Marie Cocco, Washington Post Writers Group
- A presidential campaign in which a prevailing theme is “change” makes it all the easier to see just how much things remain the same.
Take the presidential debates to be broadcast this fall. The Commission on Presidential Debates plans three events, as usual, with one a “town hall” format featuring questions from voters, a recent custom on its way to becoming routine.
Another tradition is firmly upheld as well: Three white men will be in charge of questioning Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama on behalf of millions of American voters who, as a group, are less white and male than ever before. Gwen Ifill, an African-American who is moderator and managing editor of PBS’ “Washington Week,” drew the number two spot. She will moderate the vice-presidential debate, as she did in 2004.
