Y'know, Kerry is actually going to win this debate.

[troublemaker]

The media is primed for a Kerry-comeback story. Without a Kerry comeback it will be slim news pickin's for a while. (There can't be a hurricaine EVERY week)

PS I feel no need whatsoever to lower expectations because Kerry's expectations cannot be much lower. People on TV are expecting Kerry to debate from inside a coffin. If he says, "I am not a flip-flopper" and "I am decisive" they will say, "he did what he needed to do." And then there's another week of suspense about whether Bush will bounce back. Even if they want Bush in the end they want entertainment along the way.

[rockymountaindem]

1. I hadn't thought of it that way.

I suppose a "Bush continues to kick ass" week would just be MOTS. However, the Republicans do own the media... I'd say it's 50/50.

[cheshire]

2. They have to pump him up for a story, is that what your saying?

Slobbering over the little turd is getting boring?

[tedoll78]

3. The media does love a close race.

That, and they love a come-from-behind underdog story as well. A part of my mind has wondered about this..

[codegreen]

4. good perspective.

hope you're right

[Skip Intro]

5. Kerrry's "low expectations" - I've been wondering about this

Has Kerry been, purposely - with an almost under the radar (yet obvious) strategy, lowering expectations for himself?

It worked to help bush in the debates against Gore (along with a media whoring for bush).

Could Kerry's plan, or one of his plans, be/have been, to purposely and carefully lower the expectations, so that he could finally, clearly, and simply tell those who don't understand nuance that he is, by far, the better candidate?

I have been wondering about this for a while.

[Jawja]

12. Yes because

I saw ALL of the Democratic Primary debates and I thought Kerry was excellent.

If it's being set up that Kerry is an underdog in the debates, that is indeed good news, because based on what I saw, Kerry has the potential to wipe up the floor with *.

That is, of course, without Big Media's interpretation and an honest assessment of the debates based on it's merits alone.

[Eric J in MN]

6. Chris Matthews is such a whore for Bush, that I'll believe him

declaring Kerry the winner of the First Debate only after it happens.

[LisaM]

7. I wondered about this too

it would be far bigger news if Kerry wiped the floor with * and shot up in the polls than everything staying the same. Thank you for articulating it.

[Beetwasher]

8. Well, That's One Theory

However, if you go by the "If you're going to cheat, cheat big" school of election rigging, then a "Bush surges after the first debate!" spin would set up the landslide via BBV and cover for the fact that everyone everybody knows voted for Kerry and yet somehow Bush won in a landslide and now has a mandate. After all, he always DID have a commanding lead in the polls according to Gallup. :shrug:

[Machiavelli05]

10. gotta love the conspiracy theories.

Its these kinds of comments that cause the claim of a "vast right wing conspiracy" to lose ANY credibility.

[Beetwasher]

11. Yes, Because I'm So Influential and World Reknowned

and I speak for the Democratic party.

Get real. That you think my comment has any effect on anything makes you delusional.

[Machiavelli05]

14. Well as long as you know no one is listening to you...

[Beetwasher]

19. And Your Point Would Be?

What? That I should care about YOUR opinion? :shrug:

Maybe in your delusional little world, everything's honkey dory in this country and this whole election is just about some good ol' boys having fun and having some minor disagreements! It's not about powerful fascists determined to achieve world domination through any means necessary. Nahh, that could never be possible. Not here. Nope. Election fraud would never happen in this country! Just not possible dammit! Nya nya nya!

How delusionally pathetic.

[Machiavelli05]

20. which one is more delusional?

Acknowledging that everything may not be alright and that right now we may not be on the right track but that if we just work with the system, campaign and educate the undecided and mobilize those that think like us, that everything will get better?

OR

That "powerful fascists determined to achieve world domination through any means necessary".

You're the one who sounds crazy as hell.

[Beetwasher]

21. Again, And I Should Care What You Think Because?

Yeah, I guess the Nazi's never existed. Things like that just CAN'T happen!

People like you called the Jews in 1930's Germany alarmists and said they were overreacting. "Everything will be fine, just wait it out and educate everyone that we're NOT vermin"

You're a part of the problem if you don't realize how serious the problems in this country are. Just keep you're fingers in your ears and keep going "Nya nya nya you're crazy!" and everything will be ok!

[Machiavelli05]

24. I wish I had the website of the top strategies of winning a pointless...

debate...
one of them was "always twist people's words so that you can compare them to Hitler or Nazis, because that way youve linked them to the biggest evil ever and have tarnished their reputation".

Calling Bush Hitler is as idiotic as saying Kerry cooperated with the VC by meeting w/ their representatives in France. Youre no better than the Swift Boat Veterans. Call me a Nazi sympathizer if you will - I'll just call you a fool.

[Beetwasher]

25. Talk About Twisting Words

What a disengenous and intellectually dishonest load of crap.

Did I call Bush Hitler? Did I call you a Nazi sympathizer? No, I didn't. I compared you to the people who had their heads up their asses regarding the Nazi's. Are you ignorant? Yes, you are and you have your head up your ass, but that doesn't mean you're a nazi sympathizer, just a fascist enabler.

You are a pathetic liar and an ignorant blowhard to boot.

Oh, and please point out where in this post I called Bush Hitler or you a Nazi sympathizer or admit you're full shit:

"Yeah, I guess the Nazi's never existed. Things like that just CAN'T happen!

People like you called the Jews in 1930's Germany alarmists and said they were overreacting. "Everything will be fine, just wait it out and educate everyone that we're NOT vermin"

You're a part of the problem if you don't realize how serious the problems in this country are. Just keep you're fingers in your ears and keep going "Nya nya nya you're crazy!" and everything will be ok!"

[Machiavelli05]

27. Thats exactly what youre implying

I read and re-read re-re-read what you say and the exact thing you are implying is exactly as I sated. You are comparing America today to Germany in the 1930s. That would mean that you telling me that Im turning a blind eye to Bush's seizure of the fourth reich is nazi sympathy and Bush's rise to power is equivlent to Hitlers.

Youre the one making the analogy - not me.

I think someone needs to not only teach you some history, some analytical skills - but your mom also must have left out the lessons on manners. You are not only incredibly alarmist in your views and ignorant in refusing to ever looking at a more reasonable interpretation of the events and facts you are also incredibly RUDE.

This is my last post - I refuse to get in a pissing match about whether your own analogies are apt or not. If you werent saying it, dont imply it.

Good day.

[Beetwasher]

29. Hahahaha! Ignorance Must Be Bliss! Yes, Run Away!!!

Of course I was implying an anology. No shit Sherlock.

You need not only lessons in history if you DON'T see the parallels, but logic too if you conclude I'm calling you a Nazi sympathizer because I said you have your head up your ass and you're an enabler.

An enabler is NOT the same as a sympathizer. Duh.

Jews in 1930's Germany were NOT Nazi sympathizers, but the one's that ignored what was happening and thought it would pass and things would get better WERE enablers. That's you, whistling past the graveyard with your head up your ass ignoring the parallels between the US today and the rise of the 3rd Reich in Nazi germany. It's precisely because I AM well versed in history that I do note the parallels.

Ha! I'm rude? Yes, I am, to ignorant morons who have their heads up their ass I'm quite rude.

Run away little boy and go study your history and logic. You need it.

[SeekingTruth]

9. What DU'ers are missing...

the largest part of those who don't "know" Kerry think he is wooden and dull - they only know what they have been so far told. We have sought out his appearances as much as possible, so we know he has plenty of life in him.

When the largest audience of the race at one time sees what we have seen and already know exists, Kerry will be in fine shape.

Even though Kerry cannot "directly" ask Bush questions, I bet Kerry will throw out questions in such a manner that the media will have no choice but to ask them later.

(On a bull dog terrier desire, I'd love to have Kerry question what the real reason Bush missed his physical for - if he asked it or brought it up, the media would have to ask it later - but that is probably not a good idea to do).

[Eric J in MN]

13. Bush's answer to why he skpped his physical is that he

was transferring to Alabama and they didn't have the types of planes he was trained on there.

It's a lie, but it's not like Bush will be without an answer if he's asked about this.

[demgoon]

15. Geaux Kerry!

I'm looking forward to it! Hosting a debate party in New Orleans if anyone's interested!

[oldtime dfl_er]

16. too bad it's not a debate

If it was an actual debate, I might agree with you. As it is, the best Kerry can do is say something during his alloted 30 seconds, like "my opponent was mistaken about the WMD in Iraq, and either he was lied to or he made a mistake. Will he admit to the mistake or will he admit he lied? Because it IS one or the other."

[NewYorkerfromMass]

17. All Kerry need do is look presidential- show confidence and knowledge

People are looking for an acceptable alternative to Bush, and Lord knows they want one.
The SBVT was all about destroying Kerry as such, so Kerry also needs to confront the smear head on and directly.
He needs to use the McCain act of stating how much it "hurts", and I don't mean the shrapnel.

[VOX]

18. Sssshhhh! That meowing noise you hear is the cat being let out of the bag!

Hush now, don't let it slip! :)

:toast:

[trogdor]

22. It fits the plot nicely.

I've told you all for months that the media wants a horse-race, and they'll have it any way they can. History made for TV.

I'm watching the debate on C-SPAN. How about youse?

[ollie3]

23. Media will try to spin the debates as Bush romp, but Kerry will win....

Who is kidding whom? The media is gonna spin the debate as a Bush romp. Regardless of what really went on. They will not fact check anything Bush says, and they will focus on "personality" and "image" rather than the issues. Bush will be described as resolute, and if he doesn't get shown picking a bugger from his nose on TV, he will be described as having presidential stage presence. Then it will be right to discussing who "won" the debate. And, since the format of the debate will probably prevent any real debate, the talking heads will...mark my words....merely say that since there were no knock-out punches, then Bush wins the debate by default since he is ahead in the polls. See? You don't have to watch the talking heads...you read it here first!

But I still think Kerry will come out OK. People don't like Bush. And Kerry has been portrayed as a flipflopper, as someone they can't trust. If Kerry looks "presidential" and "trustworthy" and "resolute" then there will be a subliminal impact of the debates. Right now a lot of voters don't know enough about Kerry to be comfortable supporting him. Regardless of what the talking heads say, if Kerry comes off well, he is gonna turn this election around!

[WI_DEM]

26. I agree with you

The media is full of whores, but even they like a real horserace. I think if Kerry does well they will give the debate to him.

[ewagner]

28. I've believed this for some time

Think about it. If you were a network exec the only thing that matters to you is ratings...translated into advertising revenues.

The "horse race" will be the story line from here on in.....with Kerry coming from behind......can he make it? can he overcome Bush*'s commanding lead? Drama, drama,drama....don't miss the absolute lates move...don't miss the latest polls...and remember XXX network had it FIRST!!!

People will watch that........

[ContinentalOp]

30. I don't agree that the news media ONLY thinks about ratings

and the bottom line. Sure, ratings are their #1 concern but if they ever set that concern aside and sacrifice ratings for a moment to serve another cause, what do you think that cause would be? The truth? Responsible journalism? No, the only things the media (and particularly the executives in charge) allow to trump the bottom line are politics and ideology. If it helping out their candidate means a temporary ratings slump for a week then so be it. There will always be another Jacko story or natural disaster coming down the pipeline but there is only a limited window of time left for them to influence the outcome of this election.