I haven’t posted on politics for almost a week. Yes, the Sarah Palin excitement is starting to wear off, and yes, Obama has seen a little bump in the polls (such that McCain is no longer ahead). That was probably to be expected. But I interrupt the silence to report something totally unexpected (at least by me): The topic of the first presidential debate, scheduled to take place on Friday, September 26 at The University of Mississippi, has been suddenly changed from domestic issues to foreign policy. Wow. Why is this interesting? Because most polling indicates that domestic issues favor Obama while foreign policy issues favor McCain. So one would have to think this move favors McCain. But, of course, the switch had to be agreed upon by Team Obama as well, so they must have their reasons. Anyway, domestic issues move to the subject of the final debate, on Oct. 15, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.
Zack McMillin of Memphis Commercial Appeal reports:
Whether it was John McCain’s campaign pushing to switch the topic of the first presidential debate to foreign policy and national security or Barack Obama’s campaign relishing the chance to go after McCain’s perceived strength, the University of Mississippi’s preparations for the Sept. 26 event received a curveball on Thursday.
For months, the Commission on Presidential Debates had assured Ole Miss that the focus of the debate at its Gertrude C. Ford Center would be on domestic issues. However, a joint announcement Thursday from the Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns said negotiations on the debates had resulted in a switch.
(HT: John Mark Reynolds)