As we approach the first presidential debate tonight, expectations about what the candidates will do and say are running wild. While we hope the candidates will delve deeper into the issues and their own stances, it is hard to expect that they will say much more than what we’ve already heard in stump speeches and attack ads.

While the debates are exciting and attention-grabbing, it takes a lot for them to have a substantial effect on the polls. For the candidates to really impact voters’ choices tonight, they must address certain issues that have been so far ignored or pushed to the wayside in favor of controversial sound bites.

First, Gov. Mitt Romney must go more into detail on his economic plan. The Obama campaign has relentlessly brought attention to the lack of details provided by Romney. If Romney fails to be more specific tonight, he will surely appear less confident and unprepared to take on the struggling economy. While President Obama’s plan has been somewhat clearer than Romney’s, we could still use plenty of clarification of his own take on the economy, too.

Given that the debate takes place in Colorado, the site of the Columbine shooting in 1999 and the Aurora shooting this summer, we hope gun control will finally be addressed in the debate this evening. The president should lead the society to find a balance between protecting the constitutional right to bear arms and preventing violent crime, and voters deserve to know each candidate’s take on the issue.

These and many other issues that have not been addressed are essential to how many Americans will vote. The candidates must be willing to talk about the sensitive topics and confidently put forth their proposals. Otherwise, choosing one to vote for is a shot in the dark.

A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday, Oct. 3 print edition. Email the WSN Editorial Board at [email protected].