Third Presidential Debate Preview - Updated All Day

A Look at the Issues and Campaign Messages Leading Up to the October 15th Presidential Debate

Note: This article consists of many updated entries with the newest at the top and the older entries beneath.

Debate Summary Part III

October 15th, 10:35 pm eastern

The final question from Moderator Bob Schieffer asked if the poor state of education in America despite the higher per capita cost was a threat to national security. Obama said it was a threat to the country's continued supremacy and that he advocated a college tax credit of $4000 in exchange for community service, but that parents had to take some responsibility for their children's efforts as well. McCain advocated charter schools and transferable tuition vouchers. Obama agreed that he also supports charter schools and competition in the school system, but disagreed with the idea that vouchers will cure the education system.

McCain's closing remarks asked whether voters can trust each candidate to fulfill the promises they made during the debate and pointed to his family's history of service to the country. Obama repeated that the policies of the last eight years have not worked and that it would be a mistake to repeat those policies for four more years. Change is needed, he said, to achieve 'brighter days." Obama called for all Americans to come together with a spirit of sacrifice and service for the good of the country's future.

Notably, after the debate McCain made a very clear show of shaking Obama's hand to prevent the criticisms he received after failing to do so after the second debate.

After watching the debate, I would say that McCain had a slightly stronger showing than he did in the previous two debates. Who won? I think it was too close to call; those with a predisposition will see their candidate as the victor, those who were uncommitted, probably didn't see a lot to change their mind. If the pattern from the previous two debates holds true then Obama will gain a little more ground than McCain. Videos of all three debates can be viewed at www.myspace.com/mydebates. I encourage anyone who missed them to go there and watch them, and most especially I urge you all to get out and vote for your candidate.

Presidential Debate Summary Part II