Let's be honest: The Dow dropped 500 pts. today. McCain can't win tonight.

[Pale Blue Dot]

He can go negative until he's blue in the face (and he will). He can talk about the surge working until the cows come home (and he will). He can talk about Obama's lack of experience (and he will). He can claim over and over that he's a maverick (and he will). However, THE ONLY THING that independent and undecided voters are going to care about tonight is the economy, and his record with regards to that is AWFUL.

There doesn't have to be a knockout blow tonight. Obama doesn't have to descend into the filth. All Obama has to do tonight is to continue his positive message and highlight McCain's record on the economy. And he will.

[ladjf]

1. I think you have summed the situation up very well.

[TexasObserver]

2. That's one reason I am glad it took a dive the last hour.

Now the -500 day is foremost, and McCain's attempt to sling mud will be even less attractive to the audience.

[Pale Blue Dot]

6. This was the worst possible news for McCain.

Unfortunately, it's also the worst possible news for everyone else.

[nyhuskyfan]

3. What are the two other big economic crises of the last 20 years?

S&L crisis - McCain front and center in the Keating 5
Enron Scandal - Phil Gramm snuck the loophole into regulation, and he's McCain's top economic advisor

[David__77]

4. It's a bad background for him, that's for sure.

The GOP is the ruling party after all. All his open talk about "turning the page on the economy" is very obsolescent seeming. Very out-of-touch.

[cali]

5. Huge opportunity for Obama tonight

ignore McCain and be the leader America is desperate for.