The debate will start at 9pm tonight- I encourage you to stream/watch it and talk about what you think here.

Last time I streamed from nytimes.com and was very happy.

But for now: what do you expect? This is the debate that Obama has the 'hometeam advantage' in so to speak, since he has far and away more experience than Romney. Will that mean he can knock it out of the park?

On the other hand, the whole Benghazi debacle is still a fresh wound and I'm sure Romney won't hesitate to throw salt in it.

Ask to join if you're interested in participating!

I expect Romney will focus on Benghazi, will reiterate the "apology tour" rhetoric, will be bellicose (with little/no substantiation) about Russia, China and Iran. You can see my biases--

The pressure will be on Obama to be clear and forceful, and to reiterate the excellent work he has done in building and maintaining alliances.

The problem with our political discourse is we looking for the quick, simple story. The world is much too complex for the quick and simple-- but I suspect that is what we will hear from Romney, and that Obama will get pummeled for being complex.

"Be funny accidentally" wat

Rock it, Obama. Confront him.

Gender equality--whose definition of gender equality?

Wow great burn. obama is clearly on the offensive.

LET'S ALL TALK AT ONCE GUYZ

key point there, on Israel, from Obama

Very tit for tat!

It's really interesting how much more articulate Obama is

yeah, lots of 'uh's from Romney .

It sounds like Romney is agreeing with Obama on Syria: didn't he just repeat in his own words what Obama just said?

I wish I could join in on the live stream. While you guys are watching, though, I've got a question for you. How many people do you think watch the debates for entertainment vs as part of deciding who to vote for?

I think the answer says something, not necessarily negative, about our society. Election season is like the playoffs, and we all join in to have fun. Is it great that we're all civically literate enough to play along at home, and that we have the free time to do so?

Or is it embarrassing that we've made a game out of politics? One could argue that politicians made a game out of politics, but if this latter part is the case, should we be playing along?

anyone else notice romney occasionally sounds like bush? 'individjulls', 'isrull'

Zack, I share your concerns. It is a bit like we have made the debates into "American Idol" with instant polls and "winners" and "losers".

Zack: I'd love to know how much the debates actually sway voters. I feel like I hunt for reasons to dislike Romney/like Obama as much as I judge them.

Here, the moderator is doing a good job, pushing for greater clarity.

I'm posting on the go but I'm really impressed by Obama tonight. He's calm but clear and firm, while Romney is coming off as disparate and not confident.

Hursh, I also wonder if these debates reach the few undecided voters that there are...especially when it seems folks are more concerned about the economy and jobs than they are about foreign policy.

It was certainly shocking to see how much Obama's poll numbers dropped after the first debate! He really only stopped plummeting after the second one. Seems to go against the common knowledge that 'debates dont change the election'.

Josh, I agree. Obama is very firm and clear, passionate about the values underneath the policy positions.

Obama's talking about Israel A LOT though, don't know how I feel about that strategic pandering.

Overheard in 188 Scholes: "Fucking American exceptionalism..."

Whoa good question.

If Romney wants a peaceful planet, why is he advocating such an increase in military spending? I heard today he is calling for more naval carriers and submarines, when our navy is already larger than the next 13 smaller navies...

Yes a bit hawkish- also wants more missiles in Poland??

finally, clean energy emerges

finally, tax equity

"I know what it takes to create 12 million jobs..." But, on dirty energy.

Whoa...slam the teachers unions as the reason schools are failing

But what is the Romney deficit reduction PLAN? What are the specifics?

Very specific attacks from Obama- great to hear some specific policy differences.

We need some fact checking on Romney's education rant...

The moderator needs to take control back

.

twitter.com

(lololol @ horses and bayonets!)

ZING

BOOM!

I LOVE HORSES

Someone fact check that horses comment. I need the numbers.

great tweets @Geoff

en.wikipedia.org

#learnaboutit

#humble

OOO 'apology tour' get yo pitchforks out

we should have made "apology tour" a drinking game point

ALREADY ON IT

re: Apology tour:
twitter.com

"Trips we've taken" - like with dogs strapped to the roof of a car?

Wish he had dropped that one, or the catastrophic UK trip

best moderator so far, easily.

"being nice to us" as a foreign policy analysis--sheesh

"relatively near future"

I agree, Andrew--this moderator is the best so far

oh god "about this much"

Romney is going to be the most productive president in history on "day 1" if he wins it.

I wonder if this Bain attack from Obama will stick...

how many times will Romney remind us his dad ran an auto company....

research is GREAT!

Solyndra...another drinking game cue...

Romney loves teachers and Big Bird...

cue rambling

well, I am relieved this is over.

22 mentions of Israel, is what pundits are pointing out.

now the PBS panel is pointing out that our defense spending, according to Jaynes' , is more than the next 15 nations