| CLIMATECHANGE | Presidential debate topic, or a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| CIRCLESBACK | Brings up a prior topic ... or a hint to making sense of the answers to this puzzle's starred clues |
| ECONOMY | Presidential debate topic, with "the" |
| IRAQ | 2004 presidential debate topic |
| THEME | Topic; or, a Byzantine district (5) |
| OUTSIDEHELP | Assistance from a tutor, say...or a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| ARTAPPRECIATION | Class where you may discover a painter, or a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| PUNCHINGDOWN | Belittling the less powerful, or a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| TWISTOFLIME | Tart garnish for a drink, or a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| APPLETURNOVER | Triangular fruit pastry, or a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| DATACORRUPTION | Reason for a broken digital file, and a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| MIXEDGRILL | Dish with numerous meats, or a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| INSIDEMAN | Certain spy, or a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| BACKUPPLAYER | Substitute, or a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters? |
| LETONESHAIRDOWN | Loosen up, or a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| BACKBURNER | Low-priority place, and a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| INSIDELANE | Advantageous position in some races, and a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| BREAKTIME | Workplace respite, and a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| BREAKSUPTHEBAND | Upsets many music fans, and a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
| WINTRYMIX | Perilous forecast for travelers, and a hint to the starred answers' indicated letters |
