Obama has spoken of such a “residual” force, without specifying where it would be based or how many troops it would include. Denis McDonough, who advises Obama on foreign policy, yesterday confirmed much of Zebari’s account of their conversation, saying that the two “discussed” where residual U.S. troops would be based and that “at least some of that force will have to be in Iraq.”

Which is the exact same thing that McCain said. This man is such a tool, and his handlers are as dumb as a box of nails, and only a third as useful. – Lorica

There will eventually be some, of course, and because both candidates will want to be seen to be doing things that have never been done before, maybe it’s not too much to hope that the format will be looser, and that we shall see more of a real debate instead of the “moderator as superstar” junque that we generally get.

Since for some reason (the self-deception that believes the lie, I suppose) Obama is perceived as not doing well when he ad libs, maybe it will turn out like 2000, when in the first debate with Gore, George W. Bush won merely by exceeding expectations. But who knows?

Then, too, I suspect TV will accentuate Obama’s positives (and better fashion sense) to the detriment of McCain (who, I noticed, actually was wearing a blue blazer in a recent photo op–good move there). It’s quite possible that people watching on TV will think Obama’s the winner, and those reading or listening on radio will think the reverse. Won’t be the first time.

He can’t duck debating McCain forever…and based upon what I’ve seen of him trying to ad lib, he won’t do well.