From WNYC in New York, this is On the Media. I'm Bob Garfield.

And I'm Brooke Gladstone. We're past the point where you can comfortably ignore the presidential election.

In Iowa, early voting has already begun, and in Ohio, it starts Tuesday. On Wednesday

in Denver, we have the first debate between the two nominees, and as usual, the campaigns

are trying to tamp down our expectations by talking up the rhetorical skills of the opposing

candidate. On Air Force One, Obama's traveling press secretary,

Jen Saki, called Mitt Romney the most prepared presidential debater in modern history,

whereas her candidate, she said, hadn't really had time to study. As for Romney, when asked

on a tarmac in Dayton whether voters are expecting too much of him on debate night,

he conceded sensibly.

I don't know exactly how to raise or lower expectations.

And then immediately reminded viewers that...

The president is obviously a very eloquent, gifted speaker.

He'll do just fine.

Also keeping our expectations modestly in check, the debate moderators.

PBS's Jim Lehrer for the 12th time.

CBS veteran Bob Schiefer, ABC's Martha Radditz for the vice presidential debate,

and CNN's Candy Crowley, who will host a town hall-style event with the two presidential candidates.

Lacking a Fox News presence to some critics, the lineup is, you know, lame stream.

Here's Rush Limbaugh on Lairor.

Far left-wing liberal Democrat.

Schiefer.

...