Robert Schlesinger

John McCain and Barack Obama's Debates Probably Won't Be Game-Changers

September 25, 2008 RSS Feed Print

If you watch the bloviators on the 24-hour news networks, you know that Friday night's debate (if it comes off) will be a game-changer—it's pretty well accepted conventional wisdom at this point.

But it's wrong, according to Gallup. Gallup looked at its polling numbers and found that only 1960 and 2000 were associated with meaningful shifts in public opinion.

Tags:
Gallup,
presidential election 2008,
Barack Obama,
debates,
John McCain

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you suck

adfg of MO 5:18PM October 16, 2008

The debate last night really made evident the calm, reasoned and open mind that Obama has at his disposal. In the 21st century we need a leader who is open and willing to take a much more global view of what we do and how we are percieved in the world.

I do not want another arrogant, opinionated, stubborn American president. Time to look to the future not relive the mistakes of the past.

Cathy of PA 5:28PM September 27, 2008

Fact is, debates will just put the old microscope on 2 people who don't deserve the presidency of (once) the world's greatest country.The United States needs a proven leader, and a capable right-hand public servant as well. Let's focus on our solutions, people.

W Franklin of DE 3:03PM September 26, 2008

Robert Schlesinger

Robert Schlesinger

Robert Schlesinger is managing editor for opinion at U.S. News and World Report, overseeing all opinion editorial content. He is the author of White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters. E-mail him at rschlesinger@usnews.com. Follow him on Twitter: @rschles.

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