Kerry tonight : "Mr Bush, please try these flip flops on for size"

[dumpster_baby]

Kerry has the first question tonight, which he should answer very quickly, and then use the rest of that first interval to grab the focus of the debate.

He should say to the audience " I would like you to count how many times tonight Mr Bush uses these words and phrases". And then he should list all the current talking points that Bushco have pounding away on. We know that is what Bush is doing. Even the media is talking about how well Bush is staying on message. But that just means they are telegraphing their punches.

After Kerry reads each talking point phrase or word, he should give a quick rebuttal.

When Kerry says, " Mr Bush will likely call me a flip flopper. Well, Mr Bush needs to try these flip flops on for size himself." Kerry could then pull a pair of flip flops out of his jacket and toss them on the floor between them.

This kind of visual gesture can take advantage of the work the GOP has already done preparing the AMerican viewer for the flip flop image. But turn it on its head...

[Cocoa]

1. like a courtroom scene in the movies

"ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the defense is going to tell you ..."

[JuniorPlankton]

2. No props allowed

So unless Kerry comes wearing them....

I like the idea of firing a preventive shot in that direction.
With, probably, just a bit more subtlety.

[dumpster_baby]

4. what is Bush going to do, take his ball and run home?

that would cost Bush even more points.

THe flip flops are the primary visual image of this campaign. Kerry should grab the advantage with his first time slot, and use Bush's own propaganda technques against Bush!

[ClassWarrior]

13. Screw the rules of the "debate." The survival of our democracy...

...lies in the balance.

I hope JK and his prep team left everything on the table, and the rules be damned.

23.

[private_ryan]

3. and mention the Bush flip flops

take the wind out the Chimp's only line

[dumpster_baby]

6. exactly, combine the visual flip flop ploy with a factual rebuttal

but he has to be damn quick about it

[librechik]

5. candidates cannot address each other directly

Just throw the damn flipflops at him.

[dumpster_baby]

7. break the rules.

THe public already know that there are 3 debates and that there are a lot of rules. Bush can now only LOSE points if they cancel the debates.

And how could bush possibly gain by breaking the rules? He is a terrible extemporaneous speaker and he is up against a master at that kind of speaking...

[dave29]

8. breaking the rules

Actually this is one of my great hopes for tonight. That Kerry will break the rules and make Geroge look like a scared little school boy. He can then say, sorry George, didn't mean to put you on the spot - for a minute there you looked like you did in that Florida classroom. If you don't like me breaking the debate rules, perhaps you should get a good trial lawyer and take another election into the courts... I've already got a good trial lawyer.

[dumpster_baby]

11. right--we know Kerry far more flexible than Bush in fluid situations

He HAS TO force Bush into a fluid situation tonight. Somehow...

[beyurslf]

9. I hope he breaks the damn rules.

He needs to list Bush's flip flops and ask him to explain them. Say, who is flip flopping? Who says one thing and does another?" The list all the examples he can fit into his alloted time. (We all know there is no way there is time to list them all!)

[pdx_prog]

10. Sounds like a Matlock episode...lol

Bushies eyes would water up.....Rove would be babbling aimlessly in Georgies earpiece, trying to come back with a Rovian soundbyte.....the laughter in the audience drowns out Rove's stern orders, and finally Bush is confronted with the hard facts that he has to wing this on his own......

Finally, he comes up with something that he is sure will turn this around,....."I know you are, but what am I!?!"

[dolstein]

12. GROAN -- no lame joke lines -- PLEASE

Personally, I'd rather have Kerry play it straight. I just doesn't do funny well.

Kerry should take the high road. And if Bush starts throwing out one liners, he should give the following response: "The president may think this is a laughing matter. But I don't the parents, the spouses and the children of the more than 1000 American solidiers who have died in Iraq consider this a laughing matter. I think the Ameircan public deserves a serious discussion of the issues. And I'm prepared to give tham that discussion, even if the president is not."