Changes

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In an interesting twist, the selection of the Vice Presidential candidates changed the complexion of the race.  By Obama picking Biden, he helped to fill the hole that McCain had been attacking dealing with a lack of foreign policy experience.  McCain's strongest point, experience, would lose some of its luster.  But the selection of Biden, and the passing over of Hillary Clinton, left another opening.  By aligning himself with someone who has been a Democratic stalwart, Obama's claim to change became less pronounced.  McCain seized upon that to select a Vice President that no one expected, and a woman, and steal some of the Democratic thunder.  Her lack of experience would further cut into the experience angle that had been in play earlier, but her own maverick streak in becoming governor combined with John McCain's maverick choice in selecting her led to a new emphasis on McCain's own maverick past.  Suddenly he saw an opportunity to steal the moniker of change that Obama had been wearing, and he went for it.  Such a change in position occurring from the Vice Presidential selection in rare in Presidential politics.

In an interesting twist, the selection of the Vice Presidential candidates changed the dynamics of the race.  By Obama picking Biden, he helped to fill the hole that McCain had been attacking dealing with a lack of foreign policy experience.  McCain's strongest point, experience, would lose some of its luster.  But the selection of Biden, and the passing over of Hillary Clinton, left another opening.  By aligning himself with someone who has been a Democratic stalwart, Obama's claim to change became less pronounced.  McCain seized upon that to select a Vice President that no one expected, and a woman, and steal some of the Democratic thunder.  Her lack of foreign policy experience would cut into the experience angle that had been in play earlier, but her own maverick streak in becoming governor by ousting another Republican, combined with John McCain's maverick choice in selecting her led to a new emphasis on McCain's own maverick past. Palin arguably had more "executive" / managerial experience than either McCain, Biden or, notably, Obama.  Suddenly he saw an opportunity to steal the moniker of change that Obama had been wearing, and he went for it.  Such a change in position occurring from the Vice Presidential selection is rare in Presidential politics.

==Debates==

==Debates==

''Main Article: [[2008 Presidential Debates]]''

''Main Article: [[2008 Presidential Debates]]''

There have been three [[Presidential Debates|presidential debates]] for the 2008 election season.  The first debate was held on September 26th, at the University of Mississippi.  The topic for the debate was "Foreign Policy & National Security." The debate also talked in length about the economy. It was moderated by Jim Lehrer. The debate was a podium debate, broken into 9 nine-minute segments. The moderator introduced a topic, and then each candidate had 2 minutes to comment. Following their answers, there was 5 minutes of open discussion on the topic, facilitated by the moderator.  The result was a statistical draw where both candidates did better than expected in the eyes of the public.  The longer term impact worked out well for Obama who already had a lead going in, and benefited from solidfying that position.

There have been three [[Presidential Debates|presidential debates]] for the 2008 election season.  The first debate was held on September 26th, at the University of Mississippi.  The topic for the debate was "Foreign Policy & National Security." The debate also talked in length about the economy. It was moderated by Jim Lehrer. The debate was a podium debate, broken into 9 nine-minute segments. The moderator introduced a topic, and then each candidate had 2 minutes to comment. Following their answers, there was 5 minutes of open discussion on the topic, facilitated by the moderator.  The result was a statistical draw where both candidates did better than expected in the eyes of the public.  The longer term impact worked out well for Obama who already had a lead going in, and benefited from solidifying that position.

The second debate was held on October 7th, at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.  The moderator was Tom Brokaw, and the debate was in a town hall-style.  The questions came from audience members and the Internet, as chosen by the moderator.  After each question, the candidates will had two minutes each to respond, as well as a one-minute followup to the opposing candidate's response.  Again the result was a statical draw as far as who was considered to be the winner.  But with time running out for McCain, he needed something to make the poll numbers move, and that required a clear breakthrough.   

The second debate was held on October 7th, at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.  The moderator was Tom Brokaw, and the debate was in a town hall-style.  The questions came from audience members and the Internet, as chosen by the moderator.  After each question, the candidates will had two minutes each to respond, as well as a one-minute followup to the opposing candidate's response.  Again the result was a statical draw as far as who was considered to be the winner.  But with time running out for McCain, he needed something to make the poll numbers move, and that required a clear breakthrough.