The Official 3rd Presidential Debate Thread

[Tender Branson]

Topic: Foreign policy
Air Time: 9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida
Sponsor: Commission on Presidential Debates
Participants: President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney
Moderator: Bob Schieffer (Host of Face the Nation on CBS)

The format for the debate will be identical to the first presidential debate and will focus on foreign policy.

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Please sticky !

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Good night and see you in about 6 hours ...

[Joe Biden 2020]

Actually, the candidates will be seated together like the Vice Presidential Debate.  There won't be two podiums.

[Eraserhead]

Actually, the candidates will be seated together like the Vice Presidential Debate.  There won't be two podiums.

Where did you hear that?

[Joe Biden 2020]

Actually, the candidates will be seated together like the Vice Presidential Debate.  There won't be two podiums.

Where did you hear that?

I saw the stage on CNN this morning.  The journalist that was reporting on it said as much, as well.

[Eraserhead]

Actually, the candidates will be seated together like the Vice Presidential Debate.  There won't be two podiums.

Where did you hear that?

I saw the stage on CNN this morning.  The journalist that was reporting on it said as much, as well.

Interesting. I wasn't expecting that.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Actually, the candidates will be seated together like the Vice Presidential Debate.  There won't be two podiums.

Where did you hear that?

I saw the stage on CNN this morning.  The journalist that was reporting on it said as much, as well.

Interesting. I wasn't expecting that.

Believe me, I was looking hard for a couple podiums, but all I saw was that horseshoe table.

[Likely Voter]

There will be 6 15-minute sections. Here are the topic areas from the moderator

America's role in the world
Our longest war - Afghanistan and Pakistan
Red Lines - Israel and Iran
The Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism - I
The Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism - II
The Rise of China and Tomorrow's World

[Lief 🗽]

What a stupid list. There's a lot more to foreign policy than the Middle East.

[Likely Voter]

I agree it is a bad list. While I'm assuming North Africa is being lumped in with Middle East but yes 4 out of 6 segments of the debate will be about US/Muslim Countries/National Security. 1 segment will be China. That leaves 1 out of 6 segments to cover:
Free Trade
Climate Change Treaties
Expanding NATO
Relation to EU
Expanding NAFTA
Mexico and Immigration
The Narco War in Mexico/Columbia/South America
Law of the Seas Treaty (which is actually a really big deal currently being negotiated)
Cuba

If you asked Hillary Clinton how much of her job involves US/Muslim Country relations, it would not be 2/3s of her job. Probably 1/3 at most. But wherever someone is firing an AK-47 becomes the bright shiny object.

[Knives]

I know what the first question will be.

"America prides itself on being a leader of the world, how can we call ourselves leaders, when we faked the Moon Landing? " John Wang, Undecided Voter (FL)

[Eraserhead]

Intrade thinks Obama will win the post-debate CNN Poll:

Barack Obama to win the third Presidential debate (according to CNN poll)

67.0%
CHANCE

Mitt Romney to win the third Presidential debate (according to CNN poll)

34.4%
CHANCE

[Lief 🗽]

Here's a handy translation of tonight's debate topics:

1) America: Great Country or Greatest Country?
2) Muslim Rage
3) Israel: Great Country or Greatest Country?
4) Muslim Rage
5) Muslim Rage
6) Yellow Terror

[Northeast Rep Snowball]

Here's a handy translation of tonight's debate topics:

1) America: Great Country or Greatest Country?

3) Israel: Great Country or Greatest Country?

The right answer is that they are both the greatest country, but said so all of the idiots don't realize that you said that

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

No Europe or Latin America? Huh.

[You kip if you want to...]

"I killed Bin Laden and Europe hates you Mitt."

[Spanish Moss]

I know what the first question will be.

"America prides itself on being a leader of the world, how can we call ourselves leaders, when we faked the Moon Landing? " John Wang, Undecided Voter (FL)

Hahahahaha very nice.

[Spanish Moss]

Intrade thinks Obama will win the post-debate CNN Poll:

Barack Obama to win the third Presidential debate (according to CNN poll)

67.0%
CHANCE

Mitt Romney to win the third Presidential debate (according to CNN poll)

34.4%
CHANCE

Considering those who are paid to predict the outcome of a sporting event are right less than 50% of the time (meaning a quarter could do their job better), I find any predictions in terms of a debate highly suspect.  I have no expectations, although after Big Bird and binders full of women, I'm hoping for something meme-able up through Nov 6.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

So who else is going to take the plunge with me and put their final map tonight right after the debate? 

[Joe Biden 2020]

What effect will tonight's debate have on the race?  It is competing with Monday Night Football and Game 7 of the National League Championship Series.  How many people will actually choose to watch politics?

[Eraserhead]

So who else is going to take the plunge with me and put their final map tonight right after the debate? 

Not me. lol. I probably won't have a final map done until the day before the election.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Can't we have a debate on social issues now. There have been plenty of economic and foreign policy questions this season. Just two questions on social issues. Plus why can't we have a conservative leaning moderator? All four of these folks are known Obama sycophants.

[Donerail]

Can't we have a debate on social issues now. There have been plenty of economic and foreign policy questions this season. Just two questions on social issues.

Because debates are designed to emphasize the differences between candidates, not their similarities.

[Eraserhead]

A debate on social issues would have been nice. It also probably would have helped Obama out a bit.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Yeah I would've actually enjoyed more focus on social issues than we've gotten.

[Negusa Nagast 🚀]

Can't we have a debate on social issues now. There have been plenty of economic and foreign policy questions this season. Just two questions on social issues. Plus why can't we have a conservative leaning moderator? All four of these folks are known Obama sycophants.

You realize that a debate on social issues would cripple the Republican candidate, right?