15
Oct
2008
Round 3: TONIGHT
The third, and FINAL, debate between McCain and Obama is tonight! I bet, like me, you felt like you’ve seen it all. You’ve seen a few (if not all) debates and things haven’t changed much. It’s the same old stuff. Right? Why waste your time watching?
I’ll give you one good reason to watch.
Tonight is John McCain’s last chance to change the course of this race and win it all. If he doesn’t land a few zingers and convince the American public that HE is the man to handle the economy, that he is the man to solve American problems, then it could all be over. McCain needs to paint Obama as unknown, risky, and unexperienced. He has to go back to his original point: Trust me, I’m experienced, I’ve been there before.
How do you think the debate will affect the people in your state?
Second of all: Watch the debate WITH someone. Don’t watch it alone, it’s boring if you can’t talk to someone about it! It’s especially fun if you watch it with someone who disagrees with you. 
Next: What do you think Saturday Night Live and John Stewart will make fun of this weekend? Usually, those things are the things that stick in the American people’s minds!
Finally: Who do you think will be the best President for the country??? Why? What did they show you in the debate tonight???
7
Oct
2008
Round 2: Debate in Nashvegas
In just a few hours John McCain and Barack Obama will face off for their second (of three) debates in Nashville, Tennessee.
In the past few days, as we discussed in class, the campaign has taken an especially nasty turn. McCain and Palin have questioned Obama’s ties to 60′s radical William Ayers. While Obama has called McCain ‘erratic’ (calling into question his age perhaps), and brought up McCain’s involvement in the Keating 5 scandle of in the early 1990′s.
In the mean time, the Dow Industrial Average plummeted yesterday and the world wide economy looks to be in dire straights. This appears to be helping Obama as his poll numbers continue to rise nationally, and in key states, ahead of McCain.
Tonight, Obama will simply need to not mess up. He’ll need to avoid any serious pitfalls and keep McCain from landing any ‘zingers’ on him. McCain on the other hand needs to be on the offense. He needs to reverse the tidal wave of new support heading Obama’s way.
McCain’s task is significantly more difficult than Obama’s – but possible. Remember the Reagan/Carter debate from 1980?
The debate will be held in a ‘Town Hall’ format. Traditionally pundits have said this format favors McCain. Questions are asked from audience members to the candidates with a free flowing format ensuing after the questions are asked. The candidates will be able to roam around on the stage and walk up to the audience in order to respond. It allows the candidates to be more spontaneous and more personable. You’ll hear a lot of ‘plainfolk’ talk tonight. See if you can point it out!
Some analysis on what to watch for tonight from the political ‘experts’:
Will they stay civil tonight? Who will throw the first punch? Will Obama avoid McCain’s attacks?
2
Oct
2008
Veep Debate!
Joe Biden and Sarah Palin debated tonight in St. Louis, Missouri!
Sarah Palin even made a joke about getting extra credit for watching the debate!
Did you see the debate? What did you think?
26
Sep
2008
Debate On!!!
Tonight at 8:00 John McCain and Barack Obama will debate each other – face-to-face – for the first time!
Just Wednesday, however, McCain threatened to back out of the debate in order to focus on the economy and the discussion going on in congress. Just a few minutes ago – McCain announced he WILL attend the debate! They’re meeting in Oxford, Mississippi, home of the University of Mississippi.
Do you think the debate will change any person’s mind? Or will it reinforce what they already believe? Also, what’s more important, what the candidates SAY, or HOW they say it?
It’ll be worth watching – entertaining television to say the least! (Seriously) I’ll be watching it on DVR a few hours later (or Saturday morning). They’re showing it on CNN and MSNBC (and maybe more channels).
Was there a clear ‘winner’ and ‘loser’? Did the candidates appear respectful of each other? What did you learn from the debate?
Let me know what I missed in the comments!
If you write up a debate summary with some of your own analysis and turn it in on Monday, I’ll give up to 50 possible points!!!