How did we avoid a sitdown presidential debate?

[Awsi Dooger]

Tonight's format was originally supposed to be sitdown, identical to the VP debate. Many September news reports listed it as a sitdown.

I'm thrilled by this change. Sitdown was easily Bush's best format in 2000. He got giggly with moderator Jim Lehrer and had some canned laugh lines designed to connect with the audience. Of course, Gore's comatose performance in #2 after the sighs in debate #1 contributed.

I thought the Bush team supposedly got every advantage in debate negotiations other than three debates total? Did they really prefer a second podium debate to a sitdown? That strikes me almost as brilliant as insisting on foreign policy for debate #1.

Not only does a podium debate allow for Kerry to stay on attack without being seen as vicious from 3 feet away, but it also allows Kerry's height advantage to be on display for the opening handshake and after the debate. Prior to the sitdown debates, both 2000 and this year, the candidates were already seated before the primary TV coverage began.

Of course, we can also pray for more facial antics from Bush in this format. Remember, CSPAN shows splitscreen throughout.

[spanone]

1. Because in America, style trumps substance.

[gauguin57]

2. Since Bush's head is up his ass,

having a sit-down debate would render him unable to speak!




It's not a wrinkle, a back brace or a transmitter. It's just his lil' wings!

[Awsi Dooger]

3. LOL

Doesn't he employ an anal interpreter?

[tedoll78]

4. The height difference.

I am convinced that this is a major factor in why Kerry looked better in Debate #1. For the full 90 minutes, we saw Kerry towering over the top of his podium while Bush was peeking over the top of his. If not conscious, it was a subconscious influence on almost every person viewing the event.

Thank the GODS that Kerry stuck to wanting a third debate. And not only a third debate, but a debate in the format he wanted - and on the topics he wanted!

Thank goodness!