The Sunshine Empire

Tonight John McCain and Barack Obama will be facing off in the vaunted town hall format that was Bill Clinton’s gift to the world. The McCain camp has said it is on like Donkey Kong and Obama’s camp is saying “bring it.” For that reason it should be an interesting night. The media meme for the night is that McCain asked for this format and it’s what is his strong suit. I don’t think it’s as much of an advantage because it will put the tall young man next to the short old man and could provide the kind of damaging television image that doomed Nixon in his debate with John Kennedy. That being said I don’t expect McCain to do badly, but I do expect that he will attempt some zingers to overtake what is becoming an impressive lead for the Illinois Senator. On Electoral-vote.com’s big board both Florida and Virginia have gone from barely Dem to weak Dem, and mathematically Obama only need win one of the remaining toss up states to get to 270 in the Electoral College. The race will tighten up and it is important for Senator McCain to start bridging that gap tonight. After that it’s one more debate and just three weeks. The finish line approaches.