Debate Recap

This last Friday the Presidential candidates met for what was the first of their three scheduled debates. Most of the pundits are calling it a tie or a slight win for McCain. The debate was originally supposed to be on foreign policy; but because of the economic crisis it started off with financial and economic policy. Obama was stronger in this category than McCain. But McCain came back strong, proving his mastery of foreign and national security issues. Neither made any major mistakes and the debate was civil on both sides. But the debate did not seem to help any of the undecided voters make a decision as to who they feel would be best to run the nation.

This week is the highly anticipated Vice Presidential debate on Thursday October 2nd. After that, a town hall style debate between the presidential nominees is scheduled for next week.
How do real Republicans feel about the debate?

McCain Suspends Campaign

Senator John McCain has decided to suspend his campaign while Congress works on a fix to help ease the financial crisis and workout the details on the impending bailout. McCain has canceled campaign and media appearances. He has ask Senator Barack Obama to consider moving the debate which is scheduled for this Friday to a later date so that the Senators can focus fully on the economic bailout. Obama's camp has said they will not move the debate and this is the exact time the American people need to hear from their next President.

President Bush invited both candidates to the White House along with leaders from the Hill to work on the economic bailout. Both camps say the current $700 billion bailout plan is flawed and both have accepted the invitation.

First Debate this Friday

The presidential nominees will go head to head this Friday to debate foreign policy in the first of there debates scheduled for the next three weeks. The debates will be the first political discussion between the two men this election season.

The two men have different orator styles. Obama is a highly sophisticated scripted orator but his performances off script in some of the primary debates have been ineffective. McCain is a bit more clumsy when scripted but has a knack for off the cuff/one-on-one situations.

Also schedule for next week is the Vice Presidential debate. This debate might actually be more watched and scrutinized then the presidential debates. Biden is known for his tough style and is a seasoned veteran of Washington. But Sarah “Barracuda” Palin might not be easy prey for Biden.

Below is the complete debate schedule.

September 26, 2008: Presidential debate with foreign policy focus, University of Mississippi
October 2, 2008: Vice Presidential debate, Washington University
October 7, 2008: Presidential debate in a town hall format, Belmont University
October 15, 2008: Presidential debate with domestic policy focus, Hofstra University