Traditionally, the first debate is said to help the challenger simply by virtue of elevating him to the same stage as the incumbent (unless they are both newbies).
Afghanistan, much less Iraq, is not even a blip here. Indeed, the first debate is all about domestic issues. At a city club Pow-Pow in the Brown Palace Hotel where your correspondent was a panellist, there was intense curiosity about whether the rest of the world still regarded Obama with the same sense of romance it did in 2008, but there were no questions about foreign policy or the wars. Interest is far greater among senior citizens, who among whites at least support Romney in greater numbers and who believe Obama is mortgaging the country's future with excessive government spending. Some 60 million viewers are expected to tune in nationwide. We know their positions," said a graduate student pausing to catch his breath in a running trail in nearby Cherry Creek. "I don't think I'll be watching even on TV, much less go to the venue.
SNAPPY COMEBACKS PROFESSIONAL
But not only does the format restrict exchanges to the three men on stage (Debate II in New York's Hoffstra University two weeks from now will be in a town hall format), but there are fears that the debate will end up becoming as scripted as professional wrestling. It's a shame because the event is being hosted at the University of Denver, a lively campus teeming with smart young people who would have loved to get a word in edgewise. In an exercise that often described in gladiatorial terms, both candidates are likely to be cautious and avoid making mistakes as they recite well-worn, copybook positions.
For the most part, down-to-earth, kitchen table matters are expected to dominate exchanges in these economically stricken times. But there will be nothing rarified, much less stratospheric, about the exchanges. Located in the heart of continental United States, Denver got the nickname "Mile-High City" because its official elevation is exactly 1609 meters (5280 feet) above sea level. Under the new rules, the Commission for Presidential Debate has intimated both candidates the broad topics they will be quizzed on: Three questions on the economy, one on health care, one on the role of government, and one on governing, constitute the fare for the evening, suggesting a bland, blunt 90-minute exercise that will rob the exchange of spontaneity or surprise, even though both candidates will look for that one electric sally or riposte (dubbed the "frozen moment") that will make headlines. The scribe who spotted this would have loved to put some questions to candidates who have demonized outsourcing/China/India etc, but expect no such ambush when President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney face-off at the University of Denver's Magness Arena on Wednesday night (6.30am IST, Thursday) The debate is being moderated by 78-year old Jim Lehrer of PBS Newshour, a genial veteran of 11 such pow-wows who once likened hosting it to "walking down the blade of a knife." But those days are gone. Too bad then the debate is a tightly controlled, carefully moderated event. Indeed, the recycled bag itself is - no surprises - Made in China.
DENVER: In the media kit provided to journalists covering the first 2012 presidential debate by the host University of Denver: a white 100 per cent cotton baseball cap, Made in China an aluminium water bottle, Made in China a 1 GB pen drive, Made in China.
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