Debate Prediction: It Will Be Even Handed & Will Not Change Trends At All

[stopbush]

In fact, it may be something of a letdown on both sides.

I believe McCain will keep his head down and will try to assume his nice-guy persona. His biggest challenge right now is to get people to like him. All other worries pale in comparison.

Obama needs to continue to be steady. People are looking to him as the harbor in the storm. Anything that smacks of being anxious or unsettling works against the image he has established for himself. He will fight back at anything McCain throws at him with facts and figures from sources other than himself.

At the end, the pundits will score it a draw, just like their first debate, which means Obama wins. McCain may do slightly worse than the first debate, but that will be due to the economic situation on the ground and little else.

We're seeing a replay of the primaries, where Obama slowly and steadily built an insurmountable lead over Hillary. Of course, that didn't stop the media from banging the horse race drum, even when it was over, not did it keep Hillary from stirring the waters and squeezing every last drop of blood from the turnip. Same thing's happening now. Everybody knows it's over, but we must go through the motions for some reason.

For those worried about Brokaw being unfair to Obama, don't. Obama is always a step or two ahead of the traditionalists, and Brokaw is no different.

[tekisui]

1. You are probably right.

mcPOW can't afford to look desperate or nasty. He has to maintain where he is. He needs a game changer, but can't risk it. Either way, he is screwed, and the trends will continue, just like after the first debate and the VEEP debate.

[grannie4peace]

2. i cannot imagine mcshit being evenhanded

[iceman66]

3. That would be fine for us,

[Schulzz]

4. The first two debates did not change the national polls at all.

So,I think you are right.

[speedoo]

7. I disagree. I think Obama got a huge boost from the first debate.

It's hard to seperate the effect in the polls from the effect of the financial meltdawn. But I believe Obama showed that he has what it takes to handle foreign policy, while McCain acted like a baby and it turned a lot of people off.

[speedoo]

5. That's a very good bet. I think it's going to be pretty boring.

The rules are very restrictive. No back and forth, no follow up questions.

It's over, folks. I am already starting to think about the problems President Obama has to face.

[BuyingThyme]

6. That's no fun, so I'm predicting that McCrazy uses the word

GOOK and then calls for a repeal of the MLK holiday.

[Ganja Ninja]

8. Yup. Unless something weird happens.

Like if McCain goes berserk and throws a violent fit or collapses in a heap on stage.

[elkston]

9. If it does turn out to be a "draw", then we'll get constant refrains of ...

"Why can't Obama close the deal??", etc. etc.

Of course, a win is a win. But I would love to see something transpire that just nails the coffin shut for McCain's ticket.

And you know what? Maybe it is just seeing the town hall Barack that we've all seen (but many voters have not) throughout this campaign: poised, relaxed, and giving detailed answers to questions.

(P.S. - though I'm sure he's worked on distilling his answers now into their solid themes)

[abbiehoff]

10. I don't think John has himself under control enough

to pretend to be Mr. Niceguy.

He's Mr. Explosive, and I'm not sure he can hide it very well.