The Presidential Debates

[ThomWV]

Looking forward to the Presidential debates, not the debates between the Democratic nominee wannabes, who do you think would hand Bush his ass on a platter best in a face to face debate?

In order I think the top-3 list would go like this:

Kucinich would eat Bush alive on every single issue
Kerry would make Bush look like an utter moron (not a difficult task)
Clark's intellect would dwarf the dwarf

Having said that I need to disclose, I am a Clark supporter, but I still think it would be Dennis who would do best.

What do you think?

Thom

[dogman]

1. Probably not

I don't think he will agree to a debate with Clark.

[ThomWV]

5. Don't Think So

I think that were the choice to be made by Bush alone he would take the coward's way out and refuse to debate Clark. At the same time I think Rove would insist that the debate go forward but Bush would not be a part of it in that he would resort to script rather than enguage in debate (where he would be trounced). I honestly beleive that Rove thinks he could spin anything the shrub said and that the loss wold be less by spin than it would be from a refusal to debate at all.

I would hope that in todays world that a sitting President could not refuse to debate without great loss of support from within his own party. They think this guy is their own personal warlord, an show of fear of the enemy, be it Al Quieda (sp?), or the Democratic candidate would be a sign of weakeness even the most diehard Republican would not stand for. Just my guess ....

Thom

[ShimokitaJer]

7. Not a chance Bush can avoid a debate

That old scripted debate strategy only worked in 2000 because Gore's handlers stupidly agreed to that format. That way the Republicans could pretend it was Gore who wanted to avoid a real debate.

This time around, our candidate has to refuse to accept the ridiculous restrictions on debate format that the Republicans thought up and Gore accepted. If we demand a real debate and force Bush to keep refusing, the public impression of Bush as a fighter will definitely start to die.

[ShimokitaJer]

2. I'd like to think Dennis could get his message across

But I have a feeling most people watching the debate are more interested in style than substance. Kucinich inspires me with his ideas, but I often cringe when I watch him delivering speeches because his delivery is simply loud rather than forceful, and he occasionally slips into different voices as if imitating naysayers. The famous "hello-o-o" line is a prime example. It struck me in the speeches in Iowa last night as well. If the public gave his ideas the attention they deserve, Bush would be toast, but I don't have that much confidence in most of the public.

[Killarney]

3. Clark would mop the floor with Bush in a fair debate

The key is to get a debate that isn't already skewed to Bush's favor (who the moderator is, what the questions are, that Bush gets the questions ahead of time, etc.).

[JNelson6563]

4. I think any of our candidates (except Lieberman)

could wipe the floor with the boy king.

Julie

[ShimokitaJer]

8. Transcript of Bush-Lieberman future debate

Bush: I am a compassionate conservative

Lieberman: Can't argue with that

Bush: I am strong on terror

Lieberman: Well, I'm almost as strong as you

Bush: My tax cuts are going to create a strong economy

Lieberman: Well, I guess I have to give you the benefit of the doubt on that one

Bush: I am the best presidential candidate in this race

Lieberman: It's hard to deny that, so I won't even try

[Mairead]

21. *snork* VERY good!

[BeatleBoot]

6. If Clark is the nominee

I think that the Bushies can pack up and go home -- game over for the Repukes -- no contest.

If Dean is the nominee, I think he'll easily hand Shrub his "ass on a platter", as you say, but winning southern states will be a daunting chore.

If Kerry, Gephardt, Edwards is the nominee, then same as Dean above.

With the rest - I'm uncertain.

No candidate bashing meant here. I like every one of them and I hope the best for all of us this fall!

[H2O Man]

9. Just for fun....

....wouldn't you like to see him on stage against Rev. Sharpton? I think that Edwards is one of the most capable one-on-one debaters. Dean would be fine. But my favorite choice is General Clark.

[LWolf]

10. I think you are right on.

I am a Kucinich supporter, and I know he'd take him on every issue.
Kerry would be the "presidential" presence on stage that would outshine the pretender. Clark would show America what a leader looks like. GWB is a foolish puppet in any of these men's shadow.

I also think Edwards would do a great job.

And, even though he's not my pick for president, I'd love to see GWB debate Sharpton. Just for fun.

[Mairead]

22. Sharpton's so fast mentally that Bush would just stand there, trying

to work out what's causing the repeated gales of audience laughter. Or he'd walk offstage in a fit of pique about the second time he was laughed at. Probably try to order Sharpton imprisoned as an 'enemy combatant'.

[Iverson]

23. heh heh

Maybe Sharpton would just get on the "no fly" list.

[leyton]

11. Edwards hands down.

Edwards has the debating skills to beat Bush on the issues, and he can drive a point home without getting his message mired in a bunch of details. Essentially, you could be doing your vacuum cleaning in your house but if Edwards were on the TV in the background, you'd know exactly what points he was trying to make.

What's more, Edwards would look good. In my humble opinion, Kerry can be aloof, Gephardt bland, Kucinich and Dean angry... but style-wise Edwards would mop the floor with Bush, out-charming him, out-Southerning him.

Clark would also do quite well, but the one time I've seen him speak in person he seemed to be riding the fence on some issues.

[mlawson]

28. Yep, Edwards is someone KKKRove does NOT want dumbya to dabate!

He probably has nightmares about John getting the nomination, and then Dumbo would *have* to debate him. Or would he?? The repukes would find some way out of it, and would stop at nothing to avoid it.

Always glad to see a new NC DUer. I'm in Asheville.

[cryofan]

12. Kucinich is my 1st choice, however, I think other Dems would be....

...better at besting Bush in a debate than Kucinich. Kucinich's ideas are brilliant, but some of the other Dem candidates are better speakers/debaters.

Best would be Edwards or Dean. They are the most skilled speakers/actors I think I have even seen in politics.

Clark would also do very well; also, if Clark is able to raise Bush's record in the Guard, that could be the Death Blow to Bush.

Also, I think Kerry would do well. Gephardt would do all right, too.

Any of them would do OK. I think Bush has to be one of the worst speaker/debater politicians (much less President or Presidential candidate) I have ever seen. I did not think Gore was very good, and he was a poor candidate. Put ANY of the above in Gore's place in 2000, and Bush would still be back in Texas.

[morgan2]

27. oh man that'd be great

if someone flat out asked him where he was during his last year in the national guard.

[Bombtrack]

13. I love the debate settings: Miami, St. Louis, Tempe Arizona

Clark could really use them to seal the deal in winning those 3 states to kill Bush

[Iverson]

14. academic debate vs. ass-whuppin'

I think that most, possibly all, of the Democratic candidates would make Bush look foolish in the formalized argument-rebuttal structure.

In a less formal arrangement, I think that Sharpton would most emphatically wipe the floor with Bush, to the merriment of all decent viewers.

[Amolibri]

15. incumbency has its advantages

While I agree that any of the Dem. candidates would 'mop the floor' with bush, don't forget that his 'handlers' are not to be underestimated. They will use any and all power and manipulation to make their guy look good. THAT is what needs to be prepared for and fought against. I agree, also, that Edwards is very good...he was impressive in the debates last week. It seemed that he and Dean were getting along quite famously. I'm most hopeful with the scenario of a Dean/Edwards ticket!!! What do you think?

[anti-bush]

16. Not sure

if Edwards would choose Dean as a running mate ;-)

[newyawker99]

18. Hi Amolibri!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Iverson]

20. as long as you asked ...

The point about his handlers is well taken, and I certainly appreciate how they might propagandize. You will remember how Reagan was coached for his debates with Carter, including the canned "There you go again," which the conservative media hailed as thoughtfulness.

As for the ticket I want, it will represent an actual left wing point of view. I am waiting to see who the Greens nominate before I decide who I'm supporting. Among the Dems, I find Kucinich very respectable.

[Amolibri]

24. Third party? Path to another "defeat".

Thanks for the welcome, NY'er!!! Glad to be among the "correct" people!!

I don't know about "waiting until we see who the Green Party nominates"...I'm still convinced that w/o Nader, the 2000 outcome might have been different. From inthesetimes.com:

Historian James Weinstein, founder of In These Times and, most recently, author of The Long Detour: The History and Future of the American Left, says progressives ought to take their cue from the religious right and encamp in the Democratic Party rather than back protest or third-party candidates who remain largely irrelevant within a national context.

We MUST unite, the sooner the better, because unless we want to risk 4 more years of "bushamerica" we need all opposition votes!!!!!!!

[Eric J in MN]

17. Reasons I'm pessimistic about effect of Presidential debates.

1) Bush can stand behind a podium and answer questions for 90 minutes. He's done it before and he'll do it, again.

2) No matter what happens during those 90 minutes, the rightwing pundits will be airing statements they practiced-in-advance immediately afterwards declaring Bush the winner and talking about how "strong" he was for a "strong" America.

[mot78]

19. It all depends on expectations

In the last election * only "won" the first debate because we under-estimated him. The second debate was a disaster because Gore's handlers went into a frenzy watching an SNL parody to coach him. I thought Gore did okay in the third debate though.

One thing that's crucial in this election is not to let Rove lower Bush*'s expectations. For every time he tries to lower them, we have to artificially pump them up again.

[Leilani]

29. Gore demolished Bush in the intellect dept.

But people "liked Bush more."

We need not only intelligence & issues, but a nice personality who can nail Bush before he knows what hit him.

I nominate the General who can cut him up while smiling.

Also, would love to see Bush/Clark debate military, foreign policy/ & national security.

[goodhue]

25. yes

Dennis would be best.
Edwards or Clark would also do pretty well.
Not so certain about Dean or Kerry.

[hellhathnofury]

26. Dean.

See: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=101054

[Bucky]

30. I'm for Clark, but my "Must See TV" debate wish is for Sharpton.

[MIMStigator]

31. * is finished if he has to debate Clark

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