Ah, politics and booze…  could there be any two American pastimes that are better together?  Here are my official rules for the Presidential Debate Drinking Game.  Make sure you have plenty of beer and liquor, and use this guide next Tuesday as Barack Obama and John McCain square off at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

TAKE A DRINK WHEN…

-         Obama accuses McCain of being too old and out of touch.

-         Obama mentions George W. Bush, linking him to McCain

-         McCain refers to himself as a “Maverick.”

-         McCain accuses Obama of being risky and naïve.

DO A SHOT WHEN…

-         Either candidate mentions the Bailout

-         McCain mentions “The Surge”

-         Obama calls the Iraq war a “Mistake”

-         McCain grins with a smug look of superiority.

CHUG YOUR ENTIRE DRINK WHEN…

-         McCain brings up his status as a War Hero or P.O.W.

-         When either candidate butchers the name of a foreign leader or general.  (Ahmadenajad?  McClellen?)

-         Tom Brokaw has a senior moment and temporarily forgets where he is.

-         Either candidate gives an answer that completely avoids the question.

YELL AT THE TV WHEN…

-         Obama says, “Change” yell back, “Change is for homeless people!”

-         McCain says, “My Friends” yell back, “I’m not your friend, pal!”

OTHER RULES…

-         When NATO is mentioned, clink glasses with everyone in the room.  Anyone that does not participate is attacked, since they are not your ally.

-         If you have the ingredients to make a White Russian, drink one every time Sara Palin is mentioned, since a Russian must be nearby somewhere.

-         Drink Goldschlager anytime a candidate mentions a CEO getting a “Golden Parachute.”

-         Anytime Iran is mentioned drink a Jager bomb or an Irish Car Bomb.

Those are the rules.  Do your duty as an American and watch the debate, and hopefully you’ll be so hammered by the end of it you’ll pass out and wake up in a few weeks when this election is finally over.  Have fun!