Tonight's Debate Drinking Game, along with some pre game and superficial debate analysis

Expectations are low, low, low for McCain right now. Yet the spread's still close, with a few polls showing a big move towards Obama.

That bodes well for McCain. All he's gotta' do is show up and not fall asleep, and he'll exceed expectations. That should slow Obama's momentum.

McCain seen as holding his own in the debate will be a victory in the media, and would probably really stunt Obama's momentum.

McCain doing really well will send it back to a dead heat.

Obama has a tough task ahead. He's gotta' keep his usual cool without seeming aloof AND make McCain lose it. TV is an emotional medium. Tone is the key. You have to show enough emotion so people feel you, without going all Howard Dean on it.

Ok. So the drinking game is.

1) If McCain falls asleep (or the opposite, and goes all Dean on everone) take a really big drink.

2) If Obama gets to the point before a long disclaimer, take a really big drink.

Tonight wouldn't normally be make or break for either side. But things are heated right now, in the beltway, mainstreet and the 'hood.

Obama has the opportunity to leave McCain in the dust. And McCain always has the opportunity to turn into dust. I'll be one of the over 80 million people watching, fo sho.

*Prediction: McCain tries to tie Obama to Bush on bailout. That's some dialectic, diabolical shit.