foreign polict

It has been a long time waiting, but tonight the first presedential debate is finally on. It was uncertain whether or not it would take place, with John McCain saying he would not attend unless progress was made on the bailout bill.

It is here now though, and with both Obama and McCain already on the ground in Oxford, the debate is going forward as planned. At the time of this writing, we are but five hours out from the event, which begins at 9PM EDT. 

In general, the person who wins the first presedential debate is on the fast track to the white house, should either candidate lose, he will have a hard time regaining lost ground to say the least. On paper, this debate belongs to McCain.

Unfortunately for McCain, it is not going to be that easy. With the way the financial situation has been shaping the campaign the last few days, the debate will inevitibly shift to the economy. This will help Obama in the debate, and could be his ticket to escape total debate disaster tonight.

Ideally, Obama will want to begin the debate on the economy, to put McCain on the defensive from the get go. Then when the debate goes to foreign policy, McCain will be playing catch up. Obama is not looking to win this debate, he is looking to neutralize it. The Obama campaign knows if the debate seems like a tie, it goes to the front runner, which of now is Obama. 

The end result is that neither candidate will likely emerge the clear winner. Despite McCain's debate experience, and Obama's charisma, both candidates are so strong in certain areas the debate will leave some scratching their heads.

Will there be plenty of fireworks in the debate tonight? You bet. Will either candidate be able to edge out this debate in their favor? Right now it is looking that the first debate will either not hurt either candidate, and help Obama, or hurt McCain, and help Obama.