buzz092108
On the homepage
Food
Out There
Reusse's Turkey
NewsBreak
Continued: Debates: Vexed sighs and videotape
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on DiggPRESIDENTIAL DEBATES
8 p.m. Friday
• University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss.
• Focus on foreign policy
• Moderated by PBS' Jim Lehrer
Other debates planned
• Oct. 7, town-hall style
• Oct. 15, on domestic policy
Vice presidential debate
Oct. 2, structured format
More from Politically Connected
Weary and recovering from illness, Richard Nixon looked so bad in his TV debate with John Kennedy that his mom called afterward to see whether he was all right.
Thirty years later, Al Gore loudly sighed, shrugged in exasperation and got in George W. Bush's face in a display of pique and impatience.
In presidential campaign debates, a slip of the tongue, an awkward gesture, style points and the seemingly spontaneous one-liner have provided telling moments that shape elections and live on in history. The elder George Bush's words from 1992 may be forgotten. The fact that he looked at his watch remains a distinct memory.
More often than not, the debates have been standoffs, not turning points. Debates have done more to reinforce trends and reputations than to change them.
But when two candidates go head to head live, you just never know.
And when Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama meet Friday at the University of Mississippi for the first of their three debates, the pressure on them will be as intense as it gets in politics.
Both campaigns see the debates as pivotal moments in a presidential race that is not only extraordinarily close but is also drawing intense interest from voters, reflected in the enormous television audiences for the conventions.
The presidential debates will have an unusual free-flowing format. The vice presidential debate, planned for Oct. 2, is another matter.
At the insistence of the McCain campaign, the vice-presidential debate will be much less freewheeling, aides to both camps said Saturday after a hard-fought agreement was reached.
Wrangling between the McCain camp and the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates had been pointed, with the commission insisting on a looser format that included time for open discussion. The McCain campaign was holding out for few or no unfettered exchanges.
McCain advisers said they were only slightly concerned about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's relative inexperience as a debater -- Joe Biden of Delaware has served six terms in the Senate -- or about Biden's chances of tripping up Palin. Instead, they say, they want Palin to have opportunities to present McCain's positions rather than spending time talking about her own experience or playing defense against Biden.
Previous pageRecent Politically Connected stories
NY Republican advisers say Giuliani more interested in running for US Senate than governor - September 20, 2008
NY Republican advisers say Giuliani more interested in running for US Senate than governor - Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who many Republicans have been pushing to run for governor in 2010, is instead leaning more toward a run for U.S. Senate, according to two party advisers. More
- Disabled vet who inspired Franken sues McDonald's for $10 million
- No guarantees on Senate health bill's public plan
- Health care issues: US costs vs. other countries
- Obama expects support for more Afghanistan troops
- Obama urges Congress to put off Fort Hood probe
- House Roll Call: How they voted on abortion issue
The Whistleblower blog has moved
The Star Tribune is still blowing the whistle, but our look and location have changed. Click here to get to the new blog. If you want the actual URL, it’s www.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower.html. Our blog posts will now be easier to search on the web site, but you’ll need to register to post a comment. In the [...]
Recent posts
  Get A ProfessionalFind home maintenance, car repair, legal advice, cleaning, and more in the Yellow Pages. Go now! |
Comment on this story | Read all 1 comments | Hide reader comments