It all depends on the audience's questions tonight

[bluestateguy]

Kerry and the Baby Bush can prepare as best as they can, but it will come down to the types of questions the audience asks.

Examples:

If a gay man gets up and asks Bush why he should not be allowed to get married, Bush will be in trouble.

If somebody gets up and asks Kerry a death penalty question, he could be hurt.

That being the case, I see more potentially risky questions for Bush rather than Kerry. I've seen Kerry do these meetings before, including among non-supportive audiences, and he always does well. As for Bush and his "folksiness", that may be the case when he is surrounded by sychophants who have had to sign loyalty oaths (or put in hours at Bush-Cheney headquarters) to attend. Folskiness may have been an asset in 2000, when many Americans wanted a friend in the White House, amid an era of peace and prosperity. Now, however, these are serious times, and Americans need a serious person in that office. Everytime Bush lets off some wisecrack or joke, Kerry should return to the seriousness of the times we face "The President may think (issue X) is a joking matter, but the consequences are very serious..."

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. Kerry can answer a hard question and Bush cannot!

[Mojambo]

2. If you've seen some of the Weld/Kerry debates

You'd know he'll have no problems dealing with a death penalty question.

[catchthefever]

3. Kerry can speak English, bush cannot.

[Southsideirish]

4. There's always one questioner that makes you embarrassed for

them or that asks a really bizarre question. I think the candidates know that and are leery of it,too.

The one thing you didn't anticipate gets asked and there is that moment of absolute terror before making yourself begin to speak.

[DemFromMem]

5. Lack of applause could be disconcerting for Bush

He's use to the "applause" light and he could react like a comic whose not getting laughs. I think the lack of audience reaction last week threw him off.

[necso]

6. Just who is

in the "audience" anyway?