Would Kerry or Edwards be a better debator against Bush?

[Bombtrack]

Before the November election there will be at least 3 debates. They are scheduled to take place at the University of Miami, Arizona State University, and Washington University in St. Louis.

Who do you believe and predict would be the stronger and more adept debator against George W. Bush. This is but one aspect of the primary campaign, but a considerable one.

With the choices, I'll also give optiojns for who you'd rather get the nom(than the other major candidate)

The undecided includes people who are neutral about them but support another candidate getting the nom as well as people who are undecided among just them

[RT Atlanta]

1. either

I think either will knock Chimpy out of the water (even assuming Chimpy is wearing an earpiece so that Rove can whisper answers directly to his dehydrated-bb of a brain).

[Zookeeper]

12. Funny you said that ,

I've always suspected he has a little microphone in his ear during official speaking events. Off the cuff, he is almost incoherent.

[xultar]

2. Subtract 1 from the first option...

I think Edwards would be better.

I don't support anyone now though.

[jmoss]

3. well, then you are suppporting the higher chances of GW winning

:-(

[sadiesworld]

4. Edwards is the better communicator

but Kerry has a better understanding of the issues.

[NoPasaran]

5. Better debator: Edwards

I don't support Kerry or Edwards, but I do think that Edwards---smart, articulate southern lawyer would slice that lazy, mush-mouthed pseudo-southern frat boy into bloody ribbons in a debate.

[MercutioATC]

6. Neither. Bush will tear them apart on the IWR, NCLB and the Patriot Act.

I can already hear Bush thanking either one of them for their support. It's gonna be ugly...

[efhmc]

8. There is a very, calm, simple response to those votes. "I made the best

decision I could based on the information given to me by you, mr. president." Then tear into some of those lies. They really should start this message now.

[efhmc]

7. A pickle could debate him better, sitting there looking all sour and

pouty.

[THUNDER HANDS]

9. I'm gonna make another prediction right here....

If Kerry is the nominee, Bush will only agree to a sit-down debate with him.

At least one of the three debates will be with both Kerry and Bush seated at a table.

[efhmc]

10. Why and what difference would it make for the little idiot?

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. Dennis would run circles around him

But the masses only respond to "pretty" candidates, therefore it makes sense the Edwards should be the guy.

[Zookeeper]

13. Edwards!

I think Kerry would also defeat Bushwah in a debate, but Edwards would cream him. Edward's intelligence, quick wit and self-control would make Dubya's ineptitude glaringly obvious.

[Padraig18]

14. Edwards, hands down.

He is articulate, BRIEF and 'connects' with his audience. Kerry manages to make Al Gore look animated, IMO...

[PurityOfEssence]

15. Edwards is infinitely better

Although Kerry is a good debater, his aristocratic bearing and stuffy New England Elite approach will put off many of the bumpkins; he'll win the debate, but not many converts. Edwards will folksy Junior into the ground, operating on the same wavelength.

Never forget the deep anti-intellectual strain in American Politics.

[Zookeeper]

19. You said it better than I did!

[RobinA]

16. Does It Even Matter?

Gore was better than Bush, but you'd never know it by who sleeps in the White House.

Both would be better than Bush. I'm sure he'll pull out last elections, "I'm just a simple country boy who doesn't use big words, but...."

[redqueen]

17. Kucinich would be stronger than either of those two. n/t

[Leilani]

18. Depends what you're looking for

John Kerry has a complete mastery of all the issues. I also believe he can be quite tough.

Edwards has a more pleasing demeanor, but is light on the issues.
I have noticed everytime he is asked about international subjects, he turns the answer back to jobs. On the campaign trail this doesn't matter, but in a debate, it could finish him off.

Therefore: I support Kerrey; he has debated for years, knows the issues better than Dubya, & will not make a major mistake because he's a pro.

Edwards is too much of a question mark to risk this election on.

[DrFunkenstein]

20. Kerry Will Accuse Bush Of Playing Dress Up For The Accomplished Mission

[Nicholas_J]

21. Kerry by a mile

The Rise and Fall of the Political Union
The glories of Yale's original debating societies contrast sharply with the atrophy of today's union
by Alden L. Bass

...This incarnation influenced many of Yale’s greatest alumni, and it witnessed much political debate, as opposed to the more philosophical debate of previous years. Former Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart ’37, Former President George H. W. Bush ’48, Attorney General John D. Ashcroft ’64, Senator John Kerry ’66, and New York Governor George E. Pataki ’67, all refined their rhetorical skills on the floor of the ypu. Also notable was William F. Buckley, Jr. ’50. These men were leaders at Yale and subsequently became the intellectual and political leaders of the nation...

http://www.yale.edu/lt/archives/v9n3/v9n3ypu.htm

Kerry was one of the foremost debaters who was ever a member of Yale's well known debating society.

One of the reasons that Bush's people dropped the attempt to drill in ANRW was sheer fear of Kerry's leading the threatened filibuster.

They dropped the legislative attempt immediately.

[FeelinGarfunkelly]

22. woahwoahwoah...

So lemme get this straight: only Ivy-Leaguers can be good debaters? I mean, Kerry knows the issues, but that doesn't mean he could "win" the debate in the eyes of the viewers.

One of the lessons I've learned in college is that a professor can be incredibly knowledgeable about his/her subject, but if he can't communicate the central tenets of it to the students, it's not going to mean shit. Kerry has that problem: he doesn't connect to the audience in the same way as John Edwards or even Shrub.

If anyone was to win by a landslide against Bush, he would have to be able to 1) know the issues and know where he stands; and 2) be able to convince people that his stance is the best position for America's future. The only person who can have the best of both worlds is John Edwards.

[Nicholas_J]

24. Doesnt look like thats going to happen

In order for Edwards to become the nominee now, it is necessary for him to win 60 percent of all of the delegates remaining in all of the states left between now and the convention. Thsts 60 percent of the remaining primaries and caucuses.

Kerry seems to communicate well enough for him to have three times the delegates that Edwards has now, and seems to be far enough of Edwards in every poll for Edwards to be unable to get that 60 percent of every remaining delegate to secure the nomination.

What I have learned about college, both as a student and teaching, is that one can be extremely intelligent and still know jack about the way the world works. And the world doesnt work simply, nor is trying to make something which is complex seem simple the best way to win, and certainly not the best way to debate. While I like and admire Edwards, his explainations of everything are simply too simplistic, and greatly smack of the class warfare arguments that have never seemed to be effective anyway.

[mvd]

23. Kerry

I think experience is important when you're up against Bush. This goes for the debates. That's why I'd rather Kerry got the nom even though I like Edwards a little more.

[BL_Zebub]

25. Neither will be able to debate the last three years, as both voted for it

...However, if Edwards could frame the debate from the standpoint of the average American citizen, that would be to his advantage. Neither Bush or Kerry ever had to worry about living from paycheck to paycheck. Hell, neither of them even had to worry about finding a job for that matter. Kerry's only "common man" references will be connected with his Vietnam war experience, and Team BCE has tainted that issue to the point where he would be well advised not to use it. Everybody knows he went and Junior didn't.