The New York Times has a nice piece today, detailing the likely components of tonight's debate. Both President Obama and Mitt Romney are aiming to draw first blood and set up a narrative that will carry them for the next four weeks. Both candidates have been accused of avoiding specificity in regards to their objectives, and tonight's proceedings will attempt to answer those questions. Unfortunately, those answers will not involve gun control, as both candidates have successfully avoided this topic like the plague.
Strategically, it’s the smart move, as neither guy wants to alienate potential voters wrestling with such a hot-button issue. That being said, considering that this debate takes place in Denver, their level of avoidance borders on cowardice. The possibility exists that a change of heart on the subject may occur, but based on prior rhetoric, that seems unlikely.
