More fun

Okay, R1, I give this intro. My opponent gives me a list of several topics, pertaining to a variety of subjects. In R2, I pick the topic. My opponent picks his or her side. If they pick Pro, they go in their R2, and forfeit in R5, if they pick Con, they don't do anything else in R2. R3 and on are normal.

1. Will Mcain win the presidential election
2. Is the death penalty good

Numero uno por favor.

I'll be Con

Contention 1: In which the resolution is analyzed.
The resolution is phrased as a question, that is, "Will John McCain win the presidential election?" Pro is supposed to answer yes, Con is supposed to answer no. Both sides must defend their answer.

Contention 2: In which the necessary assumptions for this debate are listed.
Assumption 1: There is actually a presidential election.
Assumption 2: John McCain is actually running in this election.
Assumption 3: It is not impossible for McCain to win this election--that is, there is no inherent constraint on his ability to win, i.e., he is too young, he is not a US citizen, he has not been a US resident for at least 14 years, et cetera.
Assumption 4: He isn't guaranteed to win--that is, there is no inherent constraint on his ability to lose, i.e., he is the only one running, he is the only eligible voter in the US, et cetera.

Contention 3: In which the resolution is clarified.
John McCain--the Arizona Senator running with Sarah Palin for the office of the President of the United States
Win--get more electoral college votes
Presidential election--the 2008 US Presidential election.

Contention 4: In which the burden of proof for both sides is analyzed.
As the resolution is a question, both sides have an equal burden of proof. Because both sides provide an answer to a question, both sides must prove the truth of their answer. Furthermore, predicting the future is impossible. That means that Pro must show that John McCain will most likely win the presidency, and Con must show that he will most likely lose.

Contention 5: In which I defend my answer.
If the election were held today, Barack Obama would win by 64 electoral votes (http://www.realclearpolitics.com...). In order to win, John McCain would have to get a few states. This is very possible. John McCain is on course to win Virginia (http://www.realclearpolitics.com...), North Carolina (http://www.realclearpolitics.com...), Minnesota (http://www.realclearpolitics.com...), and Wisconsin (http://www.realclearpolitics.com...). This would bring him up to 285 electoral votes, more than enough to win the election. Also this site has predicted a McCain win (http://nextbigfuture.com...). Furthermore, even a pro Obama site has predicted victory for McCain (http://onethingiknow.net...)

Conclusion: The electoral trends show that McCain will most likely get more electoral college votes, and therefore win this election.

It's still extemley close anyone could win

"It's still extemley close anyone could win"

But as I have shown, John McCain is much more likely to win the race. The statistical trends point to a McCain victory. Prove that it's extremely close. As of now, I win.

My opponent forfeited.