LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times CDT, GMT-5)
By Jude Sheerin
2004 Ding, ding, round one.
Where do you stand on financial recovery plan?
1959 McCain has reportedly hired a top debating coach who advised him he had his worst McCain awaits nomination after storm ...
Faithful cheer McCain VP running mate ...
Barack Obama visits Afghanistan ...
US candidates make Latino appeals ... debates in the Republican primaries while seated - the format for the third presidential debate next month. McCain has also reportedly been advised to avoid overusing the phrase: "My friends."
1957 In the nearest thing to a presidential debate so far, at a Californian megachurch, McCain is widely perceived to have bested Obama with a straight answer to a question linked to abortion, on which the Democrat was said to have waffled.
1955 BBC North America editor Justin Webb: The best thing about this debate is its open format. I expect McCain to win in the sense of connecting with America. He needs to use humour to leap artfully over the nonsense of the last few days...
1953 If you've been following this from the start, we've just put up live streamed video from the debating hall, and you can find it if you refresh your page.
Shaun, Shanghai, China I would like to hear some strategy and solid actions to restore some confidence in the US. We need to hear comments on financial responsibility and regulation as well as foreign policy.
1947 A body language expert told me earlier this year McCain blinks too much when nervous. But he can be quick on his feet in debates and engage an audience with folksy humour. Having said that, satirical US news website The Onion said the other day McCain had a "creepy smile". Struck me as a little harsh.
Paul Volpe, The Washington Post: Expect McCain to draw heavily on his experiences over the last few days in tonight's debate, casting himself as someone willing to put aside partisanship for the good of the country and Obama as nothing more than a partisan warrior.
1946 Analysts are saying Obama must avoid coming across as too much like the law professor he once was. He can exude an almost Zen-like calm, though at times during debates with Hillary Clinton he is said to have appeared testy. Obama's cool manner is an asset but he will hope to avoid seeming passionless.
1942 In the blue corner we will have Barack Obama. In the red corner, John McCain. I'm picturing the Democrat as a debating gentleman pugilist, an elegant southpaw, and McCain as more of a scrappy slugger, hurling polemical haymakers. To pummel the boxing metaphor, neither wants to be shown up as a lightweight.
Joe Akinmusuru, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States This debate is crucial. McCain may be temperamental and shoot off an unguarded comment which can be a winner for him or may confirm his recklessness. Obama on the other hand is noted for being 'cool'. This could come out positive as he may appear unruffled and level-headed, a needed recipe for a multitasking president.
1934 These presidential telly debates have helped pick a winner ever since a youthful and composed John F Kennedy saw off an unshaven, sweaty Richard Nixon in 1960. Will a young pretender cause another upset tonight for an older rival?
nodder75 tweets: I compare Obama to Pinnochio Every time he misleads the american public his ears grow. Watch his ears tonight.
1929 The University of Mississippi, where tonight's debate takes place, became the focus of world attention in 1962 when segregationists rioted in a failed attempt to stop a black student attending the institution. Welcoming a black presidential candidate here this evening, times have certainly changed.
AJUS08 tweets: It will be interesting to see how John McCain positions his decision to suspend his campaign to help with bail-out negotiations.
1923 So, McCain is going to turn up after all. A no-show would have angered many in this Republican state and could have backfired spectacularly, gifting Obama a 90-minute national TV platform. But will some voters feel like McCain had to be dragged here kicking and screaming, even though he insists he was trying to help save Wall Street from a financial Gotterdammerung?
1915 This is going to be a running commentary on the first US presidential debate between Republican candidate John McCain and his Democratic opponent Barack Obama, including insights from BBC North America editor Justin Webb, as well as a selection of your e-mails and the best of the blogs. You can send your e-mails here.
(BBC)
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