US Presidential Debates

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) discuss faith, values and leadership.

At the University of Mississippi-Oxford, candidates John McCain (R) and Barack Obama (D) discuss issues; Jim Lehrer moderates. Site: University of Mississippi Topic: Foreign Policy & National Security Moderator: Jim Lehrer Staging: Podium debate Answer Format: The debate will be broken into nine, 9-minute segments. The moderator will introduce a topic and allow each candidate 2 minutes to comment. After these initial answers, the moderator will facilitate an open discussion of the topic for the remaining 5 minutes, ensuring that both candidates receive an equal amount of time to comment

The eyes of the world were on Washington University Oct. 2 as it hosted the most anticipated vice presidential debate in U.S. history. Millions in the United States and around the world watched as Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska and Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware squared off on stage at the Field House in the University's Athletic Complex. Site: Washington University (St. Louis) Moderator: Gwen Ifill Staging/Answer Format: Debate will consist of both foreign and domestic policy questions asked by the moderator. Format will be similar to the presidential debates.

Senators McCain and Obama meet at Belmont University in a town hall setting for the second of the 2008 presidential debates. Moderated by Tom Brokaw. Site: Belmont University Moderator: Tom Brokaw Staging: Town Hall debate Format: The moderator will call on members of the audience (and draw questions from the internet). Each candidate will have 2 minutes to respond to each question. Following those initial answers, the moderator will invite the candidates to respond to the previous answers, for a total of 1 minute, ensuring that both candidates receive an equal amount of time to comment. In the spirit of the Town Hall, all questions will come from the audience (or internet), and not the moderator.

Presidential debate with domestic policy focus, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY Site: Hofstra University Topic: Domestic and Economic Issues Moderator: Bob Schieffer Staging: Candidates will be seated at a table Answer Format: Same as First Presidential Debate Closing Statements: At the end of this debate (only) each candidate shall have the opportunity for a 90 second closing statement.