Will the presidential debates be a turning point? [Google+ Hangout]

In my column Wednesday morning, I offered a sneak preview of tonight’s debate between President Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Want more? I’ll be discussing the debate, and the polls that show Romney narrowing the gap with Obama, with Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center, in a Google+ hangout at 10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT) today.

On Tuesday, Kohut published a poll finding that 83% of voters say they are likely to watch the debate -- and a razor-thin majority of 51% expect Obama to come out on top. Are high expectations for the incumbent good news for the challenger?

Debates don’t always decide presidential elections. But this year’s race appears to be tightening as election day approaches -- so the three debates, beginning with Wednesday’s, could be turning points.

View our live video discussion at 10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT) right here. And if you have a question for us or would like to raise an issue, let us hear it in the comments below.

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Follow Doyle McManus on Twitter @DoyleMcManus