I had a fair amount of trouble tracking down the 2008 Presidential debate schedule and the networks the debates were airing on, so I thought I would consolidate my information here for the benefit of those of my readers who plan to watch the debates. I highly recommend watching the debates, by the way, since they are one of the few times we get to see politicians exactly as they are, composing off-the-cuff answers to questions and engaging with their opponents directly.

Also, you can invent some great drinking games to go with the debates. Although if you go with an “every time McCain tells a blatant lie,” I would have a doctor standing by in case of alcohol poisoning, if I were you.

So, here we go:

• 26 September, 8:00pm (PBS): domestic policy debate, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi. (Wanna go in person?)
• 2 October, 8:00pm (PBS): Vice-Presidential debate, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. (Wanna go in person?)
• 7 October, 8:00pm (NBC): town hall format debate, Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee. (Wanna go in person?)
• 15 October, 9:00pm (CBS): foreign policy debate, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York. (Wanna go in person?)

In addition to the networks listed as the moderators/hosts, the major networks (ABC, CNN, etc) will be getting rebroadcasting rights for the debates. There does seem to be a lack of consensus on starting time; some are going for 8:00, while others are pushing the debates back to 9:00. And, of course, for those with more patience, I’m sure clips and footage will be up on YouTube and the major networks in the days following.

I find that debates, much like concerts, are best enjoyed with a large group, as long as everyone settles down for the especially relevant bits. So, why not hold a debate party? That way you also have a reservoir of snacks to throw at the television when someone says something especially stupid.