Archive
The Debates
Thursday Night's SNL Special
--> The Post's Tom Shales reviews the special. Above, the 10-minute presidential debate spoof featuring...
Posted on October 10, 2008 at 09:03 AM ET | Comments (4)
A Timeless Debate Format? Or a Dated One?
Televised presidential debates are stuck in the 20th century.
Posted on October 8, 2008 at 10:18 AM ET | Comments (15)
Debate Watching with Gov. Palin
Updated 12:10 a.m. By Perry Bacon Jr. Aboard her campaign plane, after taking questions for...
Posted on October 7, 2008 at 10:04 PM ET | Comments (93)
Can McCain Change the Game?
The political oddsmakers have come to a near unanimous view that, barring unforeseen developments, McCain is on course to lose the election. McCain, therefore, needs an unforeseen development.
Posted on October 7, 2008 at 06:42 PM ET | Comments (131)
Brokaw's Private Obama Interview
Tom Brokaw, the moderator of tonight's presidential debate, has interviewed Barack Obama before.
Posted on October 7, 2008 at 05:47 PM ET | Comments (14)
Live Fact Checking Begins at 9
Please join the Fact Checker and Friends at 9 p.m. Eastern for live truth squadding...
Posted on October 7, 2008 at 05:00 PM ET | Comments (1)
Obama Team Ready for Mud
Barack Obama's advisers are usually cautious about managing expectations -- never predicting a landslide, always downplaying how well their candidate will do in the debates. But with just a few hours until the second presidential debate here on Tuesday night, some of them let a little confidence slip.
Posted on October 7, 2008 at 04:10 PM ET | Comments (14)
VP Debate Draws More Viewers Than Presidential Face-Off
By Lisa de Moraes Early ratings indicate that about one-third more people watched last night's...
Posted on October 3, 2008 at 01:34 PM ET | Comments (23)
Palin Web Ad Cites Thumbs Up From 'Famous Person'
The McCain campaign attributed a positive review of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's debate performance last night to a "Famous Person."
Posted on October 3, 2008 at 12:36 PM ET | Comments (28)
A Night with Three Victors
Both presidential candidates gained ground and moderator Gwen Ifill won points after almost all those tuning in said she had treated the rivals "fairly."
Posted on October 3, 2008 at 12:08 AM ET | Comments (112)
Alaskans Cheer and Jeer Their Home Town Guv
At the Bear Tooth Theater Grill in Anchorage, the debate didn't change many minds, accept among a handful of Democrats who said they were expecting Palin to fall on her face.
Posted on October 2, 2008 at 11:13 PM ET | Comments (26)
In Anchorage, Bear Tooth Theater Grill Awaits Debate
Supporters and opponents of the Alaska governor are bracing for what they anticipate will be a defining moment in the career of Sarah Palin.
Posted on October 2, 2008 at 08:48 PM ET | Comments (11)
Obama Will Watch Biden from a Michigan Sheraton
Sen. Barack Obama planned to watch the Palin-Biden debate from a Sheraton hotel in Lansing with aides.
Posted on October 2, 2008 at 07:54 PM ET | Comments (9)
McCain Previews His Own Debate, Coming Tuesday
McCain says Obama would raises taxes, grow the size of government and not work across the aisle.
Posted on October 2, 2008 at 07:19 PM ET | Comments (20)
Palin's High Stakes Night
Palin's performance on the stage at Washington University in St. Louis tonight likely will determine the Alaska governor's future.
Posted on October 2, 2008 at 02:22 PM ET | Comments (297)
Aides Promise an Aggressive Palin in VP Debate
Palin has spent the last two days preparing at John McCain's ranch complex in Sedona, Ariz.
Posted on October 1, 2008 at 05:04 PM ET | Comments (41)
Ifill's Book is no Secret
It's no secret that Gwen Ifill has been working on a book about the younger generation of black politicians.
Posted on October 1, 2008 at 12:20 PM ET | Comments (442)
Complete Footage: The First Presidential Debate
McCain and Obama debate on the economy and foreign policy in Oxford, Miss.
Posted on September 27, 2008 at 09:28 AM ET | Comments (32)
Obama Heads to Mississippi
Obama said that he was "optimistic" about a bailout deal, but that he would get out of the way of negotiators and head down for the now-confirmed debate.
Posted on September 26, 2008 at 12:14 PM ET | Comments (13)
Questions Linger Over McCain's Role in Stalled Bailout Talks
The objective evidence is that things got worse, not better, in Washington after McCain arrived.
Posted on September 26, 2008 at 11:52 AM ET | Comments (282)
McCain Says Yes to Debate in Miss.
McCain announced in a statement that he is resuming his campaign and will travel to Oxford, Miss., this afternoon to face Obama in a debate.
Posted on September 26, 2008 at 11:35 AM ET | Comments (327)
Will McCain Join Obama for Debate?
The fate of tonight's presidential debate in Oxford remains up in the air this morning, with no word from the campaign of Sen. John McCain about whether he intends to be there.
Posted on September 26, 2008 at 08:45 AM ET | Comments (93)
Presidential Debate Planners Move Forward
Ignoring the proposal from Sen. John McCain that Friday's scheduled presidential debate be postponed, the independent Commission on Presidential Debates announced Thursday that it is "moving forward with its plan for the first presidential debate at the University of Mississippi."
Posted on September 25, 2008 at 04:48 PM ET | Comments (100)
Obama: Debate Should Go On
Speaking to reporters at a hastily called news conference here, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said he would press for the Friday debate to go forward.
Posted on September 24, 2008 at 06:16 PM ET | Comments (548)
McCain's Aides Give the Tick Tock
Schmidt and Salter detail how McCain decided to make his campaign suspension announcement.
Posted on September 24, 2008 at 05:05 PM ET | Comments (389)
Post Poll Shows Challenge for McCain
The latest Washington Post-ABC News poll shows how the crisis in the financial sector may be reshaping the presidential race.
Posted on September 24, 2008 at 07:21 AM ET | Comments (469)
Seeking to Lower Debate Expectations, McCain Praises Obama's 'Eloquence'
Republican presidential nominee John McCain began playing down expectations for Friday night's first debate.
Posted on September 23, 2008 at 03:30 PM ET | Comments (223)
Biden's Debate Prep Partner: Gov. Granholm
Jennifer Granholm will help Joseph Biden prepare for the Oct. 2 vice presidential debate.
Posted on September 10, 2008 at 01:40 PM ET | Comments (47)
Fall Debate Schedule Announced
The Obama and McCain campaigns announced this morning that they will participate in the standard number of general election debates.
Posted on August 21, 2008 at 09:36 AM ET | Comments (10)
No Agreement on Obama-McCain Town Halls
By Juliet Eilperin PEMBERTON, N.J. -- Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) failed...
Posted on June 13, 2008 at 02:41 PM ET | Comments (32)
In The Spin Room, Talk Again Turns to Saturday Night
By Perry Bacon Jr. The two Democratic presidential campaigns don't agree on the skit that...
Posted on February 27, 2008 at 08:25 AM ET | Comments (39)
An Elegy, a Controversy, and the New Russian Leader
The 20th Democratic debate, part 2.
Posted on February 26, 2008 at 11:27 PM ET | Comments (52)
Of Pillows, Protectionism, and That SNL Parody
The 20th Democratic debate.
Posted on February 26, 2008 at 10:17 PM ET | Comments (62)
Saving the Best for Last
By Jonathan Weisman The debate in Austin veered from cordial to contentious, then back to...
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 10:02 PM ET | Comments (0)
Politeness Rules in Austin -- at First
AUSTIN -- With Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton hoping for a game-changing moment, tonight's CNN-Univision debate is serving as an elusive target. --Jonathan Weisman
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 09:10 PM ET | Comments (0)
Candidates Made Each Other's Points
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Posted on January 31, 2008 at 10:06 PM ET | Comments (14)
Elbows Get Sharper as Debate Wears On
By Alec MacGillis LOS ANGELES -- Well, that didn't take long. After opening up the...
Posted on January 31, 2008 at 09:30 PM ET | Comments (8)
Romney Cast as Foil for Easy Laughs
By Alec MacGillis LOS ANGELES -- Both Democratic candidates seem eager to take on Mitt...
Posted on January 31, 2008 at 09:18 PM ET | Comments (20)
Point Scoring on Immigration
By Alec MacGillis LOS ANGELES -- A big guffaw went up in the huge press...
Posted on January 31, 2008 at 09:03 PM ET | Comments (5)
Tax Rates, Past and Future
By Alec MacGillis LOS ANGELES -- One of Democrats' concerns about Barack Obama early on...
Posted on January 31, 2008 at 08:52 PM ET | Comments (0)
Stakes High Going into Hollywood Democratic Debate
By Anne E. Kornblut Sen. Barack Obama described the Democratic contest as "the past versus...
Posted on January 31, 2008 at 08:45 PM ET | Comments (1)
Exploring Healthcare Differences Again
By Alec MacGillis LOS ANGELES -- It took a while during the back and forth...
Posted on January 31, 2008 at 08:35 PM ET | Comments (3)
Obama: One of Us Will Be President
By Alec MacGillis LOS ANGELES -- It's on. Barack Obama reached out to Hillary Clinton...
Posted on January 31, 2008 at 08:18 PM ET | Comments (7)
Democratic Candidates, Congressional Leaders Differ on Economy
While Democratic presidential candidates pound President Bush's economic policies on the campaign trail, their party's Congressional leaders head to the White House to hammer out a stimulus package. Top Democratic lawmakers, and Bush, agree that it is in their interest to forge a deal, instead of remaining in stalemate and risking recession.
Posted on January 22, 2008 at 07:20 AM ET | Comments (0)
Distinctions With a Difference in Nevada
The top three Democrats managed to be both civil and pointed in a two-hour discussion that proved meatier and more accessible than many of the public forums that preceded it. Seated around a table, rather than standing, the principal survivors of Iowa and New Hampshire were determined to give no ground. --Peter Slevin
Posted on January 16, 2008 at 12:26 AM ET | Comments (29)
Candidates Differ on Energy Policy
Prompted to discuss energy policy and nuclear power -- key issues to a range of political constituencies -- the three Democratic candidates took different tacks. --Peter Slevin
Posted on January 15, 2008 at 11:16 PM ET | Comments (10)
Obama Addresses E-Mail Lies
Before turning to questions about the economy, NBC anchor Brian Williams asked Illinois Sen. Barack Obama about several virally circulating e-mails that falsely asserted that Obama is secretly a Muslim, took the oath of office on a Koran instead of a Bible, and refuses to say the pledge of allegiance. --Peter Slevin
Posted on January 15, 2008 at 10:34 PM ET | Comments (31)
Race Returns as Topic in Nevada Debate
By Peter Slevin LAS VEGAS -- Outside among the palm trees, the chanting is more...
Posted on January 15, 2008 at 09:25 PM ET | Comments (0)
The Fact Checker, Live
Michael Dobbs, Glenn Kessler, and Alice Crites will be fact checking the Democratic presidential primary...
Posted on January 15, 2008 at 08:32 PM ET | Comments (0)
Fact Checking the N.H. Debates in Real Time
Fact-checking the debates in real time.
Posted on January 5, 2008 at 07:35 PM ET | Comments (0)
Stakes High Going into Final Democratic Debate
Democrats will debate in Des Moines this afternoon, and this time it could be for all the marbles. --Shailagh Murray
Posted on December 13, 2007 at 10:55 AM ET | Comments (4)
At GOP Debate, Talk Turns Away from Top Issues
Moderator bars talk of the war. --Jennifer Agiesta
Posted on December 12, 2007 at 05:54 PM ET | Comments (0)
For Republicans, Debate is a Civil Affair
In last GOP debate before Iowa caucuses, Republicans avoid fireworks. -- By Michael D. Shear and Dan Balz
Posted on December 12, 2007 at 05:00 PM ET | Comments (0)
Coming Soon, an End to Debate Season in Iowa
The GOP field holds its final debate in Iowa today. --Michael D. Shear
Posted on December 12, 2007 at 11:32 AM ET | Comments (3)
In GOP Debate, It's Clinton By a Mile
New York Senator is Topic A at Republican gathering. -- Michael D. Shear
Posted on October 22, 2007 at 08:33 AM ET | Comments (30)
A Pioneer in the Next Brave New MTV World
John Edwards was the first candidate to participate in MTV's candidate debates.
Posted on September 27, 2007 at 08:00 PM ET | Comments (2)
Democrats Prepare for Granite State Debate
Democratic presidential candidates are preparing for their next debate tonight.
Posted on September 26, 2007 at 02:29 PM ET | Comments (0)
You Knew it Was Coming: First IM Forums on Tap
The list of "firsts" in presidential forums and debates just keeps on growing, thanks...
Posted on August 23, 2007 at 12:00 AM ET | Comments (0)
Obama Will Skip Debates. Will Anyone Else?
DES MOINES -- Now that Sen. Barack Obama has become the first Democratic presidential candidate...
Posted on August 18, 2007 at 05:00 PM ET | Comments (32)
The GOP YouTube Debate Is Back On
This just in: The Republican CNN/YouTube debate, in limbo for the past few weeks,...
Posted on August 12, 2007 at 09:23 PM ET | Comments (101)
South Carolina GOP Makes it Official
Decision to move primary to Jan. 19 could scramble campaign calendar.
Posted on August 9, 2007 at 11:39 AM ET | Comments (0)
Gay Issues Forum Is a First
Six of the Democratic contenders will gather in Los Angeles for Human Rights Campaign/LOGO event.
Posted on August 9, 2007 at 09:15 AM ET | Comments (0)
Debate Opens Elimination Round for GOP
Sunday's debate could be the beginning of the end for some of the Republicans...
Posted on August 6, 2007 at 09:44 AM ET | Comments (12)
Coming Soon: An Online Debate
Slate, Huffington Post and Yahoo Will Be Sponsors.
Posted on August 2, 2007 at 03:16 PM ET | Comments (2)
More GOPers Join YouTube Debate
Tommy Thompson and Mike Huckabee latest to sign on.
Posted on July 31, 2007 at 11:19 AM ET | Comments (0)
CNN Weighs Delay Of YouTube Debate
The GOP version of the CNN/YouTube debate is still scheduled for Sept. 17, but may...
Posted on July 30, 2007 at 04:56 PM ET | Comments (0)
But Don't Ask Him on YouTube...
Four days after the Democratic debate in Charleston, S.C,. more than 400 questions directed...
Posted on July 26, 2007 at 07:46 PM ET | Comments (68)
And This Round Goes To...
CHARLESTON, S.C.--Monday's CNN/YouTube debate in Charleston was the best of the campaign season, and...
Posted on July 24, 2007 at 12:20 PM ET | Comments (58)
Stumbling Over Dictators
Barack Obama and John Edwards didn't make any friends in South Florida last night.
Posted on July 24, 2007 at 11:15 AM ET | Comments (9)
Obama Girl Reviews the Debate
CHARLESTON, S.C.-- It's 2:10 a.m., and we're sad to report, we'd just left the swank,...
Posted on July 24, 2007 at 07:58 AM ET | Comments (2)
At Least There Wasn't Cleavage
Former Sen. John Edwards praised the Clintons during Monday night's debate, but he called the...
Posted on July 24, 2007 at 07:50 AM ET | Comments (16)
