So how useful will the debates be?

[WI_DEM]

Three presidential and one VP debate. I think they will be vital and hopefully we can turn this McCain trend around by then. I know the 1960 debates helped JFK a great deal, but on the other hand, Kerry out debated Bush in 2004 each time and it didn't seem to make a difference.

I think Obama and Biden will have to be on the offensive, never give in to the defensive. Each time the corporate media hacks who are moderating try to make this about personalities and non-issues, I believe that Obama and Biden have to shift it back to the miserable record of the McBush republicans and that we can't afford another eight years.

In short, I want Obama and Biden to show no mercy.

[democrattotheend]

1. I'm nervous about them

Obama is smart but debates are not always his best forum...he tends to stutter a little and be too long-winded. He hates speaking in prememorized sound bytes and I respect him for that but to a lot of people that just looks like he doesn't know the issues and feeds into this meme that he's just an empty-suit who knows how to read a teleprompter (despite the fact that what he reads on a teleprompter is often his own writing, but most people don't know that).

[Buck Rabbit]

4. Yep, Republicans just spew canned bumper sticker length simplifications.

They are easy to remember. You sound decisive. You never stumble. Independents don't study issues, they want sound bite platitudes they can relate to.

Drill for more oil, don't point out how minuscule the untapped US reserves are, just drill so we don't have to conserve. Offer up ponies. Solve all the voters problems with zero sacrifice on their part. Did I mention ponies? Everyone likes them.

[scheming daemons]

2. Obama will be up by 2 or 3 at the first debate....

if he comes out the other side still up by 2 or 3.... we're in great shape.

[Rambis]

3. I want a "Quayle" moment from Palin

after all she is no Jack Kennedy-

I hope they go well for BO McCain't is hopelessly lost-

[AlinPA]

5. Not much for us. Stupid gotcha questions about flag pins and other non issues

make the "debates" a joke. I can hear them now "Mrs. Palin, that's a nice big flag pin you have on; how much do you love America?"