Do the Debates Actually Matter?

Seth Masket thinks they mean more for Romney:

My impression is that the debate is a higher-stakes event for Romney. He is trailing pretty significantly in the recent polls, and given how few people are still available to convert and that voting has already begun in some states, he doesn't have a lot of time to change things around. And if he's going to change things around, the first debate -- which will likely have the largest audience of any political event this fall -- is the time to do it. Obama, conversely, can win by not losing. So while both men are pretty careful and cautious debaters and not given to particularly rash outbursts, I'd guess that Romney will take a few chances on Wednesday and generally be the aggressor.

Miranda Green, on the other hand, would like to remind everyone that historically they've had little effect on the outcome of the election, and Jack Shafer thinks they're stupid political rituals.