Real Debates

06 August 2008 |permalink | email article

While McCain and Obama continue to calculate their choice for vice presidential running mates, three 90-minute presidential debates – especially the first – that could decide the 2008 election surface on the political horizon.

Jim Lehrer, anchor of “The NewsHour” on PBS, will moderate the first debate on Sept. 26 in Oxford, Miss., three weeks after the Republican National Convention concludes Sept. 4.

Tom Brokaw, moderator of “Meet the Press,” will helm the second debate Oct. 7 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The final debate in Hempstead, New York on Oct. 15 will be handled by Bob Schieffer of CBS News.

Gwen Ifill, also of PBS and moderator of “Washington Week,” will moderate the only vice presidential debate on Oct. 2 in St. Louis.

The fact that the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates shut out ABC and the cable networks is significant.

Perhaps after the chaotic circus and gong show that clouded more than 20 primary debates in the insufferably long primary season, objectivity may be restored with seasoned moderators. 

Quotes of the Day

“”You can argue that nobody’s ready to be President.” – Bill Clinton to ABC News, still refusing to admit that Barack Obama is ‘ready’ for the White House. He argued in nearly every speech that his wife was ready to be President on Day One. (Hillary Clinton will headline rallies for Obama in Las Vegas Friday and south Florida on Aug. 21.)

“Things go on inside McCain’s head that rarely ever come out.” – Mark Salter, his book collaborator and speech writer who has been closer to him than anyone since 1989.

“It’s kinda stupid.” Roberta McCain, the candidate’s 96-year old mother, reacting to his absurd “celebrity” ad featuring Brittany Spear and Paris Hilton aimed at diminishing Obama.

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