Presidential Debate Comes at Crucial Time for Obama and McCain

The presidential debates thus far have gotten more attention than any series of debates in the last several elections. The first presidential debate confirmed Barack Obama's rise to the lead in several polls, while the Vice Presidential debate drew record numbers. But now that the buzz for the first Obama/McCain debate and the anticipation for the Palin/Biden debate have died down, the second presidential debate has a little less hype and attention by comparison. However, it could still be crucial for Obama and McCain.

The second presidential debate is held tonight at Nashville's Belmont University. Moderated by Tom Brokaw, the debate will be held in a town hall format where Obama and McCain will be asked questions by the audience. There are certain to be a variety of topics addressed, whereas in the first debate, the economy and foreign policy dominated the entire discussion.

Those two issues may still likely be the dominate topics of tonight's debate, which could provide more bad news for McCain. The economy is widely seen as the issue that gave Obama a substantial lead in the polls, with foreign policy, and criticism of it, as the issue that helped Obama win the Democratic primary. Attacks about McCain's handling of both issues have put McCain in a hole as October progresses.

The past few days have been focused on Obama and McCain's respective talk on the other's past associations, a la Bill Ayers and Charles Keating. It is too early to tell yet if the talk has helped boost Obama and McCain's standing in the polls.

However, with the high profile of the debate, whatever issues and gaffs come from it could overshadow those mud slings for one night. If the debate goes well for Obama, however, McCain and Sarah Palin may be even more committed to character attacks in order to change the topics of discussion.

Obama tries to get a victory in the presidential debate at a time where he continues to go past McCain in the polls. The most recent swing state polls from Fox and Rasmussen give Obama a lead in Colorado, Missouri, Florida, Virginia, and a tie in Ohio.