] For all their efforts to prepare the candidates for the
] debates, the campaigns have been just as determined to
] mount energetic efforts on another front: to influence
] the press, and public, perceptions of the encounter
] before they take hold across cable and network news,
] newspapers, the Internet and late-night comedy shows. It
] is an especially daunting task, considering that
] journalists try to be beyond such persuasion, partisan
] bloggers approach their writing with a hardened point of
] view, and comedians seek to pounce on whatever will get
] the most laughs.