Barring a knock-out blow in the St Louis debate next week, the contest will probably remain too close to call right up to November 7th.

ECONOMIST: Round two to Bush��but only on points

Speaking during a television debate during the Irish Presidential contest last year Mr McGuinness described the Enniskillen bomb as atrocious and said he felt ashamed when such incidents were carried out in the name of Irish republicanism.

BBC: Hundreds attend Enniskillen Poppy Day bomb services

Thus far, the debate has been a closely fought contest, with the Pro side holding a slim advantage.

ECONOMIST: The Economist debate series: Global energy crisis: The Moderator's rebuttal statement | The

The body language contest in the second debate was won by Barack Obama, but again, not by much.

FORBES: The Body Language Winner of the Third Presidential Debate

Remember that 1960 election, where there was no contest as to who won the debate?

FORBES: Seduction Of The Anecdote: 8 Steps To Trust Your Gut, Presidential Debates 2012 Edition

One reason Kerry has not been able to translate his debate showing into a lead in the popularity contest could be that voters think he is too liberal.

CNN: Poll: Kerry loses ground to Bush

Last week, he ducked the contest's first televised public debate.

ECONOMIST: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Ordinarily, debate and voting on an amendment might take two legislative days, but under the rules of the reconciliation bill the senators were to dispatch the amendments one after another, as in a hot-dog-eating contest, with a minute of debate for each side.

NEWYORKER: The Empty Chamber

With the GOP primary contest down to Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, the debate has devolved into a personality and litmus test.

FORBES: Why America is Angry