In past election cycles, I have likened debates among the candidates for president as 'joint press conferences'.
• They generally already know the questions, or at least a topic for which they practice a 2:00 speech.
• They will not allow the other candidate to ask them a question directly.
• They make sure the podiums make them stand eye-to-eye.
In the case of McCain . . . he wants to be situated so the camera can't see his skin cancer scars!
McCain's camp also pushed for seating positions at the third event that will allow him to obscure the scar on the left side of his face, a remnant from previous medical procedures.
From that same article . . . it looks as if Biden is letting McCain set the rules for the Palin debate . . .
According to a report in the New York Times Saturday, the campaign of Senator John McCain has fought for tight rules on how the VP debate will run, limiting the chances of anything other than short answers, and ensuring the debaters will not speak directly to one another for anything more than short periods.
{Snip}
The Obama campaign was reportedly not involved in the discussion, with advisors to Biden claiming they were comfortable with whatever rules were put in place. The negotiations were between the Commission on Presidential Debates, a non-partisan organization, and McCain advisors.
. . . Why concede any of the advantage Joe Biden has going in by letting McCain/Palin set terms?
And, can I just say that I LOVE that the first presidential debate this Friday is on 'The Economy'
EDIT: My bad, the 'economy' waits until the final debate . . . and in retrospect, I see that as an Obama advantage. However much I'd like to see the poll numbers climb now, that may help with the final push.