[NathanR]

What strategis mistakes? I am sure that Arnold has made many but this wasn't one: Arnold is now three days from a debate he undoubtedly has hoped to avoid at all costs. I can imagine his advisors assuring him early in the campaign that he would never be placed in this position.

Arnold decided early he could only do one debate, and chose the one which would give the most impact. The one he chose is not as scripted as everyone thinks, since other candidates can ask questions and so on.

[SteveH]

What strategis mistakes? I am sure that Arnold has made many but this wasn't one:

I mean, a debate with Tom on stage to permit apples to apples comparison by the voting public. And that I think it likely that Arnold's handlers had not forecast this possibility in advance during the early planning stages of the Arnold campaign. Now they're stuck.