Anybody else annoyed?

[Sharpieman]

About the "debate" rules? These two canidates are so scared to make a straight answer that they need the questions before hand so they both can create the best spin. Its bullshit.

[sterlingice]

About the "debate" rules? These two canidates are so scared to make a straight answer that they need the questions before hand so they both can create the best spin. Its bullshit.
Wow. I didn't read that. Blech. So much for actually getting answers from the candidates themselves. Not that they don't work for days in advance prep'ing for a debate. But now I know why Bush can sit there and tour Florida a day before the debate- his handlers just prepare him what he's going to say and he only needs a couple half days of coaching to be ready.

Well, this certainly favors Bush since, if things keep going as they have been so far, then he wins in a rout. Kerry's last best chance is (was) the debates.

SI

[haji1]

Why is Kerry agreeing to this format then? Does he not understand the position he is in? Do his people tell him everything is ok, don't believe the polls? It is like both candidates handlers are too afraid that their candidate will screw up, so they want to take the opportunity out of their hands.

I am voting for Richard Pryor anyway. Or none of the above.

[Joe]

annoyed, yes... surprised, no. I also don't like the fact that we won't be seeing any "reaction shots" from the candiates... Guess they don't want us to see them checking their watches like Bush Sr. in '92.

[Peregrine]

I laughed and laughed when I saw the rule that said all questions asked must be rhetorical. Let's not put anyone on the spot or force them to give a yes or no answer, that would be too confrontational, like you'd see in some kind of debate!

[Flasch186]

The only hope is that Kerry ignores the rules and strays from them. Then it would be to his advantage.....actually whoever leaes the script first probably will look better barring some major gaffe.

[Jets80]

The only hope is that Kerry ignores the rules and strays from them. Then it would be to his advantage.....actually whoever leaes the script first probably will look better barring some major gaffe.

Then he would be called a flip flopper by the Bush Camp. Already heard them talking about that on the radio.

[The Afoci]

Kerry has to make sure he doesn't pull a Gore and attack Bush who is great at getting a point across without looking like he is upset. And make sure he doesn't show his glowing orange penis on the air.

[GrantDawg]

The networks have not signed the agreement (and say they will show reaction shots) nor have any of the moderators. I don't think a good portion of this agreement will stand.

[Noop]

Slowing we descend until we will have robots running our country.

[rkmsuf]

An big long giant agreement to have a conversation. Nice.

The way this is shaping up I'd rather see the Bushs and Kerrys square off at good game of Pig in a Poke.

[mgadfly]

Why is Kerry agreeing to this format then? Does he not understand the position he is in? Do his people tell him everything is ok, don't believe the polls? It is like both candidates handlers are too afraid that their candidate will screw up, so they want to take the opportunity out of their hands.

I am voting for Richard Pryor anyway. Or none of the above.

I can think of a couple reasons:

1) He doesn't think Bush can memorize the canned answers;
2) He may be "down" in the national polls, but the battle ground states are still too tight to be concerned (who cares if more Alaskan's, Texans, Alabamans and Nebraskans are planning to vote against him, he lost those electoral votes before he ever entered the presidential race).

He isn't, and shouldn't be, feeling too desperate until the 9 point margin transfers to actually contested states. Bush showed in 2000 that it doesn't matter if you lose the popular election.

[Leonidas]

Why is Kerry agreeing to this format then? Does he not understand the position he is in? Do his people tell him everything is ok, don't believe the polls? It is like both candidates handlers are too afraid that their candidate will screw up, so they want to take the opportunity out of their hands.

I am voting for Richard Pryor anyway. Or none of the above.

As I understand it Kerry gave away the farm on format to get Bush into that third debate.

[Buddy Grant]

I am especially annoyed at the decree barring direct physical contact between the two debaters, I had quite a large amount of money riding on this debate to be a 4 round knock out. The other rule that gets me is the rule that all the audience members have to be a specific body temperature, testing for that could be tricky and kind of intrusive. Oh, also the "no shooting guns in the air to accent or illustrate a point" regulation will really limit these debaters options.

[wbatl1]

I would have to believe that Kerry's camp agreed to this clause because it will help them just as much as it will help Bush. Bush has always been prepared and good in debates, whether he knew the questions or not. Kerry's camp wants to make sure their canidate looks good also, since he has not had the experience and success Bush has had in debates.

[Arles]

I think the getting the questions beforehand would help Kerry more than Bush. That way he can prepare one of his "nuanced" answers ;). In all seriousness, this is a little silly. The point of the debates is to get a better idea of what the candidate really thinks instead of what their handlers think will be the best political answer.

I am glad to see that both FOX and NBC have told the candidates that they are not going to follow the filming "rules" and will show their opponent during answers and film as they originally planned on doing. Kudos to both.

[mgadfly]

I would have to believe that Kerry's camp agreed to this clause because it will help them just as much as it will help Bush. Bush has always been prepared and good in debates, whether he knew the questions or not. Kerry's camp wants to make sure their canidate looks good also, since he has not had the experience and success Bush has had in debates.
Um, this isn't Kerry's first debate, nor does he have a history of being poor at it, in fact, quite the opposite.

Bush pushed for this format after Kerry agreed to the original proposal made by the debate people (drawing a blank on what they are called and too lazy to look it up). I'm not sure who it helps more, but I think Kerry's team felt having three debates was more important than the format (only time will tell if they were right).

Does anyone know what time the debates are on?

[CamEdwards]

I believe the debates are on at 9 p.m. Eastern.

I keep hearing talk about how Kerry shouldn't adhere to the rules of the debate (not only from Flasch, but from various Democratic talking heads). As someone who's voting for Bush, I think it would be an excellent idea for Kerry to act as if the rules don't apply to him.

[rkmsuf]

I believe the debates are on at 9 p.m. Eastern.

I keep hearing talk about how Kerry shouldn't adhere to the rules of the debate (not only from Flasch, but from various Democratic talking heads). As someone who's voting for Bush, I think it would be an excellent idea for Kerry to act as if the rules don't apply to him.

9 pm...can't preempt Survivor!

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

I believe the debates are on at 9 p.m. Eastern.

I keep hearing talk about how Kerry shouldn't adhere to the rules of the debate (not only from Flasch, but from various Democratic talking heads). As someone who's voting for Bush, I think it would be an excellent idea for Kerry to act as if the rules don't apply to him.
Wait, you're voting for Bush? Who knew? :D

Seriously, I think if Kerry deviated from the rules first it would come across as if he thinks he's too good for the rules, but everyone else has to follow them. Which, in my opinion won't play well to undecideds, especially if Bush keeps his cool.

If Bush deviates from the rules first, he'll come off as a cowboy, disregarding even the simplest of debate rules showing that his disrespect for rules isn't limited to the UN. That will play very well for John Kerry.

I have no idea who will blink first, but it will at least make it intereting.

[Flasch186]

An big long giant agreement to have a conversation. Nice.

The way this is shaping up I'd rather see the Bushs and Kerrys square off at good game of Pig in a Poke.

"Pig in a Poke....it pays to be a glutton. Pig in a Poke OINK OINK.

Pig in a Poke....it could be all or nothin'. Pig in a poke OINK OINK"

[sterlingice]

Wait, you're voting for Bush? Who knew? :D

Seriously, I think if Kerry deviated from the rules first it would come across as if he thinks he's too good for the rules, but everyone else has to follow them. Which, in my opinion won't play well to undecideds, especially if Bush keeps his cool.

If Bush deviates from the rules first, he'll come off as a cowboy, disregarding even the simplest of debate rules showing that his disrespect for rules isn't limited to the UN. That will play very well for John Kerry.

I have no idea who will blink first, but it will at least make it intereting.
No, it won't. That's the point. Kerry is behind and thus needs to be aggressive. Bush has absolutely no reason to deviate from the rules as if things go as they have so far, he wins. So, for his handlers, they just have to give him safe, canned answers. Kerry is the one who needs the points and if he tries to greatly deviate from the format, Bush will cry foul as he did in the 2000 debate against Gore (I forget debate it was).

SI

[Samdari]

I am annoyed that Ralph Nader is not involved.

That is the only thing that would have provided any hope of this thing being interesting to watch.

[rkmsuf]

http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/USPics40/perot2.jpg

[sabotai]

The "debates" are going to be so boring...all of the interesting stuff happens when the canidates go at it. That's not going to happen, so I have to wonder if anything new is going to come out of these "debates" or not. I don't think we'll see anything more than just shortened speeches of the same rhetoric we've been hearing all summer.

[ice4277]

I seriously am beginning to wonder if either candidate can think for himself.

[JeffNights]

I would have to believe that Kerry's camp agreed to this clause because it will help them just as much as it will help Bush. Bush has always been prepared and good in debates, whether he knew the questions or not. Kerry's camp wants to make sure their canidate looks good also, since he has not had the experience and success Bush has had in debates.


Well you got the prize for "Most ridiculous and comepletel unfactual post" for this thread.

JACKASS

[Buccaneer]

Well you got the prize for "Most ridiculous and comepletel unfactual post" for this thread.

JACKASS
And you get the runner-up prize?

Just like the conventions, network "interviews" and the basically most of the campaign, it's all about style. Clinton made that a winning strategy and it would be foolish for any candidate, so controlled by their handlers, to be real (why else would Kerry paint his head orange? Think he would do that if someone hadn't told him to?). Besides, I have a hunch that a majority of voters really know that what they say is a bunch of BS. Amusingly, there are still those out there thinking what they say on the campaign and for the media means something. The TV media has to be a big part of the blame with its tabloid and "let's-get-them" mentality. But the robot comment is right to some degree - we cannot accept looking "bad" or real on TV because of the clamoring consequences that would bring.

[judicial clerk]

I wish Reagan and Clinton were debating. that would be pretty cool.

[Buccaneer]

I wish Lincoln or TR were debating. All substance, no style. If either one of them were debating Reagan, it would just be a humorous gab fest. If it was Bush, he would be so nervous that nothing would come out. If it was Kerry, he would just dissolve into a pile of worthless orange goo. If it was Clinton, he would be trying to mug the camera and get the sound turned off. If it was Bush I, he would just leave.

[Neuqua]

I want to see Lincoln debate.