Buzz in the media today suggests that McCain will be keen to highlight Obama’s contact with William Ayers in tonight’s debate.

Obama, of course, goaded him, stating that he didn’t have the guts to raise the issue in a debate forum. So, even if the McCain campaign had wanted to steer clear of personal attacks, they pretty much don’t have a choice.

It’s a good tactic on the part of the Obama campaign. It makes him look strong, first, and then allows him to highlight the community work he did before ever considering running for President.

This work, conducted with Ayers, has been found clean of any unwanted “lefty” influences or objectives. It’s an argument Obama can’t lose.

McCain has also promised that he won’t raise Reverend Wright, but if personal attacks are the timbre of the conversation, Wright may come up too. Finally, McCain will likely attempt to draw strong links with Obama and the organizing group, Acorn. This, the most dangerous of the three attacks, will require a cool response from the Democratic candidate emphasizing the separation between his Party and the community organizers who engage in get-out-the-vote efforts.

I’m expecting a tame debate. If you support Obama, that’s good news for you.

But with luck the strategists behind McCain who have been floundering for almost a month will wake up, get back on track and brief their candidate with talking points that require an actual discussion about economic solutions.

We could see a real argument about whether cutting corporate taxes increases prosperity for the middle class, about whether forcing health care on small businesses will stifle their growth opportunities and what kind of government programs will help combat that.

Finally, we might see a spit fire McCain paint Obama as a socialist ready to lead the United States into ruin.

Do I think McCain will win any of these arguments? No. The Obama campaign is solidly centrist and polls suggest the American people are happy with government assistance (as always happens in times of economic downturn).

But I get a little excited at the thought that pressure on McCain may make this final debate one worth watching.