Candidates Play Expectations Game Ahead of Debate

With three days to go until the first general election debate, each presidential candidate is predicting a strong showing for his opponent — a sign the campaigns are trying to manage expectations for the event. Barack Obama’s campaign is spreading the word that John McCain enters this Friday’s match-up with a “home court advantage,” since foreign policy, considered McCain’s strong suit, is the topic of the night. Likewise, John McCain said Tuesday that Obama is “very, very good” when it comes to debates, stressing his opponent’s skills as an orator in making the case that Friday’s duel at the University of Mississippi will be no cakewalk. Even as the candidates lower the bar for themselves, they nevertheless are taking care to prep for the potentially pivotal encounter. The candidates have so far held a couple joint appearances, but neither was a traditional debate. Friday will be their first opportunity to challenge each other head on ... (link)