This Friday, September 26, is the first Presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama.  The debate, which will be hosted at the University of Mississippi, will be 90-minutes long and will be focused on foreign policy and national security.  After Friday’s debate there will be two more face offs before Election Day. Other issues will be spotlighted in those debates.

                I talked to several young voters to see what issue they are most excited to hear discussed at the upcoming debates.

                “I’ll be happy if they debate an issue instead of slinging mud at each other,” John Montgomery, 22, said.

                John said he thinks a lot of ‘mudslinging’ will occur when the two candidates start discussing foreign policy and who has the most experience with foreign policy.

                Most of the voters I talked to this week are most concerned about the economy. With the recent stock market crash and the always high gas prices, who can blame them?

                “I would like to hear real answers about the economy and about energy,” Blake Dillner, 22, said. “Not just upper level, pie in the sky idealism.”

                Matt Wall, 24, says he cannot believe how ‘crazy’ the economy is right now.

                “I’m hopeful that the next president can do better, and I hope the candidates tell us how they will make our economy better,” Matt said.

                Josh Penuel, 18, will be voting for the first time this November. Although he says he isn’t sure which issues will affect him the most in the future, Josh says gas prices are a big concern to him now.

                “I want somebody to talk about lowering gas prices,” Josh said. “I guess that has a lot to do with energy, so I hope they talk about that too.”

                Katie Kurtz, 25, says energy and the environment is the most important thing in the election this year.

“We need someone who’s going to think about the next generation when making decisions, not just quick fixes and the here and now.” Katie said. “So I’m interested for them to get more in depth on that subject.”  

Well, Katie, Josh, Matt, Blake, and everyone else, will have to wait until the final debate, October 15, to hear in depth answers on economy and domestic policy. However, the second debate held on October 7 will be conducted in a town hall meeting style. Un-decided voters will be able to ask questions on any subject. Maybe the energy crisis and how to solve it will be discussed then.

Make sure and watch the debate this Friday, to hear what kind of answers Obama and McCain will give to these question and many others.

The Vice-Presidential debates also begin in the coming weeks. Joe Biden and Sarah Palin will face off on October 2, in St. Louis, Missouri.