I'll be blogging tonight right after the debate with initial impressions, but here are a few things to watch for:

1.  If Obama and McCain are on the same stage, behind the same podium, wearing the same power red tie, do they look equally as presidential?

2.  Can McCain deliver a knockout blow on foreign policy, that is, on his presumed strong point?  If all McCain does is hold his own, is that enough?

3.  Which of the candidates has the better "You're no Jack Kennedy"/"There you go again"/I paid for that microphone" soundbite line of the night?

4.  Of course, which candidate makes the most major gaffe.

My feeling is that McCain has to score big tonight to reverse the bad results of the past two weeks.  If he doesn't, this election could be over.  You have to wonder whether his activities of the past few days seriously reduced his debate preparation time.