The first debate is not until October 3rd. I predict that if things keep go like they are now...

Mitt agreed to four debates, two of them involving foreign policy, and one involving the audience?

it'd save time if he just suspended his campaign until the 6th.

There are normally 3 debates for the presidential candidates and 1 for the VP candidates.

That is how it was in 2008.

Still.

These folks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commission_on_Presidential_Debates

So, I think that the candidates have to agree to do the debates otherwise they would look CHICKEN

HE needs the debates not Obama

and deservedly so.

neuter the bastards!

Romney has already indicated that he'll follow Palin's lead from the 2008 VP debate and talk about what he wants to talk about.

The only event I think this approach may work at would be the first debate since it deals with domestic policy. Mitt can easily give 1 or 2 sentences of mouth-time to the question asked and then spin it to something dealing with the economy. Even the whole 47 percent snafu plays to the economy and I would expect him to just do a variation of his current comments should that come up.

Given the second debate will have questions coming from the audience I don't see how Mitt can just dodge any non-economy questions without looking like a total putz.

Same with the third debate. I'm sure he'd try to find a way to ignore any questions on foreign policy since he's mucked up every international-relations opportunity so far but I can't see him pulling it off without damaging his already shaky marks on that area.

It will be interesting to see if Romney tries to avoid saying anything that will get the rabid-right attendees cheering something that makes them look like neanderthals...self-deportation, people not being able to afford medical care, etc.