why even have the debates?

[blueknight]

they did away with the town hall debate, where REAL PEOPLE could ask REAL QUESTIONS. everything is scripted with a bunch of soft questions. i wont even watch them. fucking chimpy's handlers have made sure nothing can happen to show what a fucking idiot he is.i grow more frustrated everyday, with how stupid the people in this country really are. its embarrasing

[AnnInLa]

1. Want to be even more frustrated?

www.dailykos.com

This newest flap is an attempt to do to the debates what was done to CBS...to move the focus from the SUBSTANCE to an "unfair" process. If bush does poorly, rove can claim prejudice on the part of the debates' sponsor. They are preparing to move the viewers' attention AWAY from bush's non-substantive message during the debates.

Chris Bowers thoughts on Daily Kos:

"However, what I really think is going on here is an attempt by the Bush campaign to shift the post-debate focus away from the content of debate itself and toward a "Biased Debate Commission" storyline. This would especially be the case if things do not go well in the debate for Bush..."

more on kos

[Ruffhowse]

2. I totally agree, these are NOT debates but pre scripted interviews

where Chimpy has had time to memorize all his talking points. And the "results" of the "debates" will be so processed and homogenized by the media, that Chimpy is guaranteed good reviews. The whole thing is a big waste of time. Nothing is left to chance for Chimpy due to his handlers meticulous processing of his time. I'm sick of the whole damn thing.

[Q]

3. It has been this way for a while...

...with the debate commission being 'owned' by both sides...agreeing on a format that won't embarrass either one.

- The debate commission is about as independent as the media.