How will the Shrub avoids debating Kerry ?

[DaveFL99]

He's been tripping all over himself lately. From promising to do his best to harm the US to describing sovereignty as being sovereign.

His neurologists is definitely having a tough time adjusting his meds so what excuse do you think he'll use for avoiding debates ? There are usually 3 but I'm betting we'll be lucky to see one and that will probably be hosted by Fox.

I bet it'll be terrorism. He's too busy with hands on management of the fight against terrorism to be involved in debates. He wouldn't really say he's too busy clearing brush on the ranch would he ?

[Bowline]

1. He's very busy these days...

...learning to correctly pronounce nook-yu-luhr.

[wurzel]

2. You are right. Either that or he will demand questions in advance.

I do not believe the debates will happen. This is a guy who has been scripted for three years and even screws that up. No way they are going to allow this guy to face Kerry.

[Warpy]

3. Right, he will be far too busy being presidential

to take time out for debates with another candidate for the job. I mean, the job is his. His daddy said so.

Of course, all this hard presidential work of his will not cut into his vacation schedule. He'll have to do a lot of resting up after that convention thingie, and wasn't one windbag speech enough, Karen? Why repeat parts of it out of sequence in a sham debate against that other fella? After all, this is gonna always be Bush's job. His daddy said so.

Besides, acting like a trained monkey with a fella who doesn't own the job like he does is beneath his dignity. It aint presidential.

[Hawkeye-X]

4. He can't. Committed to 3 debates.

Can't wait for him to fall flat and make him look even dumber than a <box of rocks, Hummer, sack of hammers, flock of seagulls, a brick on the wall... take your pick>

Hawkeye-X

[calico1]

6. It doesn't mean anything that he already

comitted. Do you expect Republicans to keep promises? He could use any number of excuses. He is too busy being President and protecting us from the evil doers. National security could be put at risk if he debates Kerry. They could both be in danger of being killed if they appear together. Not safe. The American people already know the President and debates are useless.

If he does accept I suspect they will demand to have the questions picked before hand and the panel to be pre approved by Bush.

[DaveFL99]

10. Debates wouldn't be useless

Having both of them in front of the nation for comparison would be mahvalooous.

I think Rove will do anything he can to avoid debates.

[calico1]

14. No, no, no!

I was trying to think like a Republican and think of the excuses they would come up with--such as "debates are outdated and useless." That is certainly not *my* opinion!

[Sparkly]

16. Right -- they'll ask for Q's in advance so Chimp can rehearse, and then

they'll complain "it's all rehearsed in advance, anyway."

[Yupster]

30. He's debated in every election he's ever run

He debated Gary Mauro when he was running for reelection as governor even when he was up by 30-40 % in the polls, and he thought Mauro was just in the race to dirty him up for the presidential rn.

He debated Gore twice (thrice?).

If he wasn't afraid to debate Anne Richards, he's sure not going to be afraid to debate John Kerry.

He'll debate because he always has.

[DaveFL99]

8. I don't think he committed to those.

The last I'd heard he was down to one and I'm sure if Fox hosts it he will get the questions in advance.

I really want to see him in 3 debates because he's been so lost for the last week. The pressure is getting to him so I can't imagine how bad he'd be in a third debate after being beaten down twice.

Heh, I'd even forgotten about the 'Rich people just avoid paying taxes anyway' remark. That was priceless.

[Lerkfish]

35. actually, my understanding is only that Kerry/Edwards agreed to 3 debates

unless that has changed recently. The white house has not said whether they will debate, or what format or how many.

please someone correct me if I'm wrong here. I would LOVE to be wrong. I'd LOVE to see shrub melt to worthless goo under hard debate.

:)

[XanaDUer]

5. Heh, heh

After Bush's disasterous and embarrassing performance in front of the Journalists of Color, I can tell Cheney must have smacked him around and made him appear in front of a group of clapping Repukes touting his healthcare medical accounts yesterday.

He seemed like he had been carefully coached, on meds, with a preselected audience, to make him not look as stupid ( did not work) as he did that other day.

So, Bush in a debate against someone (anyone) as smart and articulate as Kerry? Hmmmm, don't know how they will dodge that one.

I cannot even remember him debating Gore. He must have.

[canuckybee]

7. He may have less to lose

by avoiding the debates, than by participating in them. His base is stupidly solid, they will support whatever crap he spews. They might well fall for the notion that "it is too dangerous" or " he is too busy". He has everything to lose by debating Kerry.

What about the Cheney/Edwards debate? Do they have a shot at coming off well in that one. Personally I think Edwards will cream him, but I know republicans are equally convinced this one is a no brainer, that Cheney will wipe the floor with Edwards.

[DaveFL99]

11. Edwards v. Cheney

just can't be as one sided as The Shrub v. anybody, maybe even Barney.


I so want to see The Shrub up there. He's avoided press conferences for 3.5 years so he has no experience dealing with confrontation.

[cheezus]

9. Terralert!

[Sparkly]

12. "National Security Reasons"

Maybe he'll try to do it by video remote, so he can read cue cards.

[Ernesto]

13. He will debate

But he will be prepared because he will have the questions in advance.... Rove would NEVER agree to expose chimp to a spontaneous disscussion.... & don't forget that after Gore mopped the floor with him, the press said chimp won the last debates.

[graywarrior]

17. This is my dream scenario

At the debate(s), Bush crumples, chin quivering, unable to answer really, really average questions. Kerry leaves his podium, walks over to Bush, puts his arm around him and says" It's ok, I can take it from here."

[Stuckinthebush]

15. I do wonder if they will find a way to avoid them

It makes little sense for Bush to debate Kerry at this point. Kerry would crush him, and the GOP knows this. Bush has his solid base locked up, nothing will cause them to change their vote. What he and Kerry are shooting for is the small "swing" vote. A mediocre or poor Bush showing in the debates loses this vote for Bush - or at least a large portion of it. By refusing debates either because of terror concerns or some other manufactured reason, the swing voters may be pissed, but then again, may not if the reason seems valid enough.

In summary:

Debates = loss of swing voters to Kerry under just about any circumstance.

No Debates = loss of a few swing voters to Kerry.

Strategically, the no debates option is the best way to go for Bush and I wouldn't be surprised if Rove and gang reluctantly agree.

[AmerDem]

18. I just hope we have one were the general public...

not hand picked or with scripted questions get to ask the question personally to him! Almost four years of this fool avoiding press conferences and appearing on television in front of hand picked back slappers. Enough is enough!

The second this chimp has to stand and speak before a diverse group with out a script he self destructs. This is the real character of this guy. I think I read after his last official press conference where the media asked him some slighty rough questions ( which of course he totally came off as a fool ) he was heard telling aids to "Keep these Mother Fuckers away from me"

[DaveFL99]

21. That's good. I like that

[randome]

19. The best thing for Kerry to do

would be to insist on three debates come hell or high water. After two such disasters, the Kerry camp can graciously back out of the last, thereby showing pity to a wounded animal.

[Norquist Nemesis]

20. He won't avoid. He's reducing expectations so that

when he does debate the faithful and maybe a few fence-sitters will cheer and be convinced, "Yeah!! He's back!"

This administration is all about image. It's in each an every thing they do from the high-power lights illuminating the Statue of Liberty over Bush's shoulder to the Made in the USA stickers on boxes stamped made in China. They know exactly what they're doing every step of the way.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

36. Yes, there will be debates

First Presidential Debate:
Thursday, September 30
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

Vice Presidential Debate:
Tuesday, October 5
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Second Presidential Debate:
Friday, October 8
Washington University
St. Louis

Third Presidential Debate:
Wednesday, October 13
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

[olddem43]

22. The so-called "Debates" will be carefully scripted -

All Bush will have to do is remember his lines. He'll stumble through and the RW spin doctors and RW media will declare him the "winner."

[NewJeffCT]

23. Bush will crush Kerry in the debates

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but the media and the RNC will set the bar so f-ing low for Bush that when he doesn't come out drooling and shrieking "Redrum, Redrum" it will look like a huge victory for Bush.

Don't forget, in 2000, Gore was known as a great debater after destroying Kemp & Perot on previous occasions. While Gore may have won on the facts & on knowledge, him rolling his eyes and looking condescending cost him dearly because of the Corporate Massmedia spin.

This is how I see it: Bush will rehearse most of the answers ahead of time and spit out pleasant sounding, feel-good patriotic platitudes full of lies. Kerry will give long, fact-based answers and will be accused of being a distant, aloof, elitist, out-of-touch intellectual.

[DaveFL99]

24. I disagree

I'm pretty sure he'll end up drooling and screaming "redrum, redrum".

[Yupster]

31. What's

redrum?

[Inland]

26. Well, yeah, Gore screwed up.

Gore was just, godawful horrible in the debates.

[NewJeffCT]

27. I wouldn't say godawful horrible

But, going in, he had a reputation as a great debater - so, something must have happened to get him to f-up so badly. Or, is it just that Bush is better than many give him credit for? He also beat Ann Richards in the debates for governor, I thought?

[Inland]

28. Gore was awful, and Bush

did what all dummies do in debates--acted as if what he said were true. After all, to win a debate doesn't mean to be right or wrong, its to convince others you are right or wrong. Bush is convincing because he seems convinced.

[Yupster]

32. What was the deal when Gore

walked into Bush's ear while he was talking in the town hall forum debate. That was plain weird. I thought he was going to ask BUsh where the restroom was.

[Bandit]

25. I think he will demand Cheney appears with him so we can see his body

language. If Cheney is not allowed to appear with him then they will not allow them to go forward. Afterall there is Body language to think about..

[opihimoimoi]

29. There will be no debates: As of late; everytime he opens his mouth

at a speech...he loses 857,687.008 votes

It would be far wiser to claim golf committment than to risk losing even more votes.

[cynatnite]

33. Journeys w/George

I watched this for the first time today.

The impression I got was that he had been campaigning for some time. He was used to having to be on his guard and watching what he says. He screwed up a few times, but not in a major way.

Gore lost because of how he acted and not on what he knew.

In a debate today, I think Kerry would :spank: Bush soundly and not make the same mistakes that Gore did.

I also think Bush has been in the white house too much and I think he also believes his own delusions.

The girl said Bush grew into being a candidate after some time and practice. Bush used Clinton's personal life to campaign with and cheated.

It's a whole new ball game now. Entirely different world than it was then.

Bush will only have his patriotism and his so-called war on terrorism to fall back on. Anything else, Kerry will nail him to the wall. If Bush goes after Kerry's record, he might as well get in a car and go back to Texas.

Cyn:)

[opihimoimoi]

37. I totally agree. This time around will be a lot different

Of course, there is the chance they will have something nefarious.conniving up their sleeves... and catch Kerry off guard/by suprise/unawares.

But Kerry is honed razor sharp...like a scapel. the odds lie with Kerry. Bush has to resort to cheating, lying, and stealing...not really family values stuphs....

[Arkana]

34. Oh, he won't try to avoid the debates

That would project pure cowardice, and the spin machine is so dizzy right now that I don't know how they'd rationalize it.

HOWEVER...

What the Shrubites will do is attach all sorts of ludicrous conditions to the debate, such as making sure Duhbya knows the questions beforehand, keeping unfriendly people off the panel, and (most likely) allowing him to bring his stuffed bear and feather pillow.

NOTE: If he falls asleep, Uncle Dick will stand in for him.

[GaryL]

41. That's fine.

Kerry will be in the lead going into the debates and can leak every condition the dim one is asking for. I'd be tempted to say he is awol again but Kerry won't.

[uconnyc]

38. I hope there aren't any debates

I hope there aren't any debates.

As long as * does not get a massive bump after the convention, this election is Kerry's to lose. Debates, especially the way they are spun by the RNC and media, are no win for us.

[cynatnite]

39. What if...

Kerry were to step up and challenge publicly challenge Bushy to a debate?

Cyn:)

[Lefty48197]

40. Terror alert raised to RED!

Sorry Kerry, I'm too important to participate in your little debate, while we're at war.

[tedoll78]

42. Ya know what I'm looking forward to?

THAT moment. You know the one.

Kerry, standing tall next to Bush - the shorter of the two.

It may not be conscious in the mind of the voter, but the image can stick. People, aware or not, do factor this into their voting decisions. And there's a definite trend of the taller candidate winning.

I wonder if the pundits will comment on it this year? They usually do.

[cynatnite]

43. Sounds Great, but

Didn't Gore try to do that?

It'd have to be some way where it wouldn't look weird.

Cyn:)