In the last of three presidential debates, Senators Barack Obama and John McCain faced off in a sit-down format exclusively about domestic issues: taxes, spending, health care, energy, education and other issues. Bob Schieffer of CBS News moderated the debate. The candidates talked at length about their tax and budget plans. McCain charged that Obama would raise taxes, while Obama countered that 95 percent of Americans would not see a tax change, or see a tax cut, under his plan. McCain focused on his plan to freeze government spending on certain programs and to cut wasteful earmark spending. Pundits saw the debate as the last chance for John McCain to turn the race around, as Obama's lead in important swing states has grown since October. There are 19 days left until the election and the debate will likely be the last time the candidates appear together before the election. Warm Up Questions 1. What domestic issues are the most important to you? 2. How have you been following the presidential election? 3. If you watched the past debates, did they affect your opinion of the candidates? What do you want to hear the candidates talk about now? Discussion Questions 1. Do you think the two candidates answered the questions? If not, why do you think they avoid answering certain questions? What tactics did they use to avoid answering the questions? 2. Which candidate do you think "won" the debate? How? 3. Did the candidates discuss the issues that matter most to you? Which issues were not discussed? 4. During the debate, both candidates repeatedly talked about "Joe the Plumber" from Ohio. Why do you think they kept talking about this person? Do you relate to "Joe the Plumber"? 5. The two candidates have different education policies. Which policy do you support? Why? Additional Resources Debate video by topic Obama talks with "Joe the Plumber"