2008 Elections Debates
All 4 debates will begin at 6pm PT and last for 90
minutes.
Each debate will be broadcast on the major
broadcast networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and PBS.
They will also be aired on cable news channels
such as CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and C-SPAN.
Here is a break down of what each debate will
consist of:
1. First
Presidential Debate
Date: Friday, September
26. Site: University of Mississippi. Topics: The bailout plan
for the current economic crisis, Foreign Policy & National Security.
Moderator: Jim Lehrer. Staging: Podium debate. Answer Format: The debate will
be broken into 9, 9-minute segments. The moderator will introduce a topic and
allow each candidate 2 minutes to comment. After these initial answers, the
moderator will facilitate an open discussion of the topic for the remaining 5
minutes, ensuring that both candidates receive an equal amount of time to
comment.
2. VP Debate
Date: Thursday, October
2. Site: Washington University
(St. Louis).
Moderator: Gwen Ifill. Staging/Answer Format: Debate
will consist of both foreign and domestic policy questions asked by the
moderator. Format will be similar to the presidential debates, but more
restrictions on re-battles.
3. Second Presidential Debate
Date: Tuesday, October
7. Site: Belmont University. Moderator: Tom Brokaw.
Staging: Town Hall debate. Format: The moderator will call on members of the
audience (and draw questions from the internet). Each candidate will have 2
minutes to respond to each question. Following those initial answers, the
moderator will invite the candidates to respond to the previous answers, for a
total of 1 minute, ensuring that both candidates receive an equal amount of
time to comment. In the spirit of the Town Hall, all questions will come from
the audience (or internet), and not the moderator.
4. Third Presidential Debate
Date: Wednesday, October
15. Site: Hofstra
University. Topic:
Domestic and Economic Issues. Moderator: Bob Schieffer.
Staging: Candidates will be seated at a table. Answer Format: Same as First
Presidential Debate. Closing Statements: At the end of this debate (only) each
candidate shall have the opportunity for a 90 second closing statement.
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