We are on the brink of a historical event that is sure to influence the outcome of the Democratic presidential campaign.
Nothing is certain going into tonight's debate, except that it will be referred to in sports anologies.
Will Hillary swing for the fences, and shoot a flurry of low percentage three pointer shots in mounting an all out negative attack on Obama?
Will Barack play it safe and run out the clock with a conservative ball control offense and a six defensive back prevent defense?
Will the weary candidates clench and hold like exhaused prizefighters in the late rounds in a heavyweight bout?
Or will Barack follow through on his boxing anology and deliver the knock out punch that he said was needed to defeat the champion.
My feeling is that Barack is a quick study and has become progressively more and more skilled in these debate formats. He has talked about not wanting to repeat the emotional tone of heated confrontation that he was a part of in earlier debates. He will be cautious but he needs to also be strong, assertive yet courteous, presidential yet humorous. What ever he has been doing to date is working, he just needs to keep it up.
I think Barack feeling confident and is poised to deliver a decisive full nelson to Hillary's campaign hopes if she comes out flailing wildly.
Hillary has the potential to be either extremely hostile and combative, or to be vulnerable and charming. I'm thinking she will attempt to do both. Her back is against the wall tonight and she is going to pull out all the stops. She is under much stress and seems uncertain of what direction to take. She has the potential to find a shining moment, or to go down in desperate flames. I look for Hillary to bring up a surprise allegation.... She is going to try a trick play, something to try to stagger Obama and get that headline that she hopes will bring a momemtum shift.
All in all, the ball is in Hillary's court, to set the tone of the debate, and it's up to Barack to make the timely defensive adjustments.
I vote that Obama will hold serve and put more pucks in the net when the night is over.