Early Voting: October 20-October 31, 2008
2008 debates: There will be three presidential debates in 2008 and one vice presidential debate, all sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates. The commission, in collaboration with the two major political parties, chooses the dates, location, formats and moderators for each event.
First presidential debate
When: Friday, September 26, 9 p.m. ET
Where: University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi
The candidates will sit with moderator Jim Lehrer at a table. Lehrer will introduce foreign policy issues on which each candidate will comment, and there may be direct exchanges between the candidates.
Vice presidential debate
When: Thursday, October 2, 9 p.m. ET
Where: Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
Gwen Ifill will moderate a debate between the vice presidential candidates covering foreign and domestic topics, using a similar format to the first presidential debate.
Second presidential debate
When: Tuesday, October 7, 9 p.m. ET
Where: Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee
This debate will be a town hall meeting, where moderator Tom Brokaw will supply the candidates with questions provided by undecided voters from the Nashville area as well as ones submitted via Internet.
Third presidential debate
When: Wednesday, October 15, 9 p.m. ET
Where: Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
Bob Schieffer will sit down with the candidates as moderator in a domestic policy debate similar in format to the first presidential debate. The candidates will deliver closing statements at the end of this final presidential debate.
