POLITICS: It's on

THE DEBATE: Round 1 Foreign Policy & National Security

McCain: 72 years old. AZ Senator (R)

Strengths- National Security is his knockout punch. Serving in the army and former POW, McCain knows he has the edge on national security issues. In a time of terrorism and war, he hopes to win over voters with his war experiences and tactics. 

Weaknesses- The perception of his age has hurt McCain in some respects. Many believe he is representative of yesterday's policies, not tomorrow's hopes. Also, the ties to Bush and the Iraq War may backfire on his war experience. 

vs.

Obama: 47 years old. IL Senator (D)

Strengths- Charisma has attached his face to hope and change. His former law background has given him the smarts to speak of foreign and domestic policies. The knockout punch will be that he voted against the war, and that he represents new politics of foreign policy rather than hardline war policies.

Weaknesses- Inexperience. Obama hasn't been able to articulate plans to create change and has struggled in former debates. Obama has no national security experience, which will surely be an easy target for McCain.

UPDATE: McCain will participate in the debate.  The debate will start at 9:00 P.M.