The timing was bad regarding the decision to change the first debate topic

[ellacott]

It was supposed to be about domestic policy but it's been changed to foreign policy.

***********
Ole Miss presidential debate topic changed to foreign policy
Candidates offer no explanation for late switch
By Zack McMillin (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Thursday, August 21, 2008

Whether it was John McCain's campaign pushing to switch the topic of the first presidential debate to foreign policy and national security or Barack Obama's campaign relishing the chance to go after McCain's perceived strength, the University of Mississippi's preparations for the Sept. 26 event received a curveball on Thursday.

For months, the Commission on Presidential Debates had assured Ole Miss that the focus of the debate at its Gertrude C. Ford Center would be on domestic issues. However, a joint announcement Thursday from the Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns said negotiations on the debates had resulted in a switch.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/aug/21/21debateWEB/

Ole Miss officials had tailored the campus's debate-oriented activities, including forums and seminars, around domestic issues, but Andy Mullins, executive assistant to the chancellor and the university's point man on the debates, said the university was first notified of the switch at 7:45 a.m. on Thursday.

"We aren't planning on changing any of our events," Mullins said. "Too late."

Domestic issues move to the subject of the final debate, on Oct. 15, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.

The second presidential debate, on Oct. 7 at Belmont University in Nashville, will be a town-hall style format with no set theme.

[slinkerwink]

1. that is GREAT news for obama!

Voters will likely remember the last debate, which will be focused on the economy, MORE than the first debate on foreign policy!

[central scrutinizer]

2. bad for who?

If the economy is the last topic and given the short memory of most voters, I would say that is a good thing for Obama

[BeyondGeography]

3. John McCain agrees with you...no FP crisis in the air for him to seize

Then again, the 26th is a long ways away...

[ellacott]

4. Maybe you guys are correct

I just thought since it's such a big story today that it would be a good idea to debate it now. It wouldn't give McCain a chance to go unchallenged for very long with the lies about his record. I thought that some people may make up their mind before the last debate.

Maybe the last debate will be a good reminder.