Pre-Debate Thoughts

So what should each candidate do tonight during the town hall debate? With Obama holding a significant lead, with only 28 days left until Election Day, what strategy should each candidate have tonight?

First, the town hall debate format. Tonight's questions are supposedly coming from undecided voters and the questions from "MySpace" users. That's debatable. While the town hall format is McCain's favorite, I expect the audience and questions to be leaning Democrat, as is usually the case in these types of debates. In 1992, the town hall debate sealed the deal for Clinton. While Bush looked at his watch and looked totally bored and confused, Clinton mastered the art of "feeling your pain." Whatever one's thoughts on Clinton, this question and answer basically ushered in the Clinton Presidency.

So how should the candidates approach the debate tonight? If I were running Obama's campaign, here would be my advice: Continue to talk about Bush and tie McCain to him. Don't sound defensive in any attacks on you, just dismiss them as old news from a "campaign out of ideas." Don't wander off the script. Try to work in "new direction," "restoring our image in the world," and "American values" into your answers. Don't get bogged down in Senatorial talk, don't sound arrogant, but be humble and talk about the "privilege to serve this great country." Stay above the personal attacks on McCain, instead commend his character, disagree with his ideas.

For McCain: Make sure you articulate an economic plan beyond earmarks. Drill, baby, drill, on how gas prices affect not only filling up your car, but grocery prices, electric bills, etc. Drill away at how your plan utilizes the country's resources, working to develop alternatives, creating more jobs at home, lowering prices for everyone, and taking us off our dependence on foreign oil. And how this can be done environmentally friendly. Explain why lower taxes are good and how you can balance the budget. Remind the viewers how inept government is in solving our problems, and how foolish it would be to let the government take more control of health care. But along with what you will do, you must attack Obama's plans, worldview, and influential people in his past and present, about his own statements as well, without being too blatant about it. Address your attack directly to Obama, making him answer. Look at the camera when talking about your ideas. Don't worry about how the people in the audience respond, but what the viewer at home hears. Gamble on the idea that most voters have not heard these attacks before, or had forgotten about them. And call these facts and not attacks.

McCain has the more formidable challenge tonight. Whereas Obama is only running against Bush, McCain is running against Obama and Bush, attempting to attract independents without ticking off some in the Republican base in the process. McCain needs to make the campaign about Obama again, that's the only shot he has. We'll see what unfolds tonight.