McCain, Obama Face Off Tonight

Barack Obama and John McCain will face off tonight in their third and final debate at Hofstra University.

I’m thankful this is the last presidential debate. The overly scripted formats and the candidates’ rehearsed answers have become increasingly boring.

But there may be some fireworks as McCain looks for an opening to bring up Bill Ayers in response to Obama’s schoolyard taunt to "say it to my face."

McCain told a St. Louis radio station:

I was astonished to hear him say that he was surprised for me to have the guts to do that. Because the fact is that the question didn’t come up in that fashion so--you know--I think he's probably ensured that it will come up this time.

With the economic crisis crowding out other issues and a new CBS News/New York Times poll showing Obama with a 14-point national lead among likely voters, McCain is running out of time.

The poll also found some respondents are concerned about Obama’s past associations with Ayers (nine percent) and Rev. Jeremiah Wright (11 percent).

So tonight, McCain will try to teach undecided voters the ABCs – ACORN, Bill Ayers and Clergyman.