National political conventions have become, in NBC's Brian Williams' words, "four-day infomercials." But it's not always clear the message is getting through. The tension between convention planners and television news organizations that don't want to be seen as doing the politicians' bidding was obvious at ...

Tonight Jim Lehrer, host of PBS's The News Hour, will moderate the first presidential debate of the general election, which will take place at University of Mississippi in Oxford. PBS will be one of nine networks broadcasting the debate tonight. With Mr. Lehrer in the moderator's chair, Ray Suarez will anchor PBS's pre- and post-debate coverage. According ...

Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama Friday clashed in a crucial first presidential debate with the United States reeling from days of deep political and economic turmoil. The candidates strode into a theater across a red carpeted stage, at the University of Mississippi, smiling and offering handshakes with anticipation palpable in the audience less than 40 days before election ...