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''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 solidifying that position.

There have been three [[Presidential Debates|presidential debates]] for the 2008 election season.  The first debate on September 26th discussed "Foreign Policy & National Security" and also dealt at length with the economic crisis. 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 on October 7th, followed a town hall-style.  The questions came from audience members and the Internet, as chosen by the moderator.  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 people move his way, and that required a clear breakthrough that never happened

The final debate was held on October 15th, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY.  The topic for the debate was "Domestic and Economic Policy" and was moderated by Bob Schieffer.  The candidates were seated at a table, as opposed to behind a podium, and the format followed that of the first debate.  In addition, though, the candidates were given an opportunity to present a 90-second closing argument.  Both candidates were again viewed as having done well, which was a tactical defeat for McCain as the poll numbers showed only small changes.

The final debate was held on October 15th concerned "Domestic and Economic Policy." Both candidates were again viewed as having done well, which was a tactical defeat for McCain as the poll numbers showed only small changes.

===Vice Presidential Debate===

===Vice Presidential Debate===

There was one vice presidential debate held on October 2nd, at Washington University in Saint Louis, MO.  The debate was moderated by Gwen Ifill.  Palin did much better than expected, but Biden was also in top form.  No clear winner emerged and the poll numbers remained largely unchanged, a strategic win for the Democratic ticket that only had to maintain their lead to win the election.  Interestingly, the number of people who watched the debate was an alltime record for a Vice Presidential debate, and was viewed by more people than any of the three Presidential debates.

There was one vice presidential debate held on October 2nd.  Palin did much better than expected, but Biden was also in top form.  No clear winner emerged and the poll numbers remained largely unchanged, a strategic win for the Democratic ticket that only had to maintain their lead to win the election.  The number of people who watched the debate was an alltime record for a Vice Presidential debate, and was viewed by more people than any of the three Presidential debates.

==Third parties and Independents==

==Third parties and Independents==

This election year, as others, there were a number of third party candidates.  Initially, [[Bob Barr]] especially appeared that he could become a spoiler.  As the election came closer, the appeal of those candidates began to wane in favor of McCain and Obama.

As usual there were a number of third party candidates, but none made much of an impact.  Briefly the Libertarian [[Bob Barr]] had enough strength to become a spoiler for McCain.  He faded quickly. See [[United States Presidential Election, 2008 -- Third Party Candidates]].

For a discussion of the candidates see [[United States Presidential Election, 2008 -- Third Party Candidates]].

==Primaries==

==Primaries==

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[[Category:United States]]

[[Category:Obama Presidency]]

[[Category:United States Presidential Elections]]

[[Category:United States Presidential Elections]]

[[Category:United States Presidential Election, 2008]]

[[Category:United States Presidential Election, 2008]]