How will this affect the Democratic Presidential Debate tomorrow?

[slinkerwink]

With Gore's endorsement of Dean, will the other candidates take potshots at Dean that will be heavier than before? There'll be new voters tuning into the debate probably, with their eye on Dean. So Dean has to really command that debate even though it's on C-span. I bet the networks are wishing that they'd picked up this debate instead of C-span. What do you guys think?

[slinkerwink]

1. :kick:

[LuminousX]

2. Yes, expect it to be rough

So many 'silver bullets' will be shot at Dean tomorrow it will be frightening.

[eileen_d]

3. What about the children?

For the love of all that's holy, WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN????

[alfredo]

4. When and which C-span station? eom

[slinkerwink]

5. the original C-span channel, not Cspan 2

[creativelcro]

18. is it also on one of the C-SPAN web streams ??

I don't have cable, mostly use TV to watch DVDs...

[alfredo]

23. It is on C-SPAN at 7 PM EST.

I found the schedule.

[blm]

6. Despite what Frank Luntz says, Dean has never commanded one debate/forum.

Even some of the more honest Dean supporters here will admit to that.

[patricia92243]

7. NOBODY COMMANDS DEBATE OF 9 PEOPLE

DEAN OR ANYBODY ELSE IS NOT ABLE TO SHINE VERY MUCH IN A DEBATE WHEN THERE SO MANY OTHER DEBATERS AND EACH PERSON IS ONLY ALLOWED A COUPLE OF MINUTES HERE AND THERE

[slinkerwink]

8. that's true and welcome to DU!!!!!

:hi:

[YellowDawgDemocrat]

10. Dean has grown as a candidate

and with Gore on board his confidence level should increase, allowing him to be a more relaxed and substantive candidate. Let the attacks begin, Dean is getting better everyday.

Don't kid yourselves, it's Dean's nomination. Iowa and New Hampshire will kill Gephardt and Kerry. Lieberman just got axed with Gore endorsing Dean. Clark has failed to grow as a candidate and I don't think he's going to be getting better anytime soon.

Dean and Edwards is starting to look pretty good.

[slinkerwink]

13. still, I don't want to rest on my laurels yet

it's good to be cautious about the primaries---being too cocky now will drive other supporters off.

[arewethereyet]

21. your laurels ?

n/t

[slinkerwink]

24. the laurels of the Dean campaign for getting this endorsement

it's still too early.

[arewethereyet]

25. thats more like it

n/t

[janx]

12. Frank Luntz is a putz. Who would believe anything he says?

?

[janx]

9. Slink! You're right! I hadn't even thought about that.

And I'll miss the debate (yet again) because I teach a class then. You and others will have to keep me informed!

[slinkerwink]

14. aww, can you tape it?

you can always watch the blog comments for a play-by-play comments tomorrow.

[janx]

30. I will ask my husband to tape it.

But if that doesn't work, I'll check here because I'm sure you will post your reactions. Do you know if they will broadcast it again?

I don't have any more formal classes scheduled, but I'm expecting some stragglers to come in seeking help with their essays. Like a loyal soldier, I will be there. (Note, please, the military reference.)

We're having a lovely snow along the Front Range in Colorado tonight. It's one of those serene snows. The dogs love it.

[janx]

11. Even if Dean gets hammered (and he will), this endorsement

has to make him stronger and more confident.

Yet he's a gent; he won't wipe the other candidates's noses in it by mentioning it.

[opihimoimoi]

15. The Smart and Common Sense thing to do....................is come TOGETHER

IN A NATIONAL SHOW OF UNITY.

Two weeks ago I posted this approach, now is the time and perfect opportunity. The candidates will all look good, noble, and "on board" in such a way as to send shivers up the Bushes supposed spine.

This would be something the Pubs had not seriously thought possible so the shock of seeing all the Dems coming together on one stage hugging and banding together would be a killer, especially on a National Format.

So sez the Mynah from Mattahs

[janx]

22. That would be preferable, but politics and human nature might

assure that it won't happen.

We'll see.

[tameszu]

31. OK, I'm someone who likes Dean but doesn't support him,

and I have to say that "being a gent" would not be at the top of my list of good qualities that Dean has.

Being a streetfighter, yes. Being a great tactician, yes. Being able to look like a blunt, straight-talker, probably. But I don't think he's aiming for the "gent" thing (although he's smart if he tries to turn his image in that direction).

I give him a 50-50 chance of rubbing the other candidates' noses in it.

[slinkerwink]

34. I don't think he will at the debate.

btw, nice to see you again.

[littlejoe]

16. I think it will be helpful to Dean

to have everyone laying it on thick and heavy. This will give him a chance to show everyone in T.V. land what Dean is made of. In the first place, no self-respecting American likes seeing anyone get ganged up on. Secondly, Dean does not have to command the debate. He will only have to show that he is capable of rising above the fray. It will make him look all the more presidential.

[burning bush]

37. Viewers Will Follow The Other Candidate's Lead

So, if all the other candidates are concentrating on Dean, the viewer's natural inclination will be to (can you guess?) concentrate on Dean.

Dean has a great opportunity there. All he has to do is rope-a-dope a little, and keep talking about hope, the future, positive change, etc.

Everyone else will look negative in comparison.

Oh yeah - if there are any Clark people out there with influence on their candidate - have him jump up and congradulate Dean on being endorsed by the President (small pause) "I mean Al Gore, of course" with a sly wink, wink, nudge nudge!

It would be the line of the night, Clark would look like a real diplomat AND down to earth guy, and probably get the most attention out of the evening. IMHO, anyway :)

[greyl]

17. ABC is covering it

in an extended Nightline tomorrow.

[slinkerwink]

20. really? still.....not many people watch the extended version of

Nightline.

[directinfection]

29. This debate is atrocious

ABC is holding the debate at the Univerity of NEW HAMPSHIRE. however, no students were able to get tickets. See, ABC is more interested in ratings and getting the "feel" of an exiciting college campus. College students? DON'T NEED EM! SO basically all tickets went out to members of the media (though members of the college newspaper had to SCRAMBLE to get ahold of any passes) and a limited number to canidates.

What message does this send to the younger generation?

How much control does the media have in picking canidates and shaping the election?

Suddenly i feel so far away from the democratic process.

[quaker bill]

19. I expect that is true

I also expect that Dean, as usual will rise to the occasion.

[mmonk]

26. Clark doesn't usually attack

but some might. I bet Lieberman will feel uncomfortable.

[killbotfactory]

27. I expect some very whacky attacks on Dean

I'm sure the Gore thing has thrown 'em all for a loop.

[slinkerwink]

28. yep, they're seriously threatened by this

I expect to hear a lot of attacks on Dean tomorrow night.

[WilliamPitt]

32. I wonder if the Gore endorsement will verbally kneecap Joe Lieberman...

Worth watching to find out.

[slinkerwink]

36. yep, I expect Joe to make stringent accusations......

*sigh* poor Joe.

[Guaranteed]

33. After this, I expect to see either

desperate tactics or surrender from the rest of the candidates, except for Clark. He's going to try to pick up those who gave up on Gep, Edwards, Lieberman, etc.

This won't affect Kucinich supporters at all, of course.

[grannylib]

35. I hope not...I want to see the candidates bash Bush, not each other...

I think there is a huge difference between "He/she has a bad plan" and "Here's why my plan is better"
I hope they keep it positive when talking about each other, and I hope they all chew Chimpy into a bazillion pieces and spit him out.