Join The Joplin Globe and a group of undecided voters, Republicans and Democrats on Wednesday night for the last presidential debate. Join the discussion by leaving your thoughts in our comments section at the bottom. Our panel of undecided voters are getting comfortable and the conversation will begin soon.



7:00 p.m. Tonight's voter panel includes:

Jim Hight, 56, is a retired Neosho resident, and a Democrat since 1976. Hight says Obama represents a change from the last eight years and he will be his choice on Nov. 4. He is a retired federal worker.

Alan Snow, 43, lives in Carthage, and worked his first campaign when he was 8, He describes himself as a lifelong Republican. He works at Leggett and Platt, Inc., managing their printshop. Snow says McCain is a man who can make changes in Washington and is his choice for president.

Paul Davis,69, Webb City, still counts himself among the undecided. Davis is retired from the Army Corp of Engineers. Davis is looking for a true Conservative candidate.



7:28 p.m. Bringing folks together to discuss the debate, says Globe Editor Carol Stark, is yet another example of using community journalism to explore issues.

"It''s our hope tonight to learn more not just about the candidates, but those who will be making the decision at the polls," Stark. said.

The local panel will offer up their observations throughout tonight's debate. Stark invites online viewers to respond to their comments.

In terms of significance of this election, Snow said he would compare it to the Carter/Reagan election in 1980. No election since that has held such significance, he said.

Hight says he wants Obama to look McCain in the face and ask him if he really thinks he is a terrorist. Snow wants to hear McCain ask Obama how he would not raise taxes on everyone.



8:00 p.m. The moderator addresses the audiance and the candidates are introduced.

Economic plan

Hight disagrees with McCain's plan to cut corporate taxes. Snow addresses Hight's observation that the government has a use it or lose it mentality and spends as quickly as they can.

Federal budget

Davis belivevs that the education and energy departments should be cut, Snow Agrees that Davis on education.

Hight said Homeland Securityshold be cut. They keep adding more people and more programs. Just don't think one person should be over the whole thing.

McCain v. Bush

Snow said he does not believe a vote for McCain is a vote for Bush. No one think he would be another Bush. Even if Bush was there another four years said Davis, he wouldn't be the same Bush.

Hight thinks McCain would be four more years of Bush because of his voting record. Sounds like he's backing up just to get the support.

Sexism, racism

8:20 p.m. Hight believes remarks by Congressman John Lewis of Georgia comparing McCain to George Wallace were unwarranted"

"One of the disadvantages of this campaign is a black man running for president and a woman for vice-president and every negative remark made is taken as racist or sexist."

Snow believes more sexism than racism in this campaign

He said there have been more attacks on Palin because of her gender.

The campaign season

8:39 p.m. The campaign has gone on for so long, said Snow, that the public is getting weary. Hight thinks there needs to be a date set for campaigning.

Same things were said about the candidates in the primary, said Snow, and now the people are tired of hearing it. Hight said the negative campaigns was a desperate campaign move on the part of the McCain camp.

Snow said that when one of the candidate does not have a record, some of the campaigning has to be on character.

Snow thinks they have been equal in negativity.

Davis thinks its the Republican National Committee that has been funding some of the most negative campaigning so that McCain can say "Not me."

Veeps

8:47p.m. Davis believes Palin has as much as experience as Clinton did when he was elected. She seems to be a real quick study. Really hit the ground running, but she didn't do a very good job with Katie Couric. I think she was set up.

Hight thinks Biden is well qualified, while Palin was a mistake as a pick. "She has been protected totally by the McCain handlers."

Snow believes Biden has more experience than Obama. Snow has no concern about McCain's age. He thinks if Palin had to take over reins, she would have advisors, so don't make decisions in a vaccum.



None of the members of the panel believe either candidate has the ability to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.



Bailouts

9:00 p.m. Snow doesn't believe its government's place to provide a bailout to a car maker. When government gets involved it does nothing for free enterprise.

Hight said he would almost be for a bailout because it would save some jobs.

Snow thinks the free market system has run amok because of greed. "Put that bottle of whiskey out there and all the alcoholics ran for it"

Health Care,/b>

9:06 p.m. Davis says government providing insurance doesn't promote the general welfare of the nation.

Hight would like to see health-care expanded for uninsured. He believes everyone should be insured.

Snow thinks the federal government paying for health care won't make anyone healthier. Tax breaks for businesses to

provide insurance for employees would be more acceptable. Hight thinks that would at least be a start.

Abortion

9:21 p.m. Hight said he is pro-choice, while Davis would only allow the health of the mother to be a reason for abortion. Snow takes a pro-life stance on abortion.

Snow says obviously you want a justice to uphold the Constitution. The litmus test would be based on the Constitution. Davis and Snow would support a state Constitution amendment to ban abortions, while Hight would be opposed.

Education

9:21 p.m. Snow said teachers aren't teaching anymore because of No Child Left Behind. Davis believes outcome based education is futile and creates failure.

Hight believes No Child Left Behind is a terrible failure and education should be a state issue, not a federal one.

In that, all three members of the panel agreed.

Vouchers

9:25 pm. Hight said he is against vouchers even at the state level. Snow said he doesn't think vouchers will help local public schools. Davis believes in vouchers for private schools, parochial schools and for home schools.

It's a wrap

9:30 p.m. Hight said Obama represents the change needed from the last eight years. From the failure in Iraq to No Child Left Behind. With McCain I see no changes ahead.

Snow said that all he heard from Obama was more socialism and more socialism will not solve our problems. More socialism and more government involvement will not fix our problems.

Davis' last impression pivoted on a comment made by Obama on cutting dollars spent. Davis said that is not something that a president can control. He said he welcomed a comment by McCain that he would be willing to cut the defense.