Things to watch for tonight:
1.) Will McCain project a sense of steadiness and cool control. His operatic campaign of the last two weeks has undercut this and he needs to undo the damage.
2.) Will Obama speak in the clear, direct sentences of man ready to be in command.
3.) Will McCain emerge from the debate with a clear and crisp position regarding what the Government’s best action should be on the fiscal crisis.
4.) Will Obama pass the toughness test needed in a Commander in Chief.
5.) After the debate, will the McCain “brand” as a different kind of Republican be veryvery clear. It is the key to McCain’s chances of surviving this tough Democratic year.