What to Look for in the Debate tonight

The first of three presidential debates will occur tonight, and there are two major issues to look for between the two candidates.

1. McStunt: McCain made a horribly calculating, horribly STUPID move earlier this week when he "suspended" his campaign to "help" in negotiations for the bailout plans of Wall Street. I write "suspended" because the campaign did not stop, as ads continued to run and offices remained open. I write "help" because McCain's participation in the plan equaled an absolute destruction of everything Chris Dodd, Barney Frank, and others had assembled the prior three days. I heard on NPR this morning that the executive meeting McCain was involved in went so poorly that Hank Paulson got on one knee and begged his fellow republicans to help pass the measure. As of today, no proposal is even close to being passed.

That was bad enough, but McCain went for the coup de grace in political mockery by asking for the suspension of tonight's debate, so, you guessed it, he could "save America" and work on the bailout proposal.

What McCain has done with all this posturing is raise expectations for his performance tonight. By going for the gauntlet of "looking presidential," he came off as lame, opportunistic, and shallow, lacking any of the substance that we expect from our commander in chief. McCain has never been much of a debater, but I think tonight will prove critical if his performance reflects the shady, scatter shot behavior we've seen this week.

2. Lock 'n Load: Obama MUST do well tonight, as this is the first time that all Americans--both democrats and republicans--will see him in a substantive policy debate. And on foreign policy, nonetheless, a topic McCain is still seen to have an advantage in (no matter how misguided that view may be). Thus far, Obama has been a fine, if irregular, debater. While his speaking abilities are beyond reproach, he is a tad more inconsistent when speaking impromptu, with his debate speeches and explanations lacking the flair and humility of his stump speeches. The effect? he comes across as too professorial for "bitter" voters whom he needs to win this election.

During the primary season, there was one debate where Obama was noticeably better than Clinton, that being the Ohio debate. In that presentation, he was charming, eloquent, and concise, never over talking his points while calmly asserting his presidential prowess. That's what he needs to do tonight, to make voters feel comfortable voting for a 47-year old black man. For many of us, that was never a factor, but for some it still is, and their fears MUST be squashed for Obama to win in November.