65 million people watched the first debate in 2004

[cali]

I think we can safely assume even more than that will watch tonight. There's a lot riding on this debate- more for McCain than Obama. How will he handle the pressure?

[justinrr1]

1. Its possible

but I dont see getting much more than that on a Friday night. Not sure why they scheduled a debate for Friday. Maybe Mccain doesnt want people to watch him unless they are liquored up from happy hour.

[scheming daemons]

2. Not in Western PA... it's high school football night.....

Friday is a bad night for ratings.

I'll watch a rerun of the debate at midnight.

[karynnj]

3. I watched that debate at a house party found on the K/E website

The surprise for me after responding yes where only the town was listed was that it was one block away, I knew the couple hosting it and their daughter baby sat for me years ago. (After the debate party, my youngest babysat for her former babysitter many times.)

Everyone watched is silence, other than applause for Kerry responses Half way through, one neighbor said as if shocked, "They are never going to be able to spin this." I really hope that Obama similarly blows this out of the park. That plus all the nonsense this week would really substantially put Obama in the lead.

[tritsofme]

4. Its a Friday night.

Between high school football and folks with active social calendars, it would be quite a feat to match the 2004 number.