Quick 8: Things to Look for at the Final Debate

1. John McCain will bring up Ayres because he doesn't like to be called a sissy. Obama will brush it off as only he can and the debate will move on. It won't kill the issue for the die hard right wingers, but for those American's with brains that function normally, it will be as dead as McCain's campaign.
2. Debate moderator Bob Schieffer will also attempt to prove himself by asserting himself as much as possible, especially if he feels the candidates are out of line. He's familiar with the criticism of Ifill and Brokaw and will try to prevent the same criticism from coming his way. The problem? If he goes to far, he will be, rightfully, accused of inserting himself into the debate.
3. Expect the economy to dominate the debate again and expect McCain to try and paint the Democrats as the party that's close to Wall Street and opposed to regulation.
4. McCain will again refer to his ability to reach across the aisle in order to get things done. Does he really think that after the campaign he's run that if he pulls out the win in November the Democrats will be willing to work with him?
5. I expect Obama to hit McCain even harder on health care than he did in the last debate. Although I would prefer single payer, and mandatory coverage, I do like Obama's plan. It would be a monumental step forward for this country.
6. I think that can also expect Obama to be much more aggressive in defending his tax policy. The McCain camp, abetted by he said/he said reporting in the media, has been touting the lies about Obama's plan. Obama will detail his plan in easy to understand language and eviscerate the old guy on the issue.
7. McCain will tell at least 4 verifiable lies. At least.
8. Polling in the immediate aftermath, and in the days that follow, will show that Barack Obama has won. Again. The pundits will proclaim that the debate was a tie. Again. The opinion of the average American on the debate will not be swayed by the pundits idiocy. Again.