Here's McCain's challenge in the debate which is now just 10 minutes away. This needs to be a game-changer. Only one presidential candidate in the history of polling data has been able to covercome a significant deficit within a few weeks of an election. That person was Ronald Reagan in 1980 who was down by 7 points two weeks out.
Recent polls show Obama with a 9 point lead this week.
The other number working against McCain is 733. That's the number of points the Dow dropped again today. The failing economy has been an anchor to voters' spirits and McCain's numbers. He needs to find a way to get Obama to blow up tonight.

Join us in our discussion thread on tonight's debate. Jim Sweeney and Pete Golis also will be contributing. To get there, click here.

- Paul Gullixson