8 Questions About the Debates

Still, mistakes, missteps or signs of tentativeness on those issues will be judged harshly.

Stylistically, each has vulnerabilities. McCain had a fine performance last month at pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in California. He was relaxed, incisive, crisp and self-deprecating. In the past week, as he has tried to respond to the financial crisis, he has been abrupt, angry and impetuous. Voters watching the debates will be taking cues not only from what he says but from how he says it.

Obama's style carries the risk of making him appear aloof and cerebral. "He must avoid the Dukakis trap, responding with cool erudition when passion is called for," said Democratic strategist Matt Bennett. "And he must constantly keep the focus on the voters -- 'your future, your country' -- and not on him." Republican strategist Todd Harris said Obama "needs to take some 'feel your pain' lessons from Bill Clinton."

Whom exactly should Obama and McCain be thinking about when they answer questions?

7. There are several target audiences. One is independents, who continue to split their votes and appear to be having trouble making up their minds. In some polls, Obama is winning them; in others, McCain.

White working-class voters have been a principal target all year, in part because of questions about Obama's ability to connect with them. Polls show that he is seen as the candidate best able to deal with the economy, which should make him more attractive to these voters, but McCain appeals to them as well.

Officials in both campaigns say more women than men are undecided. Obama polls higher among women than McCain, but both candidates know they've got to connect better.

Another target is those voters who are turned off by partisanship in Washington. McCain's reaction to the financial crisis hit on the theme of finding agreement across party lines. He'll sound that theme again and again in the debates. But so will Obama, and their discussions of who is better equipped to end partisan gridlock could be among the most pointed of the debates.

Finally, at a time when the economy teeters on the brink, McCain and Obama should have their focus fixed firmly on the middle class, voters who are hit hard by rising prices and now must worry about what modest retirement savings they've been able to accumulate.

Looking ahead to the vice presidential debate, can Sarah Palin make a virtue of her inexperience?

8. This will be one of the most closely watched vice presidential debates in history, thanks to Palin. She has been preparing, visiting with world leaders and studying briefing books. But she has never been under the kind of pressure she'll feel next Thursday in St. Louis.

There is no way to make a virtue out of inexperience. Palin's media interviews continue to raise questions about her. But strategists see offsets to the reality that she has just taken her first steps onto the national stage. One is her vibrancy -- Palin's personality has been a plus with many voters. If she can show that next week, she'll benefit.

Another is the outsider card. Obama played it in the early stages of his campaign, saying he hadn't been in Washington very long, though long enough to know that something needed to change. Palin can argue the same thing.

"Palin can use her inexperience as a shield if she establishes herself as an informed outsider," said Democratic strategist Tad Devine.

But another Democrat, former John Edwards aide Jennifer Palmieri, said that, given the current economic crisis, "the public is less likely to find inexperience as virtuous as they did a couple of weeks ago."

Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. won't lose the experience battle, but he has other demons to fear. His ego and verbosity could neutralize what should be natural advantages against Palin. Nor can he afford to look like a bully. But the real problem may be that he will try to score points with insiders and experts, while Palin will be looking to connect with average voters.