Debatable Value - an Edited Version of this post is scheduled to appear in Letters to the Editor in the Boston Globe

Unlike Mr. Biden's most famous line, this debate is no "big f...ing deal."

Everything is long baked into our understanding of 45 and 46. They have been in our heads forever and a day and whatever they say or don't in 90 minutes on the 27th of June will be as dust in the wind on November 5th.

Sure there will be talk in the days following of a gotcha moment where Mr. Biden stumbles, bumbles and fumbles over a word or three or where Mr. Trump's relentlessness seems to wear his opponent down. And, without doubt, Mr. Trump will have to absorb some major body blows in trying to contend with the recklessness of his mouth and his life.

Yes, the polls may even wobble a bit in the days and weeks ahead. Declaring this one a winner of the debate and the other mortally wounded. But don't be fooled.

Ahead lay the dog days of summer and autumn cooling its heels in the wings. The events unfolding on the ground in the ensuing months will largely dictate with its heavy hand where the pulse of this race heads.

So you can put your feet up, pull out a beer and root for your home team on the 27th, But, no matter the cheers or groans, this will move the needle about as much as if they just aired reruns of Gilligan's Island. I wonder what station that's playing on.