General Discussion

One of the reasons why I didn't bother watching.

Bush and Obama had terrible first debates on their second terms. Why? Because its choreographed that way for the incumbent. Debates are not about substance anymore and all about body language, staging, etc. Knowledge of a subject is important, but only to the point you seem credible. But the rest is all theatrics. The opponent could be completely right, but the performance determines everything, so you can be completely right and still lose the debate.

Since there is one more debate, that's the one you want to put the hammer to, as its the one everyone remembers. Non-incumbents have it harder as they have to dominate every debate (see Reagan and Clinton). I noted that some here said that Biden seemed "hoarse" but was normal after the debate, believe me, that was intentional. When he's next on that stage via debate, town hall, etc. he's going to dominate.

Just how the game is played. Has no one here been to any Toastmaster meetings? Its mostly about how to perform and strategize in a debate.