Bush wants only 2 debates (a seated format with no town hall-style questio

[papau]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/story/229862p-197426c.html


Bush wants only 2 debates (a seated format with no town hall-style questions)


WASHINGTON - President Bush wants to debate John Kerry only twice and will press for a seated format he believes favors his strengths, according to Bush campaign sources.
Bush has instructed his debate negotiators, led by former Secretary of State James Baker, to resist the plan proposed by the Commission on Presidential Debates for three contests.

Moreover, Bush hopes to eliminate a town hall-style format for the second debate, where the contenders would be questioned by undecided voters.

"Bush thinks he's better when everybody is seated at a table," a senior GOP source told the Daily News.

The President has told friends he prefers the seated format of his debate with Sen. John McCain, moderated by CNN's Larry King, during the 2000 GOP primaries.

Conversely, he harbors bad memories of debates with former Vice President Al Gore, where both candidates stood at podiums. "He didn't enjoy Al Gore stalking him all across the stage," one Bush adviser recalled.

Bush sources said the President is risking criticism by trying to limit debates but will not be damaged politically if a quick deal is reached with the Kerry camp and the commission.

"He'll be fine with two as long as the talks are resolved quickly and don't give the press a chance to hammer him for being chicken," one Bush campaign strategist said.<snip>

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. Kerry is taller and has a brain

no wonder.

[papau]

2. WashPost Ed: Don't Duck the Debates

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3992-2004Sep7.html

Don't Duck the Debates
Wednesday, September 8, 2004; Page A22


THIS IS, or so we are constantly told by partisans on both sides, the most important election of our lives -- at least. At the Republican convention last week, Vice President Cheney called it "one of the most important, not just in our lives, but in our history." You'd think, then, that both campaigns would be eager to see that voters get as much of a chance as possible to see the two candidates debate. The bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, which has sponsored such encounters since 1988, has proposed a schedule of three 90-minute presidential debates (one on foreign policy, one on domestic issues and one a town-hall-style session with undecided voters) along with a vice presidential debate.

Democratic nominee John F. Kerry accepted the proposal in July. But even as the time for the first debate nears -- it's set for Sept. 30 in Miami -- the Bush campaign hasn't committed and may be trying to limit the number of presidential debates to two. "We look forward to these debates," Bush campaign manager Ken Mehlman said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." "We look forward to having a debate about debates. We will, in an appropriate time, which is shortly, talk about our intended participation." Rather than debating about debates, President Bush should just say yes. Surely voters are entitled to at least the 4 1/2 hours of presidential debates the commission has proposed. <snip>

[Beetwasher]

21. Kerry Should Say It's Ok if Bush Sits, But I'm Standing Anyway!

and also say that he intends to show up for the town hall meeting anyway, even if Bush doesn't, because he is not afraid to take questions from undecided voters.

I think Kerry's holding all the cards here, he needs to be merciless and question Bush's manhood BIG TIME over this!

[blm]

22. Bush would spend 4 hours watching a football game, but not give the people

of this country 4 1/2 hours of debate.

Bush really hates the American citizens and doesn't want to be held up to scrutiny by them. He prefers his Saudi royal friends.

[sangh0]

3. Bush* is afraid to answer citizen's questions

His rallies are invitation only because he is afraid of Americans.

[WI_DEM]

4. I hope town meeting "debate" will go on and networks will cover

it anyway and allow Kerry to answer questions from undecided voters and draw attention to the empty stool (empty head) repersenting Bush. They did that in 1980 when Jimmy Carter skipped a debate with Ronald Reagan and John Anderson in September becuz he didn't want Anderson represented.

[klook]

14. Bush can't function without a script

Kerry's team must push for the town hall meeting. If Bush doesn't agree to it, Kerry should have it anyway. If he does, the media will come.

[billybob537]

5. If he has to stand

shithead might fall over,,,, HAHHHHAAAAAAAA

[still_one]

6. Kerry should insist on three debates

[Search Party]

7. can anyone say

Fucking Coward!!!!!!?

[JI7]

8. Kerry should say something about how he(Kerry) is not a great debator

but he feels the town hall thing is one of the greatest american traditions and example of democracy with regular people from across the country. that way he makes himself look good with the part about it being an american thing but he doesn't raise expectations for him more than for bush.

i can see bush not doing a great job but he didn't mess up that bad so the whores say he won.

[Spiffarino]

35. Kerry said on the Daily Show that * is a very good debater

...and that da Shrub has won every debate he's been in. This is the perfect approach.

The Shrub has been the beneficiary of lowered expectations as designed by Rove. It's a great strategy because, when it works, all he has to do is pretty much show up and not vomit on the stage. If Kerry can effectively turn the tables and lower his own expectations - or raise Bush's - the Rove regime is in serious trouble.

[kentuck]

9. Less likely to get assaulted if seated..

Doesn't want someone to walk over and choke the lying shit out of him.

[zbdent]

10. The spin is now that the expectations are being lowered

so that, if Bush manages to not make himself into a total buffoon in the debates, then "he won".

We should start pushing that "If George W. Bush manages to walk across the stage in the debates without falling on his face, it DOES NOT MEAN THAT HE DID WELL!".

If Kerry manages to debate Bush to the point that Georgie-Porgie runs home in tears with a huge wet stain on the front of his pants, they will say that Kerry was way too mean and that George Bush won the debate. (Remember Gore's "sighs", Lazio's "invasion of Hillary's space"?)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

11. Here's the stools Bush wants for the debate

Bush stool:



Kerry stool:

[Lefta Dissenter]

18. bush's stool choice

[ibegurpard]

12. careful now

this sounds an awful lot like "please don't throw me in that briar patch." If a big deal is made about how this format doesn't favor Bush and he succeeds in keeping himself from drooling then the media will crow about how he has defied expectations again. The Kerry campaign needs to insist that he stick to the schedule and formats agreed upon but I don't think they should publicize this too much.

[Blecht]

13. I think his handlers are terrified of one simple question

"How many times have you been arrested, Mr. President?"

http://onesimplequestion.blogspot.com/

[joefree1]

16. What is your opinion of the String Theory?

What's the price of one gallon of gas divided by 1003 soldiers?

[Blecht]

28. Well, er ...

"String thurry is just that; it's a thurry, and it uses strings. Freedom ... Saddam ... liberty .... 911 ... terr ...turning the corner."

[SammyWinstonJack]

45. LMAO!

Excellent!

[merh]

15. Of course seated, he doesn't want to fall during the debates!

He is so afraid of being confronted by anyone who has not been brain washed!

[kwolf68]

17. Kerry should respond

“To be perfectly honest I wanted 4 or 5 debates. I believe in this very contested election year the American people should have an opportunity to see Me and Mr. Bush in an open-forum, unscripted, talking to THEM about THEIR lives about the issues THEY deal with….

No more photo-ops, no more invite only campaign rallies … Let’s get together in one place and face off…My ideas versus his ideas and allow the American people to see us both in the same format on the same playing field…

That is the spirit of fair-play and competition and would do nothing but add credibility to our democratic process.

That being said, I understand time constraints are challenging so instead of asking for 5 debates I have and will continue to support the Commission’s recommendation on the 3 debates just as they had planned.

Though I would rather have more debates I am not afraid of the current format as outline. Is Mr Bush and why?”

[Pirate Smile]

19. I'd like to hear some mocking comment about if * wants to

bring Cheney with him.

We need to mock and ridicule these guys.

[Clinton Crusader]

20. * wants, * wants....

PLEASE! If KERRY was whining about I want, I want, the mediawhores would be all over this. Kerry's a wimp, he wont stick to the schedule, he wont do the debates, the repugs would be crucifying him, grinding him under their heels, he doesnt want to talk about the issues, doesnt want to be asked any questions, what is he hiding??? It would be a feeding frenzy!

WE should make THIS a feeding frenzy for US!
:kick:

[progressivebydesign]

23. Bush will be sitting on a phone book!! Or maybe a booster chair!

One of those plastic ones from Denny's restaurant!

He doesn't want to stand up, because Kerry looks so tall and presidential. I also think that Bush is having medical problems... That vasal vagal thing that made him choke on the pretzel (supposedly), also makes people pass out if it gets too warm or stressful while standing.

Bush is a coward. Afraid of John Kerry... afraid of voters.. afraid of being seen as short. He IS Napoleon!

[cthrumatrix]

24. bush is the best debater - a "master debater"

sarcasm off

[MrBenchley]

25. Is he going to demand loyalty oaths from people at the debates?

[kwolf68]

26. Howard Dean is short

I watched the Dem debates and Dean appears “short” when he first walks onto the stage, however, you completely forget about his physical size when he starts to talk.

If Shrub had something remotely interesting, provocative or inspirational to say then standing up wouldn’t be a problem. WHEN IN THE HELL will the people realize Bush is a complete loser.

Had he not been born into wealth and privilege he would be in jail, homeless, in a drug rehab center or living off welfare.

[cthrumatrix]

27. it's clearly a way to hide the "shortfalls of his perosna"

shrubya will have cheat sheets under the table

[devinsgram]

39. No, thats where Cheyney will be, feeding him answers

[DemocratSinceBirth]

29. Bush Is A Pussy....

Afraid to fight in Nam....


Afraid to debate Kerry....


What a fucking worthless coward.....

[LunaC]

30. It's that nextempereous.....um, extemperate.....um, free talkin' stuff

that he's afraid of. Bush without a script is a dangerous thing indeed!

REAL people asking REAL questions must be avoided at ALL costs.

[GreenPartyVoter]

31. *'s long torso will make him look taller sitting down.

[Mike L]

32. Mock Bush: "What is George Bush afraid of?"

[RedEarth]

33. Seated....that way you can't see his knees shaking....chicken shit

[Stephanie]

34. Seated because he doesn't want America to see HOW SHORT HE IS

He is going to look like a midget next to Kerry and he knows it.

[Mike L]

36. "Special format" = Cheney holding his hand.

[elehhhhna]

37. JK Must Counter Offer with "Man to Man" ask-each-other-Q's debate.

[lunarboy13]

38. The World's Most Powerful Leader, The President of the U.S.

feels he will appear weak in a town-hall style debate format. How does this figure? How can our leader be so ineffective when in front of the people answering questions posed by the people? And hoiw can we even tolerate his admission that he is weak in such a format?

[Jim__]

40. Kerry should go to the Town Hall style debate, and

the networks should cover it. Let bush hide.

[PittLib]

41. did you ever notice...

they didn't show Muppet legs either?

[newyawker99]

48. Hi PittLib!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

42. Maybe Kerry should just announce a Town Hall debate anyway

Even though it might be risky, he could invite Michael Peroutka, the candidate of the ultra conservative Constitution Party as well as Ralph Nader to debate, and also extend an open invitation to George Bush. Peroutka by getting media attention might even draw votes away from Bush and probably would even attack Bush as not being a true conservative (he is Pat Buchanan's choice for President).

[hippiegranny]

43. Kerry should NOT play Mr. Nice Guy here

Bushler will take advantage of it, all the wingers will gloat over it, and the rest of us miss out on a chance to see Bush repeatedly have his ass handed to him.

This is one of those times when it is OK for Kerry to state his own terms and not give in to Bush's crybaby/bully tactics.

[ItsMyParty]

44. Kerry should do a 'trade off' and say...

..if Bush wants to cancel one, fine; but I insist that for the other two we stand as my demand...and George can bring a box to stand on if he wants (if he can't find one, I think there's a prison in Iraq that can outfit him with one, complete with black honcho and matching hood with wire attachments for accessories.)

[Hubert Flottz]

46. Bush was a Coward during Viet Nam!

Bush is still a COWARD today!

[ComerPerro]

47. It has to be seated, Kerry is taller

Bush supporters are so delusional that they actually believe he is tall. That is how stupid they are.

And, I am guessing we will only see pre-submitted questions.

Hell, many questions might even be written by the Bush administration.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

49. seated, Bush will be much taller than Kerry

due to the crap load in his pants.