On the Chris Matthews show

[my3boyz]

a reporter said that the Obama campaign was worried about having a domestic policy debate in Mississippi so they changed it to foreign policy as the first debate. Not sure if it is a good idea to have foreign policy first? It is McCain's strength according to the public/media. Wouldn't it be better for Obama to knock it out of the park with economic issues in the first debate? Or would it be better to have the debate on his supposed area of strength closer to the election? I say supposed area of strength because supposedly the polls have tightened and they are almost tied on the economy.

[darius15]

1. Obama isn't weak on foreign policy

McCain isn't either, but Obama will do just fine.

[my3boyz]

3. I don't think Obama is weak on it either but it seems the public

and the media thinks he is weak on it. I can just see the media spinning it as McCain crushing Obama in the first debate.

[MarianJack]

4. And so...

...the public will get a big surprise when they see Obama's grip of foreign policy.

In 1976, I thought that Jimmy Carter wrapped the election up when he ran away with the foreign policy debate. He was also helped by a BIG Ford gaffe, but he was winning anyway.

Barack will show stregnth in an area that the public perceives as a weakness. This is a good thing.

PEACE!

[berni_mccoy]

2. He'll get a chance to show how strong he is on Foreign Policy in a very Red state

Those people there don't care about Domestic Policy even though it affects them far more directly.

[julialnyc]

5. I actually thin it is more important to finish strong

Having the domestic policy debate last is as good thing in my opinion. The news cycle has a very short memory (look at the advantage the Republicans had having their debate second) and I think the last thing will leave the most lasting impression.....

That being said, I think that Obama will do just fine on foreign policy too

[ncteechur]

6. I absolutely think McCain is not strong in foreign policy. He doesn't understand

the complexities of foreign policy beyond his 3-word answer or bombing Iran. It all depends on the questions.

[Overseas]

7. I think Obama is much better than McBombBomb on foreign policy.

Although depending on the moderator, they may try to paint him as too conciliatory. But he will be ready with the proper replies about our nation's proud history of productive negotiations, and the importance of having well respected and resourced intelligence services.

He may talk about how an Obama administration won't be like Bush McCain. You won't be like Dick Cheney, dropping by the CIA and telling them what to write in their reports. You will deal with facts as they are and value accurate intelligence.

ETC ETC.

Also, domestic policies like tax cuts for the super rich do affect our foreign policy because we need to borrow from the People's Republic of China to finance them.

[xiamiam]

8. Obama is better on any subject than McCain...I'm not worried...nt

[jbnow]

9. Obama had offered to do a town hall on 4th of July

with McCain and he wanted it to be about foreign policy.
McCain said no to that. (I think he said no one would watch it that day)

Obama REALLY wants to debate McCain on foreign policy.

I hear the debates are going to be different...maybe not all of them but the one done by CBS was described this way (per my memory). A question will be asked in each of the (8?) segments. They both answer but then they will debate it between themselves for (??) minutes. Don't remember how many they said.
So they will be able to question each other! Gee, I hope Obama doesn't make him mad.

If anyone can describe that better please do