On Eve of Debate, Both Campaigns Hedge

  The University of Denver is abuzz this afternoon, making the final preparations for an exciting evening of debate. It's finally that time, the night of the first presidential debate, in which prospective candidates stand across from each other, look each other in the eye, and make their arguments to our nation as to why they should be elected the next president of the United States.  And after months of hard preparations, both sides (the important sides, whose candidates are allowed to debate) are pumped up and ready for action.

DU looking towards a Rocky Mounain Sunset yesterday evening

  Now, some do claim that Wednesday's debate at DU is going to to be a very difficult fight for the challenger, Mitt Romney.  Some such as his running mate, Paul Ryan.  "Look, President Obama is a very -- he's a very gifted speaker. The man's been on the national stage for many years. He's an experienced debater. He's done these kinds of debates before..." were his words to Chris Wallace on FOX Sunday.  But Ryan was quick to assure viewers that he was completely confident in the campaign's ability to win the election, despite possibly disappointing (but completely understandable)results against Obama tonight.

  Others are more concerned about the incumbent.  People like the incumbent, Barack Obama. '"Gov. Romney, he's a good debater," Obama continued. "I'm just OK."' were his words to voters on Sunday, taken from the Hill.  Of course, despite his performance tomorrow, his ideas will resound with the American people and he is sure to win.

  Jon Stewart is mostly concerned about the candidates' abilities to remain vertical and cognizant. He noted on the Daily Show Monday evening that the bar is so low for these candidates and their abilities to communicate that it seems "not coming off as a pompous wierdo" would be counted as a resounding victory for either campaign.

  With such dour expectations coming from both campaigns, what should the audience expect?  A poor showing?  Of course not.  Both candidates underwent debate prep this weekend.  Questions are known by the campaigns ahead of time, and both sides have a reasonable expectation of what their opponents' answers to those scripted questions will be.  Romney has even been practicing his "spontaneous" "zingers" since August.  With these candidates, it is quite possible that this will be the most polished debate in the last thirty years.  And it wont even matter.  In an election cycle where almost every voter knew who they're voting for yesterday, in which voters have been nauseated by policy since May, in which everyone knows that the results are scripted how much will the political games of tonight really impact the election?  My vote?  Not very much, as long as the candidates as capable of remaining upright of course.  What is this waste of prime time television even good for?

  Maybe America will get to learn a bit about Denver U.






  Side note (pun intended), check out the new poll on our sidebar. The idea for the question was stolen from FOX, credit where credit is due right?  I tried to cultivate a better variety of responses than they did though (the actual FOX poll seems to be a bit slanted), if you think I missed one let us know in the comments!