Schedule
First presidential debate
Date: Sept. 26
Location: University of Mississippi, Oxford
Topic: Foreign policy, national security
Vice presidential debate
Date: Oct. 2
Location: Washington University, St. Louis
Topic: General debate
Second presidential debate
Date: Oct. 7
Location: Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn.
Topic: Audience question-and-answer
Third presidential debate
Date: Oct. 15
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.
Topic: Domestic and economic policy
All debates will begin at 9 p.m.
Source: Commission on Presidential Debates
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Schedule agreed upon for 3 presidential debates
Once the confetti from the Republican National Convention clears Thursday, the upcoming presidential and vice presidential debates will give voters something new to look forward to this campaign season.
Dates were recently agreed upon for three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate. The first presidential debate is scheduled for Sept. 26 at the University of Mississippi. It will cover foreign policy and national security, two issues that presumptive Republican nominee John McCain has said are his expertise.
“Through his campaign work, (McCain) definitely touts his foreign policy experience, so I would not be surprised at all to see him play to those strengths,” Louis Glinzak, press secretary for the MSU College Republicans, said.
Although McCain is expected to rely heavily on traditional foreign policy ideas such as having a strong commander in chief and openness to exerting force, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama likely will focus on his plan to gradually withdraw from Iraq and continue efforts in Afghanistan, said Matt Zierler, an assistant professor of international relations and an expert in foreign policy.
Obama has come under fire for his lack of experience, which political experts have expected to weaken him in the debates. But Obama has expressed readiness to challenge McCain in person.
“If John McCain wants to have a debate about foreign policy, I’m happy to have that debate,” he told a crowd in Battle Creek last weekend.
Zierler said Obama will have to offer a well-defined plan in order to dispel the notion that he is inexperienced on major issues.
“(Obama) is going to have to clearly enunciate positions,” he said. “He needs to show he can lead, which means putting himself out there and expressing himself clearly.”
The vice presidential debate is scheduled for Oct. 2 at Washington University in St. Louis. It will be moderated by Gwen Ifill, senior correspondent for “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.”
Zierler said Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden is expected to outshine Republican Sarah Palin, but Glinzak said Palin’s experience with debates when she ran for governor of Alaska will give her an advantage.
“I’m sure the McCain campaign is grooming her well enough to be prepared,” he said.
In an election that is predicted to be close, the debates will play a large role in helping undecided voters choose, Zierler said.
Samantha Moore, a family community services and public relations senior, said she has not chosen a favorite candidate and is hoping to hear something from McCain or Obama to help her make a decision.
“I’m definitely not set in stone,” she said. “The debates will be a chance to hear both sides … we’ll be done with rumor and heresy, and it’ll just be a face-to-face discussion.”
Following the first debates, Tom Brokaw will moderate an Oct. 7 town hall presidential debate at Nashville’s Belmont University, during which candidates will field questions from the audience. The final debate will be moderated by Bob Schieffer and will cover domestic and economic policy. It will be held Oct. 15 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.
Published on Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Comments
Victoria Parret
09/04/08 @ 9:53pm
Thanks for the debate schedule. You are the only one who had it clearly laid out. vp
Billie Jernigan
09/04/08 @ 9:57pm
As a working mom, I am concerned with helping the poor of this country. I wonder how McCain can say he is in touch with the needs of Americans when his wife seems to be constantly flying all over the world to help foreign problems. I am sure there were children in this country without food and shelter. As a teacher I see them every day. What does he intend to do about the problems of the working poor who are uninsured. I had a child in my room today waiting for surgery on a cleft palette, using a feeding tube. Where was Cindy McCain?
Bill Barnes
09/05/08 @ 12:54am
This is still the greatest country on the planet and it is disturbing to me to hear and see the constant griping about what we don’t have. People in every country on earth would give their souls to live like we do and it’s because we can choose if we want to better our lives or wait for someone to hand us a better life. If you choose the later option, don’t blame me or any of us who go out, work hard and save for our future and provide for our families.
As far as our choice of someone to lead the country I want someone who thinks like that.
I also want someone who understands that what has made us a great nation and that is the people who work their butts off for a better life and not some politician who took something away from someone else to give it to me.”
I do however want a Christian as our leader because our nation was founded under such principles and I don’t want to have to worry about whether or not the person I choose is one.
If these values offend you, try to find a country that has a better way of life and know that as a US Citizen you also have the right to leave. Your rights by-the-way are available because of young men and women, some of whom paid the ultimate price, for your freedom like John McCain did. He paid five years of his life for the freedom so many take for granted.
Ruben Macedo
09/05/08 @ 2:43am
Nobody questions John McCain’s service record; on the contrary, I applaud it. However, in these past 8 years we’ve gone from a Surplus & thriving economy to amassing an enormous debt to be paid by our children, and their children! Should that solely entitle him to gain my vote? Or the fact that he’s chosen a female running mate with ‘strong family values’ & against abortion and gay rights… should that be the litmus test by which we elect our president?
A republican pillar has ALWAYS been small government and fiscal responsibility— ideals clearly not held by our current administration! The RNC, in as much as I wanted to hear solutions for these economic hurdles, only tauted Fluff & Rhetoric … not even broaching the issues, much less offering tangible solutions.
Oh, and Bill … as I recall from my 4th grade history class, the colonies were founded on the principles of remaining free from religious persecution – and now you wish to expel me for not agreeing with your so called ‘principles’?
Adam Inyang
09/05/08 @ 11:51am
Thank you Ruben, for your insight. Really quickly, I’d just like to say that I am sick and tired of hearing people say that someone gave their life to protect my freedom. When, at any point in time, was Vietnam a threat to American freedom? When was Korea a threat to American freedom? When was Iraq a threat to American freedom? America had a financial and special interest in these countries which is why troops were dispatched there. It has been proven that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. Why are we there?!
Bill, your comment sounds like you’re alluding to the false rumors that Obama is not Christian. Even if he wasn’t(which he is), why should that affect your decision? This country, like Ruben stated, was founded under principles of personal freedoms. Also, the government has long-time advocated a seperation of church and state. So despite a person’s religious affiliation, it shouldn’t affect their duty to the country and their position. Narrowmindedness should be considered a disease in this country; right along with obesity.
Bill Barnes
09/05/08 @ 3:59pm
Well I guess you folks told me!
Sorry if I offended someone who doesn’t agree with my opinion, but lets get some facts clear. Our soldiers fight exactly for our rights and if you think our country shouldn’t do that ask some of the people in those foreign lands if they are sorry we were there. Just because the fight takes place on foreign soil doesn’t mean it is not for our freedom. Have we forgotten already that 9/11 cost us over 3,000 lives on our soil and we discovered that those who hate us will go to any lengths to bring down our way of life. And also let’s be clear about where these folks live. Mostly they live in caves, but there are radical Muslims who live wherever their Governments will permit it. Let’s also be clear about just exactly what our military does and it is not always to kill people in foreign countries because for whatever reason but mostly because they don’t share our values. Whenever and wherever there is a natural disaster our military is often dispatched even if we can’t go ashore because a dictator regime refuses our help. Ask the people of Burma if they were disappointed that our Navy provided a hospital ship, supplies, and help after a devastating tsunami. Tell the people of Bagdad, West Germany, and South Korea that we were there because of economics and they will probably say, who cares, we are now free. I am grateful to all our public servants and that includes teachers. Teachers taught me some of the values I am talking about and I will forever be grateful, but I also admire those public servants who were going into the Trade Center to rescue citizens who were in danger because some people don’t like our influence or policial system or religious values.
The point about religion is evident in all the writings in our earliest government documents and I don’t need a history lesson from people who don’t understand that. I hear much about “the separation of church and state” which is not found anywhere in the constitution but the ACLU and others like to quote that phrase as though it is part of our legal heritage. I have a $10 bill in front of me and on the back it says, “In God We Trust” and I value that statement as evidence that our Government does believe that we are on this earth and in this country by divine providence and I refuse to apologize the my beliefs or those of the framers of our Constitution.
As far as Obama, I applaud the fact that he is a Christian, it does bother me though that for 20 years he was a member of a Church who’s pastor spouts anything but Christian values. I am proud of being a Christian and will never make any apologies for being so. That’s the religious freedom part many try to stifle by removing voluntary prayer or religious artifacts from our public buildings.
If we were to put it to a vote, I am certain such action would not be tolerated and the fight to prohibit such a vote would indeed be interesting by who screams the loudest against it. I am a member of the “silent generation” who is tired of being silent.
And please don’t try to tell me my service doesn’t matter or give me some rights to speak up for those real heroes who don’t come back from fighting for those people on foreign soil who want what we have and are also willing to die for it.
jennifer cavolo
09/05/08 @ 5:49pm
Bill, I agree wholeheartedly with everything you have said—Adam, Adam,Adam how can you live in this country and say you are tired of hearing someone gave their life for your freedom—Helllo does the revolutionary war mean anything to you maybe it wasn’t fought in your lifetime but those men fought so that you could sit their on your pansy little butt and whine about how you are tired of hearing about it—as for abortion rights and women having the right to choose—yeah they do— this is the 21st centrury and there are ways to prevent an unwanted pregnancy instead of being irresponsible and dealing with “it “ after the fact be a grown-up and take some precautions before hand—there is your choice—I am voting for John McCain-a man with some convictions and who lives by them and doesn’t just make a bunch of pretty speeches and then turns around and pats people like wright and Ayres on the back and gives them the benefit of the doubt
Ruben Macedo
09/05/08 @ 6:02pm
Bill, in as much as I’d like for people to open their eyes and minds as to what history can teach us – often times, our judgement is clouded by what we wish to see …..as opposed to what the true events dictate.
The first Ammendenment clearly states that, “….the Government may neither establish any religion nor prohibit the free exercise of religious practices….” This establishment clause prohibits the government from establishing a state-sponsored religion;As such, by electing a president (be it Christian,Muslim,Jewish, Buddhist, etc.) with the CLEAR INTENT to further policies based on principles and ideals held specifically by that particular group — well, isn’t that contrary to what our forefathers sought to prevent?
As for the “fighting for our freedom” cliche, the above mentioned reference to the 9/11 attacks wherein 3000 Americans perished — was it in any way attributed to the Iraqui People? Whom by conservative estimates, have death tolls (civilian) upwards of 200,000?! How were they involved with the 9/11 attacks? Osama Bin Laden was, in fact, not residing EVER in Iraq (nor were any of the other terrorists, most of whom came from Saudi Arabia – yet King Abdullah is chummy with the Bush Family …Oil + Oil =$$$)
…as for the $10 bill in your pocket, all I can say is that with the unemployment figures being their highest in a 5-year period, be grateful that you in fact have it to spend…. today, but what about tomorrow?
Bill Barnes
09/05/08 @ 8:13pm
Thanks for your responses and speaking of closed minds, me say it again, there is nothing in the constitution that says there must be a separation of church and state and I will send you that $10 bill if you can find it. Nobody (including me) condones the federal government from “establishing” a specific religion such as is done in some countries. And while you’re at it, talking about religious matters is every bit as applicable to the right of free speech as permitting porn sites on the web and that is also part of the first amendment.
As far as my economics are concerned I was working for Boeing when 9/11 occurred and we went from producing over 450 airplanes to less than 260 a year and 60,000 lost their job, including me.
Excuse me for not blaming President Bush for that or for that matter for not blaming Clinton when he failed to shoot Osama when he was in their sites. And are you so naive to think that Osama is the only Radical Muslim wanting to do us in or that they all live in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, etc.? When someone loses their life fighting for the way of life he and the others standing next to him just before he dies, does not represent a “cliche’” to me. Give me a break.
Ruben Macedo
09/05/08 @ 10:09pm
Amendment I
Interpretation of the article, which is what our Judicial system is pillared on, supports that indeed the State shall refrain from establishing any ‘official religion’. As for the secondary part, the free-exercise clause – You have every right to practice whatever you wish; however, the constraints are obviously that it not be in conflict nor impede on those of others.Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
Claiming to support a candidate solely on the merits of forging ahead a “Christian” agenda (and policies)is inherently an assault on this fundamental freedom, wouldn’t you agree? Of course, the fact that these are the same beliefs you happen to divulge in is irrelevant. Had you been born into a Buddhist family, or Muslim, or even Agnostic – would you share the same thoughts?
Bill, as children we’re taught to view things from others’ perspectives …. and from where I stand,Globally we’re viewed as the Terrorists.
…Oh, i meant ‘liberators’ — that’s what we are, correct? Liberator’s from Oppressive Regimes …uh, what about Darfur? Georgia? …oh, yeah! They’re not the ones sitting on the world’s 2nd largest natural petroleum reserve in the world.
James
09/08/08 @ 11:11am
Some of you people need to get a hobby…this article was about the upcoming debates not an individual arguement on religion…such silliness. And to think Bill and Ruben are grown adults…lol…you should have better things to do then bicker back and forth. I guess since the American Revolution we have still many things to overcome as a society. Let us now all bow to the great, and almighty internet that allows us to debate from across the world instead of local meeting halls!
Tia Anastasia
09/08/08 @ 10:58pm
All I want to know is , Where are the debates going to be televised? I hope in the regular TV chanels. I don’t suscribe to cable. (No money you see…) I still want to watch them.
Krista Williams
09/10/08 @ 12:03pm
Wow! First time commenting on a forum such as this. But it is important to I say some things from Alaska. I am born and bread Californian and have been living in Alaska for 14 years. I have watched Sara Palin and been impressed every step of the way. Something you may not have heard about is that within the first couple of months as Governor, on a Saturday she fired an entire agricultural board for being ineffective, our dairy was about to go down the tubes. She replaced that board and I have not heard any negative comments yet to come out of that bold decision. I was impressed by that. I said wow! what guts. I hope that she brings this kind of leadership to Washington and gets rid of ineffective players and cuts the unnessary spending. We also need to vote out ineffective players.
One thing I KNOW is that when my Californian dad comes to visit Alaska he gets new life breathed into him everytime!!! So lets keep Sara Palin in Alaska for long visits and then send her into Washington stronger and less entwined in the Washington Garbage! No offense Washington, but come to Alaska, take a step back and then go back to work with your heads pulled out and stop making us trillions of dollars in debt and get a clue!
Thomas Thacher
09/10/08 @ 5:41pm
Krista;
The only thing that put us “trillions of dollars in debt” is the Iraq war pushed forward relentlessly by the Republican administration. That’s a simple fact, not a political statement or debateable point. As a registered Independant, I’m tired of false blame. And Palin may have had plenty of guts, but it’s not just about that. Not by a mile.
Senator Obama’s resume:
~Before getting to the US Senate Obama served 11 years in the Illinois State Senate.
~Barack Obama is a graduate TOP of his class at Harvard Law School. Barack Obama also has a degree in Political science specializing in International Relations.
~Barack Obama worked in Chicago, Illinois as a community organizer, Obama, as the director of the Developing Communities Project in Chicago, helped set up a job training program, a college preparatory tutoring program, and a tenants’ rights organization in Altgeld Gardens.
~When he joined the Developing Communities Project, it had a staff membership of one person and an anual budget of $70,000, but when he left it three years later, it had 13 staff members and an anual budget of $400,000. Barack turned a public service organization that prepared people for education, jobs and serviced their struggling neighborhoods into a solid success.(EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE)
~Barack Obama worked as a Civil Rights lawyer for 9 years.
~Barack Obama was also a University of Chicago Constutitional Law Professor for 12 years.
~In the U.S Senate Obama has served on the FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE, VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOUR & PENSION COMMITTEE.
~In the US Senate Obama has written 890 pieces of legislation, and co-sponsored 1096 pieces of legislation.
Sounds like somebody I’d like as President. I await the debates, like many do.
Thomas Thacher
09/10/08 @ 5:48pm
Oh, and Obama is a Christian and a patriot, just like most people who run for President. He was sworn into the Senate on his own bible by vice president Dick Cheney himself.
This fear out there that Mr. Obama is somehow a Muslim needs to be put down. Nothing wrong with being a peaceloving Muslim. But we’ve got enough to think about without irrational fears being injected into the debate and our choices.
Patrick White
09/10/08 @ 9:45pm
Let us try to understand the candidates for how they stand on the issues that really matter to us as devoted US citizens. Reject all smoke screens and attempts to take focus off the real issues. The constant focus on race, sex and religion of the canditates even mattering in this election are very disconcerting as usual. We tout ourselves as being strong because of our diversity; but, continue to use tactics to focus on our devisivness. Obama is not a follower of Islam, but, why should that really matter in a country that is strengthened through religious freedom. McCain historic to the time prior to the 2004 election was moderate and often crossed party lines; but, had many of his convictions lost due to secular tactics. This should not happen in a country that wants a pragmatic leader to forge us through some very difficult times.