talking point on Bush dodging the DEBATE

[alonso_quijano]

So Bush is trying to weasel out of (at least) one debate.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0903gop-notebook03.html

Of course he is--he's not smart, he knows he's not smart, and most importantly Karl Rove knows he's not smart.

But Bush's stupidity cannot be the talking point. America, apparently, and Bush supporters particularly, don't care. They've accepted it, and even embraced it as a strength. If we keep pushing that point, we look like librul intaleckshul elitists.

The talking point needs to be: Bush doesn't have the balls to debate Kerry. Yeah, I know, it's sexist and demeaning, but our target audience for these points doesn't care about that. Reframe the issue--it's not about intelligence, it's about courage (and in the world of conservatives, it's about masculinity).

If "balls" is too inappropriate for the forum, make it Bush isn't man enough to debate Kerry, whatever. Just keep the idea out there--his supporters are all about Bush's supposed studly, manly, take-charge, never-back-down, assertive, stuff-a-sock-down-his-flight-suit attitude. Make them face up to the fact that that's as fraudulent as everything else about him.

[cthrumatrix]

1. our talking point is: Bush is clearly the best debater... hands down

get it...

[alonso_quijano]

3. That too!

Deflate the expectations for Kerry.

JK did that himself on the Daily Show (and probably elsewhere): "Bush has won every debate he's ever been in."

[trotsky]

5. Bush has never lost a debate.

He'll wipe the floor with Kerry - I have no idea why Rove would be afraid to put his candidate up for battle again when he's always had success.

[EnfantTerrible]

9. He's the best

no doubt about it. He's not trying to weasel out... he's showing his christian mercy!
Bow to his benevolence....

[MissMarple]

13. Yes, dear, a master debater.

Quite so.

[Jo March]

2. "Bush isn't brave enough to debate Kerry"

"He is? Okay, then, why is he starting to cancel debates, huh? Oh, yeah. He's cancelled one already. Is he scared to face Kerry? What
do you think is the reason? I think that he's a coward."

Okay. I'm ready to use that in my next hundred conversations. ;)

[freedom_to_read]

4. A better way of phrasing it IMHO

would be for Kerry to say: "I'm NOT AFRAID to debate this President any time, anywhere." Let people draw their own conclusions about Shrub's lack of stones.

I also liked the notion (some other DUer mentioned, I forget where) of linking Shrub's reluctance to debate with the fact that he has held fewer press conferences than any other prez.

"Unlike my opponent, I look forward to the opportunity to discuss the issues that are important to all Americans in a public forum..." etc.

[Texas_Dem]

6. Its obvious bush is a Girlie-Man

[chiburb]

10. Yep, that's the one....

Or "What is Bush, a girly-man"? "What would Arnold say"?

[JI7]

7. no, Kerry should say Bush is a very good debator so to be fair to Kerry

they should give Kerry more than 2 debates to help him show his side to the American people.

[JI7]

8. they want us to call Bush a coward and lower standards for him

Kerry should just say nothing for now. if asked he should say that as a challenger he wants to be given a fair chance to get his side out and that since Bush is a very good debator it will take more than 2 debates to do it.

[Sparkly]

11. Oh, I see what you're saying

That makes sense. Being too gung-ho on the debates sets Kerry up with the higher 'expectations.'... I like your spin on it.

[Memekiller]

12. How about this...

What's Bush afraid of? He's won every debate he's ever had.

[elehhhhna]

14. What is the SUBJECT of the Arizona debate? Anyone?

[scarletwoman]

15. Foreign Policy (n/t)

[elehhhhna]

16. Found it: Debate subjects. Which to dodge? AZ subject is Foreign Policy!

September 30 from the University of Miami with moderator Jim Lehrer, PBS NewsHour.

October 8 from Washington University in St. Louis will be a town hall format moderated by Charles Gibson, ABC News.

October 13 from Arizona State University moderated by Bob Schieffer, CBS News.

Each debate will have a different overall topic. The first will focus on domestic policy; the second as a town hall meeting is open to all topics; and the third will focus of foreign policy.