Both Candidates Face Likeability Challenge in Debate

Middle Tennesseans are gearing up to watch the back and forth between John McCain and Barack Obama at presidential debate parties.

Tennessean publisher emeritus John Seigenthaler will offer analysis and answer questions at Lipscomb University’s watching party. On the debate topic of foreign affairs, Seigenthaler says Barak Obama has the most to prove. But he points out that to attract undecided voters, it’s just as important for the candidates to be likeable. On that count, Seigenthaler says both men have barriers to overcome.

“Obama is very intellectual and sometimes intellectualizes too much. Everyone knows that Senator McCain has an explosive temper. We could very well find that either comes off less likeable and therefore loses the debate.”

Seigenthaler thinks McCain’s choice to briefly suspend his campaign was a political gamble that didn’t pay off. But he says a strong performance tonight could erase the damage done earlier in the week.

Vanderbilt, Volunteer State and Belmont University are also hosting on-campus watching parties. Music Row 4 McCain will gather at Sam’s Sports Bar in Hillsboro Village. And the Nashville Democratic party is having an event at its headquarters.