After the ballyhoo and hype of the national conventions, the presidential candidates get down to the business end of their campaigns next week with the first of four keenly anticipated – and potentially make-or-break – debates.
Neither campaign team will underestimate the importance of the debates, which, history has shown, can be the deciding factor in a tight race.
Leading comfortably in the polls, President Barack Obama may only need to tread water during the debates, while Mitt Romney will want to exorcise the ghosts of a horrendous couple of weeks.
We should expect the Republican candidate to come out with all his guns blazing in the first debate on domestic policy. But he will also need to focus on projecting an engaging and likeable demeanor that can match the president’s laid-back personality. Despite all the words and promises, the more personable candidate who is able to connect with voters tends to win the election (think Reagan, Clinton, George W, Bush in recent years).Depending on the tone of the first debate, the encounter between Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan may contain the most fireworks. Biden is known for his loose tongue and Ryan will be keen to impress and boost his credentials as “one for the future.”
Each debate will be broadcast live on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, as well as cable news channels including CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. Each debate will also be streamed live online.
DEBATE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, October 3
Topic: Domestic policy
Air Time: 8:00-9:30 p.m. Central Time (Mexico)
Location: University of Denver in Denver, Colorado
Participants: President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney
Moderator: Jim Lehrer (Host of NewsHour on PBS)
Thursday, October 11
Topic: Foreign and domestic policy
Air Time: 8:00-9:30 p.m. Central Time (Mexico)
Location: Centre College in Danville, Kentucky
Participants: Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan
Moderator: Martha Raddatz (ABC News Chief Foreign Correspondent)
Tuesday, October 16
Topic: Town meeting format including foreign and domestic policy
Air Time: 8:00-9:30 p.m. Central Time (Mexico)
Location: Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York
Participants: President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney
Moderator: Candy Crowley (CNN Chief Political Correspondent)
Monday, October 22
Topic: Foreign policy
Air Time: 8:00-9:30 p.m. Central Time (Mexico)
Location: Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida
Participants: President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney
Moderator: Bob Schieffer (Host of Face the Nation on CBS)