MU professor says tonight’s debate is important

Presidential candidates Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama will, indeed, debate tonight at the University of Mississippi .

McCain had questioned whether the debate should go on while talks take place in Washington about the financial crisis. It appeared the debate might have to be scrapped. McCain since has relented, traveling from Washington, D.C. to Memphis, Tennessee where he will drive to Oxford, Mississippi for the debate.

University of Missouri Communication professor Bill Benoit says the debate tonight could shift to consider economic questions even though it is slated to discuss foreign affairs. Benoit says debates are always important and these might be more important than ever, because the public doesn’t know the two candidates this year as well as it has in years past. Benoit says debates are very important to independent voters who often make up their minds after listening to debates.

Download/listen Brent Martin talks with MU Professor Bill Benoit (3:30 MP3)