2008 United States presidential debates

Part of the 2008 U.S. presidential election June 2024 June 2024 2008 United States presidential debates United States presidential no 2004 United States presidential debates 2004 2012 United States presidential debates 2012 September 26, 2008October 7, 2008October 15, 2008 John McCain official portrait 2009 (cropped).jpg John McCain Republican Party (United States) Arizona Barack Obama Official portrait of Barack Obama (1).jpg Democratic Party (United States) Illinois yes 2008 United States vice presidential debate presidential no October 2, 2008 Sarah Palin by Gage Skidmore 2 (cropped 3x4).jpg Sarah Palin Republican Party (United States) Alaska Joe Biden official portrait crop.jpg Joe Biden Democratic Party (United States) Delaware The 2008 United States presidential debates were a series of debates held during the 2008 presidential election. The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), a bipartisan organization formed in 1987, organized four debates among the major party candidates, sponsored three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate. Only Republican nominee John McCain and Democratic nominee Barack Obama met the criteria for inclusion in the debates, and thus were the only two to appear in the debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates. The CPD-sponsored vice presidential debate took place between their respective vice presidential running mates, Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. Both McCain and Obama did not agree to additional debates; however, each was interviewed at the Civil Forum on the Presidency, held on August 16, 2008, and at the Service Nation Presidential Forum on September 11, 2008. Both Palin and Biden also did not participate in any additional debates. Joint appearances Civil Forum on the Presidency Service Nation#Candidates presidential forum On Saturday, August 16, 2008, both McCain and Obama appeared at Pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in California. Similar to the Compassion Forum held in the Democratic debates, each candidate appeared separately, answering similar questions from Warren for one hour. Obama appeared first, followed by McCain.http://saddlebackcivilforum.com/index.html Saddleback Civil Forum August 5, 2008 January 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210125042611/http://saddlebackcivilforum.com/index.html live http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=weeklyreport-000002933564 CQ Politics McCain and Obama Will Meet in Church August 5, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080806081432/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=weeklyreport-000002933564 August 6, 2008 dead mdy-all On September 11, 2008, McCain and Obama were separately interviewed at the Service Nation presidential forum at Columbia University.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/11/AR2008091103788.html Candidates Promise National-Service Initiatives The Washington Post September 17, 2017 October 6, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181006084513/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/11/AR2008091103788.html live Debate schedule 2008 United States presidential election debates No. Number Date & Time Host Location Moderator ParticipantsKey:black #90ff90  P  Participant.    black #ff9090  N  Non-invitee.     #FFF Republican#FFF Democratic SenatorJohn McCainof Arizona SenatorBarack Obamaof Illinois 1  Friday, September 26, 2008, 9:00 – 10:30 p.m. EDTCPD: 2008 Debates https://www.debates.org/debate-history/2008-debates/ 2020-10-03 www.debates.org October 2, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201002142050/https://www.debates.org/debate-history/2008-debates/ live University of Mississippihttp://debate.olemiss.edu/ 2008 Presidential Debate The University of Mississippi August 8, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20081205002702/http://debate.olemiss.edu./ December 5, 2008 dead mdy-all Oxford, Mississippi Jim Lehrer of PBSPP 2  Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 9:00 – 10:30 p.m. EDT Belmont Universityhttp://www.belmontdebate08.com/ Belmont University - Debate 2008 May 13, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080513135056/http://www.belmontdebate08.com/ May 13, 2008 dead mdy-all Nashville, Tennessee Tom Brokaw of NBCPP 3  Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 9:00 – 10:30 p.m. EDT Hofstra Universityhttp://www.hofstra.edu/debate/Debate08/index.html 2008 Presidential Debate - Hofstra University May 22, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160507201626/http://www.hofstra.edu/Debate/Debate08/index.html May 7, 2016 dead mdy-all Hempstead, New York Bob Schieffer of CBSPP 2008 United States vice presidential debate No. Number Date & Time Host Location Moderator ParticipantsKey:black #90ff90  P  Participant.    black #ff9090  N  Non-invitee.   #FFF Republican#FFF Democratic GovernorSarah Palinof Alaska SenatorJoe Bidenof Delaware VP  Thursday, October 2, 2008, 9:00 – 10:30 p.m. EDT Washington University in St. Louishttp://debate.wustl.edu/ Washington University in St. Louis :: Vice Presidential Debate 2008 May 13, 2008 March 16, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130316064516/http://www.debate.wustl.edu/ live St. Louis, Missouri Gwen Ifill of PBS P P Format The first and third of the 90-minute CPD presidential debates were divided into nine 9-minute issue segments, allowing the candidates to discuss selected topics, answer follow-ups from the moderator and directly address each other. The second CPD presidential debate featured a town hall format in which voters, either present at the debate or via the internet, posed questions on a topic of their choice. The format of the single vice presidential debate followed that of the first and third presidential debates, but included questions on all topics, with shorter response and discussion periods compared to the presidential debates.http://www.debates.org/pages/news_092108.html Commission on Presidential Debates Hails 2008 Formats as "Historic Breakthrough" CPD September 21, 2008 September 29, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081001210955/http://www.debates.org/pages/news_092108.html October 1, 2008 dead mdy-all https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/21/campaigns-agree-to-debate-formats/ Campaigns Agree to Debate Formats Davis Susan August 21, 2008 Wall Street Journal blogs October 16, 2008 October 29, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081029225329/http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/21/campaigns-agree-to-debate-formats/ live Participants The Republican nominees were Senator John McCain, and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. The Democratic nominees were Senators Barack Obama and Joseph Biden. The debates were sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates. On August 2, 2008, Obama accepted the CPD proposal. In his letter, he stated that due to the short period between the conventions and the campaign, that it was "likely that the four Commission debates will be the sole series of debates" between the two. McCain criticized Obama for rejecting his town hall proposal.Douglass K. Daniel http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hjmksVl2byqc_-Lkbri0QQWkgUwgD92AFT400 Obama backs away from McCain's debate challenge August 4, 2008 Associated Press https://web.archive.org/web/20080806004022/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hjmksVl2byqc_-Lkbri0QQWkgUwgD92AFT400 August 6, 2008 On August 18, 2008, McCain and Obama announced they had agreed to the general CPD framework for the three scheduled presidential debates and the one vice presidential debate. http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/08/mccain-and-obam.html September 9, 2008 October 18, 2008 McCain and Obama Reach Agreement on Debates ABC News May 22, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110522031108/http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/08/mccain-and-obam.html live Criticism Commission on Presidential Debates#Criticism A Zogby International poll released on August 15, 2008, indicated that more than 50% of Democratic and Republican voters would like to see Libertarian Party nominee Bob Barr included in the presidential debates. Almost 70% of independent voters would also like to see him included. 46% of all voters polled and 59% of independents would also like to see independent candidate Ralph Nader included.Zogby Poll: Majority Want Libertarian Bob Barr Included in Presidential Debates https://web.archive.org/web/20081107004127/http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1538 November 7, 2008 , www.Zogby.com September 26: First presidential debate (University of Mississippi) First presidential debate Logo of the 08 Presidential Debate University of Mississippi.jpg 262 TV screenshot of the broadcast of 2008 Presidential debate at the University of Mississippi 90 minutes 2008 09 26 University of Mississippi Oxford, Mississippi John McCainBarack Obama Jim Lehrer of PBS The first presidential debate between Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama took place on Friday, September 26, 2008, at University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. The debate was moderated by Jim Lehrer of PBS. Although the debate was originally planned to focus on foreign policy and national security, due to the Great Recession Lehrer devoted the first half of the debate to discuss economic issues.http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hH6zUr8Zq5qx_S9rqL_TCayRrs4gD92MMRNO0 McCain, Obama agree on fall debates August 21, 2008 Associated Press https://web.archive.org/web/20080918211303/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hH6zUr8Zq5qx_S9rqL_TCayRrs4gD92MMRNO0 September 18, 2008https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/us/politics/26campaign.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&hp&oref=slogin The New York Times McCain Leaps Into a Thicket Adam Nagourney Elisabeth Bumiller September 26, 2008 May 26, 2010 April 25, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090425033007/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/us/politics/26campaign.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&hp&oref=slogin live McCain repeatedly referred to his experience, drawing on stories from the past. Often, he joked of his age and at one point seemed to mock his opponent. Obama tied McCain to what he characterized as Bush Administration mistakes and repeatedly laid out detailed plans. Neither McCain nor Obama broke from talking points, and neither candidate made any major gaffe.Obama, McCain claim victory after debate - Yahoo! News Reception An estimated 52.4 million people watched the debate.McCain-Obama debate draws 52.4 million viewersDecember 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes A CBS poll conducted after the debate on independent voters found that 38% felt it was a draw, 40% felt Obama had won, and 22% thought that McCain had won. Voters and analysts agreed that Obama had won on the economy, but that McCain had done better on foreign policy issues, which were the focus of the debate. However, Obama had a more substantial lead on the economy than McCain did on foreign policy.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-poll-obama-boosted-most-by-debate/ CBS News CBS Poll: Obama Boosted Most By Debate September 27, 2008 September 28, 2008 June 16, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130616104809/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/27/opinion/polls/main4482119.shtml?source=search_story live Initial CNN polling reported Obama won the debate overall by a margin of 51–38.http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/initial_polls_show_obama_winni.php TPM Election Central Talking Points Memo Initial Polls Show Obama Winning The Debate September 27, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080927171454/http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/initial_polls_show_obama_winni.php September 27, 2008 dead mdy-all A CBS poll of uncommitted voters showed Obama winning 39–24, with 37% of voters undecided.http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/2008Debate1.pdf CBS News Cbs News/Knowledge Networks Poll September 27, 2008 November 9, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201109030051/http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/2008Debate1.pdf live Times Mark Halperin graded Obama's performance an A− and McCain's performance a B−.https://content.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1845106,00.html Time Grading the First Presidential Debate September 26, 2008 May 28, 2017 July 28, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170728111953/http://content.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1845106,00.html live One analyst, Nate Silver, gave greater emphasis to the fact that Obama spoke more effectively about the issues that mattered most to the voters,Nate Silver, "Why Voters Thought Obama Won,"FiveThirtyEight.com, September 27, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20201204054855/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-voters-thought-obama-won/ December 4, 2020 . an interpretation that was supported by Time commentator Joe Klein.Joe Klein, "Next Day Thoughts," September 27, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080930012649/http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/09/next_day_thoughts.html September 30, 2008 . Several pollsters noted in the subsequent week that the public's perception of the debate might have been influenced by John McCain not looking at, or directly talking to his opponent during the debate, something many considered disrespectful.http://pewresearch.org/pubs/973/assessing-the-debate Assessing the debate September 30, 2008 September 30, 2008 November 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121113203108/http://pewresearch.org/pubs/973/assessing-the-debate live Proposed postponement On September 24, 2008, McCain announced his intention to suspend his campaign the next day and declared that he wanted to delay the first debate "until we have taken action" on the Paulson financial rescue plan.Bumiller, Elisabeth and Jeff Zeleny "First Debate Up in Air as McCain Puts Off Politicking" https://web.archive.org/web/20180816074854/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/us/politics/25campaign.html?hp August 16, 2018 The New York Times September 24, 2008. Retrieved on September 24, 2008 The reason given for the proposed postponement was so that McCain and Obama could return to Washington, D.C., in order to work on a legislative response to the 2008 financial crisis. Obama rejected that idea, stating that "this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess."Obama, Barack "In Their Own Words: The Debate Dispute" https://web.archive.org/web/20210126131515/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/us/politics/25words.html?ref=politics January 26, 2021 The New York Times September 24, 2008. Retrieved on September 24, 2008. A McCain adviser suggested replacing the vice presidential debate with the first presidential debates and postponing the VP debates to an unspecified later date.http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/24/mccain-camp-to-propose-postponing-vp-debate/ McCain camp to propose postponing VP debate CNN September 24, 2008 Dana Bash September 25, 2008 February 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210211215805/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/24/mccain-camp-to-propose-postponing-vp-debate/ dead Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, Robert Khayat, proposed that Obama hold a townhall meeting with the audience if McCain failed to appear.McCain Says He Will Attend Debate; Obama on His Way Bloomberg News https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=email_en&sid=asaj7KvW8tkY March 12, 2017 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125536/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=email_en&sid=asaj7KvW8tkY live On the morning of September 26, McCain agreed to participate in the debate, claiming that there had been enough progress in the financial bailout plan.http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/26/debate.mississippi/index.html CNN McCain, Obama debate Iraq strategy - CNN.com September 26, 2008 May 26, 2010 April 2, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100402133950/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/26/debate.mississippi/index.html live Three days later, however, the House of Representatives defeated the bailout proposal. Final vote results for roll call 674 Clerk of the United States House of Representatives http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll674.xml September 29, 2008 September 29, 2008 February 5, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110205071219/http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll674.xml live October 2: Vice presidential debate (Washington University in St. Louis) Vice presidential debate 2008 Vice-Presidential Debate logo.png 200 Wustldebate08.JPG 90 minutes 2008 10 02 Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, Missouri Sarah PalinJoe Biden Gwen Ifill of PBS The only vice presidential debate between Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Joe Biden took place on Thursday, October 3, 2008, at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. The debate was moderated by Gwen Ifill of PBS.Presidential Debate Moderators Set: PBS Gets Two, ABC Shut Out, Lehrer, Brokaw, Schieffer, Ifill Get The Call https://web.archive.org/web/20160803045411/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/05/presidential-debate-moder_n_117048.html August 3, 2016 The Huffington Post, August 5, 2008http://debate.wustl.edu/ 2016 Presidential Debate Washington University in St. Louis May 13, 2008 March 16, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130316064516/http://www.debate.wustl.edu/ live It was the first such debate to feature a female candidate since the 1984 vice presidential debate. The debate was watched by about 70 million viewers according to Nielsen Media Research, making it the most-watched vice presidential debate in history.https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/u-s-vp-debate-most-watched-in-history-1.743788?ref=rss CBC News U.S. VP debate most-watched in history October 3, 2008 February 6, 2019 November 3, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121103192133/http://www.cbc.ca/world/usvotes/story/2008/10/03/us-debate-polls.html?ref=rss live It was only the second presidential or vice presidential debate to surpass 70 million viewers, the first being the 1980 presidential debate between Governor Ronald Reagan and President Jimmy Carter, which drew nearly 81 million viewers.https://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE48S91820080929 McCain-Obama debate draws 52.4 million viewers Reuters September 29, 2008 February 6, 2019 November 22, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201122005203/https://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE48S91820080929 live Venue Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, had been offered the opportunity to host the debate, but declined in order to pursue hosting one of the presidential debates."Washington State University passed on vice presidential debate https://web.archive.org/web/20081006174710/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004027295_webwsudebate21.html October 6, 2008 ", Associated Press, November 21, 2007. In November 2007 it was announced that Washington University in St. Louis would be the venue for the debate.November 2021 Debate The first 90-minute presidential debate was divided into nine 3-minute issue segments, allowing the candidates to discuss selected topics, answer follow-ups from a moderator and directly address each other. The vice-presidential debate format followed that of the first presidential debate, but included questions on all topics and had shorter response and discussion periods.https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/21/campaigns-agree-to-debate-formats/ Campaigns Agree to Debate Formats Wall Street Journal August 21, 2008 August 4, 2017 October 29, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081029225329/http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/21/campaigns-agree-to-debate-formats/ live The two candidates had never met before, which was part of the build-up to the debate. Palin said on one of her stump speeches before the debate, "I've never met [Biden] before. But I've been hearing about his Senate speeches since I was in, like, second grade."http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/29/palin-takes-on-biden-directly-as-debate-looms/ CNN Palin takes on Biden directly as debate looms May 27, 2010 September 29, 2008 May 22, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110522124208/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/29/palin-takes-on-biden-directly-as-debate-looms/ dead After moderator Gwen Ifill introduced the candidates, where they came out, Palin asked Biden, "Can I call you Joe?" He replied affirmatively.http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/02/MNC013ADAH.DTL The San Francisco Chronicle A spirited debate between Biden and Palin Carla Marinucci October 7, 2008 November 18, 2021 November 5, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081105172402/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2008%2F10%2F02%2FMNC013ADAH.DTL dead She said at one point, "I may not answer the questions the way the moderator and you want to hear." Critics said she was avoiding the debate itself, while her supporters could make the claim that she was answering the questions to "Joe six-pack" or "hockey moms". She used her inexperience to her advantage by saying, "It's so obvious that I'm a Washington outsider and not used to the ways you guys operate." Palin spoke in greatest depth about energy policy while Biden spoke in greatest depth about foreign affairs. Biden refrained from criticizing Palin, concentrating his criticisms on McCain. Although Palin offered brief criticism of Biden, she concentrated most of her criticism on Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Whereas Biden defended against Palin's criticisms of Obama, Palin tended not to offer detailed defenses against Biden's criticisms of Republican nominee John McCain and the George W. Bush administration, emphasizing instead generalizations about McCain and Palin's plans to reform the ways of Washington. Biden let it be known that he thought at one time McCain was a "maverick," but that is no longer the case.http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/02/debate.transcript/ CNN Transcript of Palin, Biden debate October 3, 2008 May 27, 2010 April 6, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100406124031/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/02/debate.transcript/ live During the debate, Palin talked about a potential surge strategy in Afghanistan and identified the commanding general there as "McClellan." Pundits criticized Biden's omission of the general's name; he referred to him several times only as the "commanding general in Afghanistan," until it was discovered the General's name is in fact David D. McKiernan. At the end Biden talked about when his wife and daughter died and his sons were injured. He said "The notion that somehow, because I'm a man, I don't know what it's like to raise two kids alone, I don't know what it's like to have a child you're not sure is going to – is going to make it – I understand [...]." Palin did not react to this, instead returning to her campaign's platform.baltimoresun.comAugust 2026 medicmedic Reception Much interest leading up to the debate stemmed from Governor Palin's poorly handled interviews conducted in the weeks leading up to the event; many of her responses were the brunt of severe criticism,"Poll shows Palin might be losing some of her luster", Boston Globe, September 27, 2008September 15, 2008 https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/world/europe/16georgia.html?em Georgia Offers Fresh Evidence on War's Start The New York Times C.J. Chivers September 16, 2008 August 13, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180813124033/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/world/europe/16georgia.html?em liveSeptember 15, 2008 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/11/palins-abc-interview-stum_n_125818.html Palin's ABC Interview: Stumped On Bush Doctrine The Huffington Post September 11, 2008 Nico Pitney September 13, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080913205523/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/11/palins-abc-interview-stum_n_125818.html live and a poll in early October from the Pew Research Center showed that the number of people who believed Palin was qualified to serve as president had dropped from 52% to 37% in early September. Consequently, the vice-presidential debate was largely seen as an opportunity for further destruction or redemption on Palin's part. Several polls suggested that Biden had won the debate;Bolstad, Erika Biden won debate, but Palin more likable, poll finds McClatchy Newspapers (October 4, 2008). Retrieved on 10-05-08.Lightman, David Polls: Biden won debate, though Palin did well https://web.archive.org/web/20081007013528/http://www.kansascity.com/445/story/825655.html October 7, 2008 McClatchy Newspapers (October 4, 2008). Retrieved on 10-05-08. although, many observers were surprised by Palin's speaking abilities and knowledge of John McCain's policies.Vice presidential debate yields a split decision https://web.archive.org/web/20081006033015/http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/10/vice-presidenti.html October 6, 2008 USA Today (October 3, 2008). Retrieved on 10-05-08. CNN polls found Biden won 51 to 36.Ref https://web.archive.org/web/20081110074031/http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/early_snap_polls_biden_won_han.php November 10, 2008 It is widely agreed that both candidates accurately followed the "do no harm" guideline of vice-presidential debates. James Taylor, professor of political science at the University of San Francisco commented, "[Palin] resuscitated herself, but I'm not sure she did quite enough to do anything for John McCain." He added "Biden demonstrated he knows John McCain better than Sarah Palin does. She couldn't offer rebuttals during the depth of discussions. She read the Cliff Notes on McCain, and Biden has known John McCain."Ostrom, Mary Anne Analysis: In VP debate, both Palin, Biden 'did no harm' https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174146/http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10624895 March 3, 2016 (October 2, 2008). Retrieved on 10-05-08. According to a poll of uncommitted voters conducted immediately after the debate by CBS News and Knowledge Networks, 46% thought Senator Biden won the debate, 21% thought Governor Palin had won, and 33% thought it was a tie.Avi Zenilman CBS News/Knowledge Networks insta-poll: Biden wins big https://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/1008/CBS_NewsKnowledge_Networks_instapoll_Biden_wins_big.html?showall Politico October 2, 2008 October 2, 2008 October 3, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081003194801/http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/1008/CBS_NewsKnowledge_Networks_instapoll_Biden_wins_big.html?showall live Fox News Channel held a poll regarding the performance of each candidate, with 51% of the votes in favor of Biden, and 39% in favor of Palin."Palin or Joe Biden? https://web.archive.org/web/20190425061727/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/presidentialdebates/3129259/Who-won-the-VP-debate-Palin-or-Joe-Biden.html April 25, 2019 ", telegraph.co.uk The Opinion Research Corporation's poll on the debate revealed that 51% of viewers felt Biden had won, while 36% were in favor of Palin. In the same poll, 87% said Biden was capable of fulfilling the duties of the vice presidency, while 42% said Palin was capable. Palin was considered more likable however, scoring 54% to Biden's 36%. Mark Halperin of Time graded both candidates' performances a B.Mark Halperin Debate Report Card: Sarah Palin http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1846977,00.html?xid=rss-politics-cnn https://web.archive.org/web/20081003192205/http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1846977,00.html?xid=rss-politics-cnn dead October 3, 2008 Time October 2, 2008 October 2, 2008Mark Halperin Debate Report Card: Joe Biden http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1846995,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20081003192210/http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1846995,00.html dead October 3, 2008 Time October 2, 2008 October 2, 2008 The event overall was widely described as having little effect on the 2008 presidential race, although a CBS News poll found that the presidential race tightened following the vice-presidential debate, with the Obama-Biden lead falling from 9 points to 4 points.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-poll-presidential-race-tightens/ CBS Poll: Presidential Race Tightens CBS News October 6, 2008 February 6, 2019 October 7, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131007214243/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/06/opinion/polls/main4504633.shtml live left|thumb|155px|Gwen Ifill served as moderator of the debate. Moderator Gwen Ifill The debate's format offered moderator Gwen Ifill great freedom and power to decide the questions, which could cover domestic or international issues.AP Ifill hits jackpot in moderating VP debateNovember 2012 Legobot On the day before the debate, it gained wide media attention that Ifill had authored a new book The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama, which was to be released by publisher Doubleday on January 20, 2009, the day of the presidential inauguration.Ifill's book was no secret https://web.archive.org/web/20081005090328/http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081001/pl_politico/22742 October 5, 2008 Yahoo News, October 1, 2008) Ifill did not inform the debate commission about her book.VP debate moderator's impartiality questioned https://web.archive.org/web/20081029235613/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVAeSkYI2HWjkaX11O2cv09Zf73wD93I1TVO1 October 29, 2008 Fox News' Washington managing editor Brit Hume claimed Ifill had a "financial stake" in an Obama victory because of the profit she stood to make from her book.Ifill should step aside from debateJuly 2016 InternetArchiveBot yes John McCain said he was confident Ifill would do "a totally objective job," but stated, "Does this help that if she has written a book that's favorable to Senator Obama? Probably not."NYT Moderator’s Planned Book Becomes a Topic of Debate In response to the controversy, Ifill questioned why people assume that her book will be favorable toward Obama, saying "Do you think they made the same assumptions about Lou Cannon [who is white] when he wrote his book about [Ronald] Reagan?".Questions raised about moderator's impartiality https://web.archive.org/web/20090201125330/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/01/america/Debate-Ifill.php February 1, 2009 , The Associated Press, October 1, 2008 A national poll was held immediately following the vice-presidential debate, indicating that 95% of viewers felt Ifill was fair and unbiased."Debate poll says Biden won, Palin beat expectations https://web.archive.org/web/20201219035211/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/03/debate.poll/index.html#cnnSTCText December 19, 2020 ", CNNPolitcs.com. October 7: Second presidential debate (Belmont University) Second presidential debate Belmont University 08 Debate.jpg 264 90 minutes 2008 10 07 Belmont University Nashville, Tennessee John McCainBarack Obama Tom Brokaw of NBC The second presidential debate between Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama took place on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. The debate was moderated by Tom Brokaw of NBC. The debate was opened by stating that since the first debate, a lot had changed in the world and for the worse. While Brokaw did not ask the initial questions, he did ask follow-up ones. When the candidates were asked who they would consider as the next Secretary of the Treasury, McCain said that he might concur with Obama's suggestion of Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett and then went on also to suggest former eBay president Meg Whitman. Obama reiterated the mention of Buffett and said there are also many other qualified Americans. Both candidates said that it is important to choose as Treasury Secretary someone who earns the trust of the American people. The first 5 questions all were related to the economy. The first Internet question came from a 78-year-old, as Brokaw pointed out, "child of the Depression" about sacrifices that Americans might have to make in the future. McCain responded that spending– besides defense, veterans' affairs, and certain other programs that he specified during the first debate– would have to be frozen. McCain was critical of Obama's support for a $3 million earmark which would have bought a new planetarium projector for Chicago's Adler Planetarium, the oldest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. The current Zeiss Mark VI projector is 40 years old and no longer supported by its manufacturer, Carl Zeiss AG. McCain referred to it as an overhead projector. The earmark was not approved.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/08/obamas-planetarium-projec_n_133065.html Obama's Planetarium Projector Earmark Explained Huffington Post October 8, 2008 October 9, 2008 November 4, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121104134918/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/08/obamas-planetarium-projec_n_133065.html live Reception CNN's poll conducted after the debate found that 54% of those surveyed thought that Obama had won and 30% felt McCain had won.Steinhauser, Paul. Obama picks up second debate win, poll says https://web.archive.org/web/20210219190620/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/08/debate.poll/ February 19, 2021 . CNN. October 8, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008. In CBS's poll of uncommitted voters, 40% felt Obama had won, 26% thought McCain had won, and 34% said it was a tie.CBS Poll: Uncommitted Voters Favor Obama . CBS. October 8, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008. Times Mark Halperin graded Obama's performance a B+ and McCain's performance a B.https://content.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1848156,00.html Time Grading the Second Presidential Debate October 7, 2008 May 28, 2017 June 3, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170603013354/http://content.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1848156,00.html live Several media outlets, especially those on the Internet, reported controversy over McCain referring to Obama as "that one" while discussing energy policy. Many critics of McCain, including the Obama campaign, compared it to the first debate, when McCain did not look at Obama. http://news.aol.com/elections/debates/article/mccains-that-one-line-resonates/199316?icid=200100397x1211241433x1200675560 October 8, 2008 October 18, 2008 McCain's 'That One' Line Resonates Associated Press November 16, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181116094633/http://news.aol.com/elections/debates/article/mccains-that-one-line-resonates/199316?icid=200100397x1211241433x1200675560 live https://www.politico.com/story/2008/10/mccains-that-one-takes-off-online-014400 October 8, 2008 October 18, 2008 McCain's 'that one' takes off online Politico October 19, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081019104927/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14400.html live This incident was recreated on Saturday Night Live, with the actor portraying McCain referring to his opponent as "this character here," "junior," and "pee-pants." https://www.today.com/popculture/which-comedian-poked-fun-debate-one-wbna27098586 October 9, 2008 October 18, 2008 Which comedian poked fun at debate? That one Today.com May 21, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200521211108/https://www.today.com/popculture/which-comedian-poked-fun-debate-one-wbna27098586 live Many comedy show performers - Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, Jon Stewart and the Saturday Night Live crew - also lampooned McCain's habit of "wandering aimlessly about the stage" during the debate while Obama was speaking. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/10/the-mccain-wander_n_133775.html October 10, 2008 October 18, 2008 The McCain Wander The Huffington Post October 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081017220247/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/10/the-mccain-wander_n_133775.html live October 15: Third presidential debate (Hofstra University) Third presidential debate '08 Presidential Debate Hofstra University.jpg 264 90 minutes 2008 10 15 Hofstra University Hempstead, New York John McCainBarack Obama Bob Schieffer of CBS The third and final presidential debate between Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama took place on Wednesday, October 15, 2008, in the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on the campus of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. The debate was moderated by Bob Schieffer of CBS.Hofstra University Debate Activities Schedule https://web.archive.org/web/20081016034448/http://www.hofstra.edu/Academics/educ8/educ8_debateactivities.html October 16, 2008 . Hofstra University. Retrieved October 14, 2008. The focus was on domestic policy and the economy.Hofstra University Debate Media Information https://web.archive.org/web/20081016034448/http://www.hofstra.edu/Academics/educ8/educ8_debateactivities.html October 16, 2008 Hofstra University. Retrieved October 14, 2008. Joe the Plumber Joe the Plumber During the debate repeated references were made to Joe Wurzelbacher, aka "Joe the Plumber"."Joe the plumber is real hero of the debate" https://web.archive.org/web/20081017081832/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4952909.ece October 17, 2008 , The Times, Anne Barrowclough, October 16, 2008. Wurzelbacher had spoken with ObamaPlumberdämmerung https://web.archive.org/web/20090809155035/http://reason.com/blog/show/129498.html August 9, 2009 has the video while he was campaigning in Holland, Ohio. Wurzelbacher claimed that Obama's tax policy would make it difficult for him to expand his business and hire more employees if he bought the business at which he had been employed as a plumber. Obama gave a five-minute response where he said "under his proposal taxes on any revenue from $250,000 on down would stay the same, but that amounts above that level would be subject to a 39 percent tax, instead of the current 36 percent rate",http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license Seewer John Associated Press October 16, 2008 October 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081019153648/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 October 19, 2008 and that his plan includes a 50 percent small-business tax credit for health care and a proposal to eliminate the capital-gains tax for small businesses that increase in value, http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/18/fact-check-obama-said-he-would-spread-his-wealth-around/ October 16, 2008 October 18, 2008 Fact check: Obama said he would 'spread his wealth around'? CNN October 21, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081021045639/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/18/fact-check-obama-said-he-would-spread-his-wealth-around/ dead and "I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody", which Wurzelbacher later dismissed as "tap dancing...he was almost as good as Sammy Davis Jr.". In the debate, McCain repeatedly brought up "Joe the Plumber" and Obama and McCain then made statements aimed directly at Wurzelbacher. These events led to subsequent media attention directed at Wurzelbacher.Ohio.com - APhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101600099.html?hpid=topnews The Washington Post Candidates Make A Name for This Guy Joe Tom Shales October 16, 2008 May 26, 2010 October 5, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121005181832/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101600099.html?hpid=topnews live https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081015.wdebate1015/BNStory/International Toronto The Globe and Mail This page is available to GlobePlus subscribers October 31, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081019113939/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081015.wdebate1015/BNStory/International/ October 19, 2008 dead mdy-all He reportedly had been registered to vote in 1992 under the name "Samuel Joseph Worzelbacher", and voted in his first primary on March 4 of this year, registering as a Republican.http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418 'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes Bridget Tharp and Mark Zaborney Toledo Blade October 16, 2008 October 16, 2008 October 18, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081018154702/http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20081016%2FNEWS09%2F810160418 live After the debate, Wurzelbacher did not declare his vote for either candidate, although he expressed concern that Obama's plans were "one step closer to socialism." Obama's running mate Joe Biden argued that the vast majority of small businesses are smaller than Wurzelbacher's.http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/16/biden-questions-notion-of-this-guy-joe-the-plumber/ CNN Biden questions 'notion of this guy Joe the plumber' May 26, 2010 November 2, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081102181610/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/16/biden-questions-notion-of-this-guy-joe-the-plumber/ dead In an interview the day after the debate,https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081016/ap_on_el_pr/joe_the_plumber 'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license - Yahoo! News January 15, 2017 October 20, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081020182532/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081016/ap_on_el_pr/joe_the_plumber live Wurzelbacher said Obama's tax plan wouldn't affect him right now, because he doesn't make $250,000. He also indicated to reporters that he was a conservative, a fan of the military and McCain. He said meeting McCain would be an honor but said he hadn't been contacted by the Republican campaign. https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081016/ap_on_el_pr/joe_the_plumber October 16, 2008 October 18, 2008 'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license Associated Press https://web.archive.org/web/20081020182532/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081016/ap_on_el_pr/joe_the_plumber October 20, 2008 Reception CNN's poll conducted after the debate found that 58% of those surveyed thought that Obama had won and 31% felt McCain had won. In CBS's poll of uncommitted voters, 53% felt Obama had won and 22% thought McCain had won, Obama's largest margin of victory of the three debates. http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/10/15/instant_debate_reaction.html October 15, 2008 October 18, 2008 Instant Debate Reaction Political Wire https://web.archive.org/web/20081019025913/http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/10/15/instant_debate_reaction.html October 19, 2008 A Politico poll of undecided voters, conducted over a 15-minute period following the completion of the presidential debate, showed that 49% felt Obama won, while 46% believed McCain won the debate. Among respondents not identified with either major political party, McCain was judged the night's winner, 51-42 percent. Obama's most important lead may have come among Hispanic voters, who said he bested McCain by a 50-36 percent margin.https://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081016/pl_politico/14618_1 Debate exclusive: Obama wins by a hair - Yahoo! News January 15, 2017 October 20, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081020133242/http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081016/pl_politico/14618_1 live Bruce Merrill, professor of media and mass communications at Arizona State University, claimed, "I really think that [McCain's] negativism, the attack mode was one that does not play well with women and independents." Many observers felt that Obama had to simply avoid stumbles or mistakes in order to succeed in the debate. This was reflected in another professor's sentiments: "I didn't think Obama was as comfortable this time as he was in the other two debates, but I didn't really hear any gaffe, any major mistake," said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. Sabato added, "he might even be judged the winner."Holland, Steve McCain has best debate but Obama unscathed https://web.archive.org/web/20201121043849/https://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUKTRE49F0ZQ20081016?virtualBrandChannel=10112 November 21, 2020 Reuters.com (October 16, 2008). Retrieved on 10-16-08. Times Mark Halperin graded McCain's performance an A− and Obama's performance a B.https://content.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1850933,00.html Time Grading the Final Presidential Debate October 15, 2008 May 28, 2017 January 1, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180101082125/http://content.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1850933,00.html live Third party debates Several third-party debates were held in 2008. Presidential debates Third-party debates, 2008 N° Date Host Location Moderator(s) Participantsblack #90ff90  P  Participant.    black #ff9090  N  Non-invitee.     black #ffffdd  A  Absent invitee.   #FFFFFF Democratic#FFFFFF Republican#0F2346 Libertarian#0F2346 Green#0F2346 ConstitutionIndependent SenatorBarack Obamaof Illinois SenatorJohn McCainof Arizona CongressmanBob Barrof Georgia CongresswomanCynthia McKinneyof Georgia PastorChuck Baldwinof Florida AdvocateRalph Naderof ConnecticutD1October 15, 2008 Columbia University New York City Amy Goodman of C-SPANNNAPPPD2October 23, 2008 Mayflower Renaissance Hotel Washington, D.C. Chris HedgesAAAAPP Vice presidential debates Third-party debates, 2008 N° Date Host Location Moderator(s) Participantsblack #90ff90  P  Participant.    black #ff9090  N  Non-invitee.     black #ffffdd  A  Absent invitee.   #FFFFFF Democratic#FFFFFF Republican#0F2346 Libertarian#0F2346 Green#0F2346 ConstitutionIndependent SenatorJoe Bidenof Delaware GovernorSarah Palinof Alaska BusinessmanWayne Allyn Rootof Nevada ActivistRosa Clementeof New York LawyerDarrell Castle SupervisorMatt Gonzalezof CaliforniaD1November 2, 2008 University of Nevada, Las Vegas Las Vegas AAPAPP October 15: C-SPAN (Columbia University) The first of two televised third-party debates was held October 15 at Columbia University.http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2008/10/14/53922/sundays-c-span-opportunity-3rd.html#.UkL6uWRARlM Sunday's C-Span opportunity: 3rd-party candidates debate Recio Maria October 14, 2008 The McClatchy Company September 25, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130618040505/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2008/10/14/53922/sundays-c-span-opportunity-3rd.html#.UkL6uWRARlM June 18, 2013 dead The debate was broadcast by C-SPAN. It included Independent candidate Ralph Nader, Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin, and Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney. It was hosted by Amy Goodman, moderator of the widely syndicated TV/radio program Democracy Now! Libertarian candidate Bob Barr was invited, but declined to participate (citing scheduling conflicts). October 23: Free & Equal debate (Washington, D.C.) The second of the televised third-party debates was sponsored by the Free & Equal Elections Foundation and took place in Washington, D.C., on October 23.http://www.freeandequal.org/events.php?id=11 October 29, 2008 mdy-all Archived copy March 3, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201523/http://www.freeandequal.org/events.php?id=11 dead The third-party candidates who could theoretically win the 270 votes needed to win the election were invited, and Independent candidate Ralph Nader and Constitution party candidate Chuck Baldwin attended. Journalist Chris Hedges moderated. It was broadcast on cable by C-SPAN and on the Internet by Break-the-Matrix (BtM), one of the event sponsors (Other sponsors included Open Debates, the Daily Paul, and Steal Back Your Vote). Libertarian candidate Bob Barr was invited, but declined to participate (citing scheduling conflicts). November 2: Free & Equal vice presidential debate (Las Vegas) On November 2, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a third-party debate was hosted by the Free & Equal Elections Foundation. Libertarian VP nominee Wayne Allyn Root, Constitution Party VP nominee Darrell Castle, and independent VP nominee Matt Gonzalez participated.http://www.lvrj.com/news/33740169.html Third-party candidates for vice president debate April 5, 2017 Ball Molly November 3, 2008 Las Vegas Review-Journal bot: unknown https://web.archive.org/web/20120612011755/http://www.lvrj.com/news/33740169.html June 12, 2012 Other Alternative Presidential Candidates' Debate An Alternative Presidential Candidates' Debate was hosted by The Coalition for October Debate Alternatives (CODA), the Nashville Peace Coalition, and Vanderbilt Students of Nonviolence at Vanderbilt University, moderated by Bruce Barry. The participants were Bradford Lyttle of the U.S. Pacifist Party, Charles Jay of the Boston Tea Party, Gloria LaRiva of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Frank McEnulty of the New American Independent Party, Vice-Presidential candidate Darrell Castle of the Constitution Party and Brian Moore of the Socialist Party.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmshItKU_-g YouTube - Third Party Alternative Debate YouTube October 8, 2008 December 2, 2016 February 19, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210219190651/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmshItKU_-g live October 28: Third Party Forum (Cypress College) On October 28, a Third Party Forum was held at Cypress College hosted by Associated Students. Bradford Lyttle and Frank McEnulty participated as well as representatives for the Constitution Party, Green Party, and Nader campaign. A sixth, Bruce Bongardt, also participated describing himself as a "virtual candidate" who was not on the ballot but wanted to share his ideas.http://www.cychron.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=0b64e97f-7ffc-4518-81ba-08f0921e2097 "AS Hosts Third Party Forum: Six members from third parties attend." by Edward Derbes November 3, 2008 November 12, 2008 February 19, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210219190622/https://cychron.com/?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=0b64e97f-7ffc-4518-81ba-08f0921e2097 dead Proposed debates that did not materialize Proposals by third parties In November 2007, the CPD rejected New Orleans as a debate site on grounds that the city had not recovered sufficiently from Hurricane Katrina to handle such an event.https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/us/politics/20debate.html?ref=us "Panel Picks 4 Debate Sites, Angering Excluded New Orleans" The New York Times November 20, 2007 February 23, 2017 November 24, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201124225056/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/us/politics/20debate.html?ref=us live Seelye Katharine Q. The decision was criticized, and various candidates and newspapers urged the commission to hold a debate in New Orleans.https://archive.today/20120912031102/http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/119554146767460.xml&coll=1&thispage=3 Well Why Can't We Source: New Orleans Times Picayune November 20, 2007 On April 29, 2008, Google and YouTube announced that they would sponsor a U.S. Presidential Forum, to be held on September 18 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. It was intended to be hosted by The New Orleans Consortium, which consists of Women of the Storm and the Greater New Orleans Foundation as well as Dillard University, Loyola University New Orleans, Tulane University, and Xavier University.http://www.neworleansdebate.org/index.cfm?objectid=836AC560-1D09-317F-BB7C5F3B2A1FAF49 "New Orleans Consortium Hosts Presidential Forum Powered by Google and YouTube" July 9, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080716035755/http://www.neworleansdebate.org/index.cfm?objectid=836AC560-1D09-317F-BB7C5F3B2A1FAF49 July 16, 2008 dead mdy-all Unlike debates organized by the CPD, the 15% polling threshold was substituted with a threshold for participation at "no less than 10 percent of the voting age population intending to vote, as measured by at least three nationally-recognized public opinion surveys."http://www.neworleansdebate.org/index.cfm?objectid=549A1D2D-1D09-317F-BB4FE146140A8336 "Candidate Eligibility" July 9, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080712004207/http://www.neworleansdebate.org/index.cfm?objectid=549A1D2D-1D09-317F-BB4FE146140A8336 July 12, 2008 dead mdy-all This non-CPD sanctioned event was canceled because no candidates or parties agreed to appear.http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2F%2Flibrary-152%2F1217827266258810.xml&coll=1 2nd chance for debate in N.O. fizzles- NOLA.com April 25, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20120929192130/http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2F%2Flibrary-152%2F1217827266258810.xml&coll=1 September 29, 2012 dead mdy-all At the end of August 2008, Barack Obama and John McCain agreed to participate in a written "debate" on scientific issues, organized by a coalition of scientific, professional and media organizations called ScienceDebate.org. On August 30, Obama's responses were published in Nature magazine, and McCain's were published on September 15, 2008. ScienceDebate.org Science Debate 2008: Obama vs McCain http://www.sciencedebate.org/2012/debate08.html www.sciencedebate.org 2015-11-16 September 19, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150919161253/http://www.sciencedebate.org/2012/debate08.html live Proposals by the candidates In June 2008, John McCain proposed 10 town-hall style debates, considered his best format.http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/04/mccain.town.hall/index.html CNN McCain challenges Obama to town hall debates - CNN.com June 4, 2008 May 26, 2010 June 11, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090611072329/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/04/mccain.town.hall/index.html live Obama proposed five total debates between June and Election Day: three traditional debates plus a joint town hall on the economy in July and an "in-depth debate" on foreign policy in August.http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/chrndeb08/mccaintownhalls0608.html Statements on McCain Town Hall Meetings Proposal - June 2008 September 27, 2008 February 19, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210219190702/http://p2008.org/chrndeb08/mccaintownhalls0608.html live See also John McCain 2008 presidential campaign Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign 2008 United States presidential election United States presidential election debates 2008 Democratic Party presidential debates and forums 2008 Republican Party presidential debates and forums References 2 External links First debate University of Mississippi - Presidential Debate official site Presidential Debate https://web.archive.org/web/20120717092258/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/debate08/ July 17, 2012 full coverage from Memphis Commercial Appeal transcript and video from CNN transcript from The Wall Street Journal Vice presidential debate Washington University in St. Louis - Vice Presidential Debate 2008 official site video from BBC News transcript and video from CNN Second debate Belmont University - Debate 2008 official site Belmont Debate '08 full coverage from The Tennessean transcript and video from CNN. Third debate Hofstra University - 2008 Presidential Debate official site Third-party Presidential debates Third Party Presidential Debate (Full Video) October 23 Debate moderated by Chris Hedges Category:2008 in American television Category:Belmont University Category:Hofstra University 2008 Category:University of Mississippi Category:Washington University in St. Louis Category:Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign Category:Joe Biden Category:John McCain 2008 presidential campaign Category:Sarah Palin