Remember the Texas debate back in the primaries - Hillary and Barack sitting side by side?

Many considered it to be Obama's strongest performance in the debates.

Well, that is the format tonight.

Some questions:

• How will that play into the audiences perception of the candidates?
• How will help/hurt McCain if he decides to launch an Ayers-war again the democrat?
• How will Obama use it to help close the deal with the American people?

Some things to consider:

• Obama seems more comfortable with McCain than does McCain with him
• It is harder to look your opponent in the eye and ask why he "pals around with terrorists" when he is sitting right next to you
• The very closeness of the participants tends to enforce a certain civility
• The fact that they are sitting side by side tends to level the players as equals

So how could Obama put all that together? 

Accepting the fact that being at the same level means he does not have to try so hard, Obama can relax, turn on the charm and smile at McCain, the moderator and the audience once in a while - appreciating things his opponent says with which he agrees to demonstrate his bipartisanship - using the same smile later but adding a slight shake of his head when he pivots to say tough things like calling out McCain for saying things that are not true or reminding Americans we just can't afford four more years of the same.  And then he can lean forward, look into the camera and get serious, speaking in short sentences directly to the American people  - explaining why things are so hard for them now and specifically how he and they will have to make tough choices and work hard together to turn the country around.

He does that and it is game - set - match Obama, regardless of what McCain might do.

So, all in all I would say the format will matter and it means advantage Obama. 

The question is will the he take full advantage of it.