Eighty million people have been reported as watching the vice presidential and presidential debates and I wondered what the stress was on the four candidates. Sarah Palin, John McCain, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden must feel increasing stress at this stage of their campaigns. The televised debates must have caused additional stress and strain.

The first major stressor during debates is the ultimate victory or loss. At the back of their mind must be the constant fear that they might make an incredible blunder. With the dual pressure of handling content intelligently and presenting oneself as a credible and attractive person comes great strain.

Sarah, Joe, Barack, and John all have distinctive personal styles. Being coached by public speaking experts to take the rough edges off one’s style can be extremely disconcerting and stressful. The pressure of the campaign and the need to develop a credible debating style adds to the stress. What changes must each person make?

Barack Obama has to portray an image of being closely connected with the people. He cannot be seen to be remote and theoretical as they want someone who is warm and understands them. To deal with this tension he promotes a new vision for America revolving around the concept of change.

John McCain is always in danger of being seen as a war hawk because of his position on Iraq and his constant claim about his prisoner of war status. His campaign position is about patriotism and loving America. His age and medical condition are factors that would present him with some stress when seen on the national podium.

Joe Biden has 35 years as a senator so he has a huge amount of knowledge but perhaps too much to convey in a short time. As well, it is easy for people to see him as arrogant. Joe has to present himself as commonplace and one of the people.

Sarah Palin has to impress voters as having a national and international presence not simply as being a mom from middle America. Being able to say folksy words like ‘doggone’ and ‘aint’ might add down-home appeal but they limit her status as a high-level politician. Because she made such a bad showing at some televised interviews, the pressure for her was to appear well-informed.

The debating stress for these four contenders came from trying to cover up their weaknesses and shine with strength. They had to overcome their personality and content differences to be successful. The real issue is whether they handled the debating stress sufficiently well to attract a popular vote.