Each month in 2008, CNN Student News will be "Talking Democracy" by introducing an election-related topic on the show and online. From caucuses to conventions and primaries to polls, CNN Student News will be breaking down these election-year concepts for students and teachers. Use this page to check your results after answering questions about the presidential election process.
CNN Student News breaks down the details on the history and formats of presidential debates.
Historical Background: Presidential debates are a product of the television era. In 1960, Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy met in the first general election presidential debate, which was viewed by about 70 million people.
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said he expects both presidential candidates to be at Friday night's debate, even though Sen. John McCain has said he'll only go if Congress reaches a deal on the bailout.
Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama began to formally prepare for their first debate only this week, but their campaigns began negotiations months ago with the Commission on Presidential Debates.
Joe Biden's value as a campaign asset is undermined by his frequent misstatements, as Joe Johns reports.
The Kerry-Edwards campaign has accepted a schedule for three presidential debates and one vice- presidential debate, the campaign announced Thursday.
Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader is crying foul over the ground rules for this fall's presidential debates, which will likely leave him sitting on the sidelines again.