(1)   Senator McCain must stress the importance of trustworthiness in presidential leaders. Numerous studies have shown that once inside the voting booth, voters pull the lever for the candidate that they trust.  Regrettably, he must also raise questions about all the unknowns related to his opponent –– his associations with radical domestic terrorists and his far-left voting record. In these dangerous times, Senator McCain must raise questions about having someone in the White House whose personal life and associations cause worry and produce doubts. With his opponent’s values and beliefs appearing to be far outside the mainstream ––even radical and anti-American –– Senator McCain needs to convey trustworthiness.

(2)   Senator McCain must identify with the pain that average Americans are experiencing because of the financial crisis.  He must clearly establish that tax-and-spend plans will turn the financial crisis into a national catastrophe. He has to argue that only strong, experienced leadership, a steady hand at the helm of the Ship of State and conservative policies will bring the nation through this crisis.

(3)   Senator McCain must emphasize the importance of mainstream values and beliefs.  He must argue that this is not the time to elect extremist, liberal candidates to the highest office of the land. He should ask if Americans want to entrust the presidency to far left ideologues –– especially during this dangerous era of financial crisis and international instability. Clearly, holding positions on social issues that are far outside the mainstream –– endorsing partial-birth abortion and opposing parental notification when an adolescent seeks an abortion –– are legitimate concerns that should be raised.  Yet, these are issues that have received little attention throughout the campaign. If these critical concerns are not raised during the final presidential debate, it will be too late to make them a central part of the November election.

Numerous conservative analysts are concerned that this election could mean a dramatic turn toward policies that would profoundly alter American democracy and bring in an era of radical socialism. Some of those analysts have wondered if Americans fully understand the implications of radical socialism’s impact on the nation. Many analysts think that the final presidential debate this week is the last chance for stopping that outcome.