Gallup Organization selected the "uncommitted" voters..

[Owlet]

..who will make up the audience and provide the questions for tonight's debate.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/10/08/uncommitted_to_fill_2d_debate_audience/

Screened and selected by the Gallup Organization, a group of more than 100 residents of the St. Louis area will be the on-site audience. Many who will participate have said they are leaning toward -- but are not committed to -- either major candidate, said Frank Newport, editor in chief of The Gallup Poll. In the parlance of political polling, these are known as "soft leaners."

Hers's a pic of Gallup's uncommitteds.

[Arancaytar]

1. "soft leaners" indeed.

Maybe in the sense of leaning towards someone with a severely softened brain.

[pelagius]

2. An "uncommitted" at this point...

...is either a (a) Republican or -- god forbid! -- Democrat agonizing over whether to cast a vote across party lines, (b) a Naderite still trying to convince himself that * and Kerry are identical, (c) a moron who likes attention.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Or a conflicted person

whose religious beliefs (and his pastors) tell him not to vote for any pro-choice candidate, but his gut instinct is that Bush is a moron ruining this country.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. If the audience is obviously not balanced

with 'soft Kerry' or 'soft Bush', will the media notice and say anything about it?

[Arancaytar]

5. Pot won't call the kettle black.

Fox News: "The debate last night was a stunning performance, in which Kerry managed to outwit his opponent in spite of overwhelming odds facing him, as the audience turned out to be handpicked supporters of Bush. This was another deliberate attempt at giving an unfair advantage to George W. Bush."

Frankly, I don't see it happening. Do you? ;)

[emulatorloo]

6. Kerry can handle and "turn" hostile questioners . . .Bush Can't

at least that is my perception.

Kerry gives hostile questioners respect, and can often bring them to his side.

[secular_warrior]

7. Exactly - Kerry is a good, old fashioned Democrat who can deal

with a little free speech. He is accustomed turning around hostile fire and coming out with a victory. Kerry thrives on pressure and is not afraid to mix it up with protesters.

This is in stark contrast to Bush who can't handle criticism of any kind, and especially can't stand when he is confronted with the truth.