McCain Palin supporters don't care much about the economy. They care about abortion and gay marriage and opposing Obama. They care about asserting their moral superiority, which ironically isn't so moral or superior. McCain has promised that he would attack Obama at the debate.
I think McCain will bring up Ayers at the debate. But he won't bring it up the way his supporters want him to -- that Obama has terrorist instincts. Instead McCain is likely to use Ayers to say that Obama has questionable judgment. He'll use it to try and cast doubt on Obama's character.
But polls and analysts say McCain needs to talk about the economy.
CNN: "I think what he has to to do is talk about the issues. ... He's got to talk about his economic plan," CNN senior political analyst Gloria Borger said. "Yes, he's got to convince voters that he's got the judgment to be president, but he's also got to convince voters to like him."
The third and final debate, taking place at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, at 9 p.m. ET, may be the last time the Republican presidential candidate may be able turn the race to his favor before Election Day, now less than three weeks away.
The 90-minute face-off, which will air on CNN and CNN.com, will undoubtedly focus on the economic crisis plaguing the country.
CNN political editor Mark Preston said the debate is will likely be McCain's "last chance to reach tens of millions of people with his vision for America."
"He needs a game-changer," Preston said.
