Presidential Debates: What Are They Worth?
Fred Barnes, The Weekly Standard | September 29, 2008
Presidential debates cannot change the fundamentals of an election. ++ Reagan's poor opening debate against Mondale didn't keep him from a 49-state landslide, and Kennedy's strong debate against Nixon didn't insure his victory - a surge in the Catholic vote did. ++ While McCain performed well on Friday, the fundamentals haven't changed: unpopular president, more Democratic voter registration, and current financial crisis. ++ Both candidates must learn from the debate - play to their strengths and exploit the other's weaknesses.
