Upcoming Debates Could Prove Pivotal

[pstokely]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040918/ap_on_el_pr/the_debates

By TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Because Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites) is the challenger and lags President Bush (news - web sites) in most national polls, he seems to have the most to gain from a strong performance in the upcoming fall debates. Some Democrats see the face-offs as the last chance for a Kerry breakout. But presidential debates present pitfalls as well as opportunities.

[mconvente]

1. from that article

But University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato suggests that Bush will have one big advantage in that "he's constantly underestimated. This is where the intense dislike for Bush among Democrats backfires on them. They insist that he's dumb as a post, and when he demonstrates he's not, he wins."

We need to get the message out that Bush is a good debater, but because of his shrill tactics rather than because of accurate information.

[dennis4868]

3. "....and when he demonstrates he's not, he wins."

ummmm, when did he win?

[americanstranger]

7. He beat Ann Richards. He beat Gore.

He's won every debate he's ever been in.

Yep, that G.W. Bush is one hell of debater. I'd say Kerry's got his work cut out for him.

FINE PRINT: This is what should be repeated by Dems every day until the dabates happen. Raise that bar, baby!

-as

[dennis4868]

9. How do you know Bush....

beat Richards and Gore? Who told you that? I did not see the debates with Richards but I did see the debates with Gore and Bush did not win....that is what the corporate media told you but clearly Gore won....he knocked down everything Bush said, plus Bush was lying all over the place (i.e., I supported the patients' bill of rights in Texas which was a lie ignored by the media).

Bush was incoherent and the fact that he showed up was reason ebough for the media to give the win to Bush....

[americanstranger]

10. Do me a big favor, here...

Go back and read my post again. Then squinch your eyes up and read the part that says 'Fine Print.'

Maybe then you'll get the point I was trying to make. It's all about expectations.

-as

[CookieD]

16. Absolutely!

And let's not forget that John Kerry is notoriously long-winded, incoherent and a poor debater.

Lower their expectations. Lower their expectations. Lower their expectations.

;-)

[TexasBushwhacker]

23. I don't recall that he and Ann Richards had debates

He won the gubernatorial election because she vetoed the referendum on the right to carry a concealed firearm. She knew it was political suicide, but she did it anyway. Bush didn't win the election. Ann Richards lost it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. We should also make sure that there is no FAVORITISM.

If there is even one iota of difference between this debate and other debates, it should be magnified to show that Bush is only where he is because people keep stacking the deck in his favor.

[KansDem]

8. Bush can't pull this crap again...

In 2000 he was the "good ol' boy" going up against the "librul" intellectual Al Gore. But he can't pull that crap again. He's been in the White House four years now and has declared himself the "war president." He won't be able to "lower expectations." He has the blood of 1,030 Americans and 10,000s Iraqis on his hands, plus the biggest deficit in US history. Voters expectations will be HIGH, and rightfully so...

The media will be foolish to try to pull this shit again...

[pstokely]

15. isn't he still the "good ol' boy"

ins't Kerry the "librul" intellectual?

[Carolab]

18. Ah, that's a load of crap

The man is HEAVILY coached and probably does have an earpiece. Look for pauses and delays in his responses to see if he's getting a feed. Of course, if the questions ARE given to him in advance, Rove can be whispering in his ear even as they are being asked.

I think Kerry should be allowed to ask impromptu questions and vice versa. Let's see how intelligent Bush's Q&A is if he is on his own.

[mitchtv]

2. kerry should do well

The press and tv will say he was destroyed."Bush wins debates race all but over"

[moondust]

4. As long as George doesn't

leap into the audience and stab an old woman in a wheelchair--it's in the bag! George's bag. TV talking whores #1 through #79 say so.

[Placebo]

5. Yea, I said this around here before...

and people jumped all over me for saying that the debates are our only hope to bring the BIG MO back in our favour.

Kerry will do well, but to really shake up the race he will have to do EXTREMELY WELL. And I don't want any little funny comments to come from W, stupid W, grr :grr:

[Just Me]

11. Bah. George is easy IF you anticipate his style,...

,...which is "diversion".

Pound him on diverting from SOLVING the issue, over and over and over, again (e.g. "what does that have to do with advancing the interest for the American people?" or "what does 'privatizing social security really mean and how does it help those who are so less fortunate than you or your corporate buddies"). Be willing to demand an answer to issues affecting the people and be fully armed to reveal the "affects" that your opponent proves total ignorance,...

,...you'll score a hole in one,...every time. Believe me, I've lived with competitive "devil's advocates" my whole freakin' life. I usually end up asking, "Is your motivation 'to win' or 'to solve' the problem at hand? If it's 'to win',...the problem will never be solved,...because, you are not interested in combatting reality,...to the contrary,...you prefer to avoid it!!!"

He may never "buy", insisting upon diversionary tactics,...and you may feel frustrated at failing to get your message out,...BUT, he will be exposed as the rigid, stubborn, despotic person that he is. He will be exposed as the recalcitrant bully unwilling to even stay on page with respect to anyone's interests other than his own.

[AzDar]

12. Monkey with an earpiece?

A friend told me yesterday that Texas Toast is being allowed to wear an earpiece, and have the questions in advance. Can this be true?

[Ohio rules]

13. How many debates does Kerry have on his record?

What I've heard, Kerry is weak in the debate forum ( his own words )

Does anybody have "game film" of Kerry in debates ?

[w4rma]

14. Didn't you watch the Democratic Primary? (nt)

[Carolab]

17. Gee, do you think the media

will be impartial in their "summation" of how they each did? Oh, I can hear them now--sick already.

[IronLionZion]

19. Bush a master debator!

Kerry will be reeling when Bush throws out those fuzzy numbers and aerial acrobatics. Man, that guy is a smooth talking, straight shooter who would never, ever stumble over the English language.

Kerry better shape up.


(wink, wink) ;) ;))

[_NorCal_D_]

20. You are correct.

And don't forget the most important aspect of the debates: Kerry looks French. It's utterly inconceivable that bush would be out-debated by a Frenchman. :)

[AZCat]

21. Oh! (think fast, AZCat)

Yeah, that tough-talking Texan sure stomps his opponents on the stump, I can't wait to see his concise, clear explanations of not only his party platforms, but his record as president!

If Kerry can make it to the debates, he's doing good for a Democratic Party candidate. If he manages to answer more than one question, he's doing great!

*ahem*

;-)

[drscm]

22. You know *Bush will fight having the second debate tooth and nail.

I will never forget in the last debate how a man pointed out he always talked about the death penalty with a smirk and a lilt of glee. It caught the boy off guard.

People asking him real questions? No way is that going to happen. Not when he has the media in his pocket sucking on his...

[Bigmack]

24. If there is a terrorist attack....

Dumbya can cancel the debates. He can say he's too busy being the "war president".

You think Rove hasn't come to that conclusion? (Excuse me while I put an extra liner in my tinfoil yarmulke.)

I read all the above posts, but I just can't imagine that idiot actually debating... even with an earpiece.

My god... Jon Stewart could turn Bush inside out.

If Kerry can't turn Bush into a gibbering pile of meat, he doesn't deserve to win, and we are all screwed!

[Bigmack]

25. Subject: If there is a terrorist attack....

Dumbya can cancel the debates. He can say he's too busy being the "war president".
You think Rove hasn't come to that conclusion? (Excuse me while I put an extra liner in my tinfoil yarmulke.)
I read all the above posts, but I just can't imagine that idiot actually debating... even with an earpiece.
My god... Jon Stewart could turn Bush inside out.
If Kerry can't turn Bush into a gibbering pile of meat, he doesn't deserve to win, and we are all screwed!