Will Bush's people try to stop the split screen for the next debate?

[gatorboy]

Certainly they weren't expecting it for this one and neither was Bush. Otherwise, he probably wouldn't have let his guard down so much. Since they assumed there would be no split screen in this first debate, Bush let his guard down so the American people could get a good look at him without him realizing it: Pompous, fidgety, and plain dumb.

So how hard do you think they will push to keep the split screen out for the next debate? They certainly cannot afford for Bush to look as terrible a seconf time.

[Florida_Geek]

1. They are dealing with a Mad Man

IMHO, Kerry almost got Mad Georgie to blow his cool. I am thinking they will want him out of the next two debates.

[No Mandate Here.]

2. The rules specifically prohibited it this time.

We have heard about the rumored tantrum afterward by * with his puppeteers, but I am having a lot of fun imagining the language used by president Rove when they first split the screen. He HAS to have been on the phone with Murdoch and all of the other high muckety mucks at Faux instantly.

And they obviously ignored him!!!!!!!

I am a bit less cynical about the ownership of this pResident than I was before the debate, but now I am beginning to think that there will be a Terra October surprise just before the next debate, and they will try to cancel it.

[fishface]

3. The networks never signed off on Chimpys rules..

now we see why they didn't want their village idiot displayed on screen while Kerry was handing his ass to him. He looked like the petulant spolied brat he's always been. LOL

[fishface]

4. I'm not sure they can in a town hall setting..

plus the networks didn't give a shit what they wanted last time..why would they now?

[Disturbed]

5. Media is pleased.

They are pleased Kerry did so well because it gives them more ratings for the contest. Americans love contests, ya know.

[rullery]

6. Because the broadcasters would not play by the rules

that Rove tried to dictate to them, it made Bush look really bad. Look for Bush to withdraw from the next two debates, claiming that the media ambushed him when they wouldn't play by Rove's rules.
He simply cannot afford two more performances like the first one.
But whether Bush cancels the debates, or shows up for them, he is going to lose now.

[bushwakker]

7. Even the media whores won't abide that

there will be split screen.

[robbedvoter]

8. Faux has more leeway from RNC -they hoped Kerry would sigh

The other networks need to prove allegiance moore to fearless leader - they'll be more supine. I say, there won't be any split screens.

[gatorboy]

9. That's where I think it backfired for them.

Faux were expecting the split screen to make Kerry look bad and it blew up in there face...