In the debate tonight, what would happen if...

[WI_DEM]

Kerry, tall, intelligent and presidential as always--stays completely positive and just talks about his plans for creating jobs, health care, education and so on...while the chimp does nothing but attack, attack, attack with nothing positive. Meanwhile Kerry takes his rebuttal period just to kind of smile at Bush and shake his head and say, "This is what we get when you don't have a positive record to run on" and then begins speaking about what he will do specifically in the area being discussed.

Would that work? or would it give the advantage to Bush? A part of me thinks that it would resonate with debate watchers because Kerry would be positive and go into detail about what he wants to do as president to improve their lives while all Bush does is attack.

[Beetwasher]

1. Yes, It's Possible We Might See Something Like That

With a few references to Bush not living in reality and not owning up to the truth or being truthful w/ the American people about the economy, among other things...

Expect Bush to keep saying "He's not credible, he's not credible, he's going to raise taxes blah blah blah..." and Kerry to respond w/ something like "The President likes to talk about my credibility when he mislead us into war etc..."

[livetohike]

2. Yes! That would work

It's the undecided voters who need convinced. Let Bush look like the fool he is.

I think Kerry will be relaxed. Bush has the most to lose because he hasn't made a good impression in the first two debates.

I think Bush will lose it tonight. Too many things to remember and it is such hard work :-).

[Brotherjohn]

3. That's basically what he did in Debate #2, and it IS working.

In response to the very FIRST question:
"Cheryl, the president didn't find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, so he's really turned his campaign into a weapon of mass deception. And the result is that you've been bombarded with advertisements suggesting that I've changed a position on this or that or the other."

In response to the SECOND question:
"Now, the president... can't come here and tell you that he's created new jobs for America..."
"He can't come here and tell you that he's created health care for Americans..."
"He can't come here and tell you that he's left no child behind..."
"So what does he do? He's trying to attack me. He wants you to believe that I can't be president."

He would then follow with specifics of his plans.

He hammered on that point throughout the debate, all the while maintaining a calm, composed demeanor - and smile - when Bush attacked him (unlike Bush, he had the split-screen DOWN!)

As a result, now, whenever Bush attacks Kerry, I think most people say to themselves "You know, that IS all Bush does!"

[kentuck]

4. It might work but it is a gamble....

The press might report that Kerry came out passive and did not respond to Kerry's attacks??