The Gloves Are Off

It appears that tonight is the night when both candidates start swinging for a knockout. Although John McCain and Barack Obama started their campaigns with pledges to stick to the issues and avoid mudslinging, as the clock winds down, the attacks grow more viscous. As a New York Times article published yesterday states, "Mr. McCain made clear on Monday that he wanted to make the final month of the race a referendum on Mr. Obama’s character, background and leadership — a polite way of saying he intends to attack him on all fronts and create or reinforce doubts about him among as many voters as possible." His most recent jabs have included remarks about Obama's association with William Ayers and the pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. A speaker at a party event also "referred to the Democratic candidate as “Barack Hussein Obama.”"
However, the Obama campaign hasn't sat idly by and watched. They responded by releasing a thirteen minute video highlighting McCain's connection to the Keating Five scandal in 1980. With this rebuttal, Obama has reassured supporters that he has what it takes to fight back.
The recent, more aggressive strategies taken by both parties prove that at tonight's debate, both candidates will be on the offensive. However, the style of the debate may hamper what would otherwise be a more viscous rendezvous. Since the nominees will take questions directly from voters, they will have fewer chances to claw at each others' throats. Although Palin advised her running mate to "take the gloves off," McCain, along with Senator Obama, might have to wait a little longer.