lehrer
Friday, September 26, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss.
– Two-minute answers, followed by five-minute discussion for each question.
Tie: Unless McCain has a Nixon-like moment or a senior moment he should be able to hold his own against Obama. However, Obama will look better to many just because he was the “first” one to make his campaign message “change.”
Vice presidential debate: all topics, moderated by
Gwen Ifill
Gwen Ifill
Thursday, October 2, Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.
– Ninety-second answers, followed by two-minute discussion for each question. Two-minute closing statements.
Joe Biden wins: He will waltz and do some serious damage along the way.
This will be a very bad night for Sarah Palin and the Republicans. Joe Biden will show up in a beautiful blue suit, starched white shirt and pocket square with his Senate cufflinks shining like the sun. He is a regular guy who knows how to clean-up well. He LOOKS like a possible President. Palin will try the neighbor next door approach but will sow serious doubt about how she could be a President especially as it would happen during the time of a major national emergency. This might actually be the difference in the election.
Second presidential debate: all topics in town meeting format, moderated by
Tom Brokaw
Tom Brokaw
Tuesday, October 7, Belmont University, Nashville, TN
– Two-minute answers, followed by one-minute discussion for each question.
TIE: Again which McCain shows up? The man who seems a bit lost on stage or the veteran patriot? Pick ‘em.
Third presidential debate: the economy and domestic policy, moderated by
Bob Schieffer
Wednesday, October 15, Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.
Bob Schieffer
Wednesday, October 15, Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.
– Two-minute answers, followed by five-minute discussion for each question. Two-minute closing statements.
Obama Wins: This where the desire for change will defeat latent racism, fear of lack of experience or anything else. Can you stand four more years of this? Trump card and victory.
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