Democrat Barack Obama studied and practiced privately with aides in a Florida hotel Tuesday in the first of three days of intense preparations for his Friday foreign-policy debate with GOP rival John McCain.
Debates are one of the few times when presidential campaigns loudly tout the skills of their opponent over their own candidate’s abilities.
“Have no doubt about the capabilities of Sen. Obama. He’s very, very good,” McCain said. “He was able to defeat Sen. Hillary Clinton, who, as we all know, is very accomplished. . . . These will be tough debates.”
Obama spokesman Bill Burton delivered similar compliments right back at McCain, even less subtly. “Given his decades in Washington, John McCain literally has more experience debating than anyone who has ever run for president,” Burton said. “If he can’t show the skills he’s acquired debating foreign policy, it will be a massive disappointment.”
McCain is showing more confidence with a full schedule this week that leaves less time for preparations. Associated Press
