Bush campaign non-committal on debates against Kerry (ABC's "This Week")

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON (AFP)

Campaign officials for US President George W. Bush were non-committal as to when -- or whether -- he would take part in debates against Democratic challenger John Kerry. ..

"We look forward to the debates. We look forward to having a debate about debates. We will, in an appropriate time, which is shortly, talk about our intended participation," he told ABC television's "This Week" program. ..


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[MichiganVote]

1. Kerry will probably have to wait for an invite and sign a loyalty oath

[earthside]

2. Get Those Chicken Suits Out of Storage, NOW! n/t

[wtmusic]

3. One debate

I just have one of those nagging hunches it's only gonna be one and it's gonna be TIGHTLY controlled...

[faithnotgreed]

4. we look forward to a debate about the debates.... yeepers

[LauraK]

5. Kerry must agree to the questions AND answers first.

Photo ops only for the little white chickenhawk dimson.

[demgrrrll]

7. I read and as usual can't remember where that James Baker is going

to negotiate the terms of the debate? Was that a joke?
I thought I read that Baker prepped Reagan for the 88 debates. He may know a thing or two about what would favor the Chimp. Hmm.

[zuzu98]

6. I'm looking forward to the photo

of Kerry standing on the stage next to an empty lectern.

[RevCheesehead]

19. whether or not * is present, it will be empty

[wildflower]

34. I like it!

That would be a perfect image to be played on the news (if they would show it)! :D

-wildflower

[Union Thug]

8. Start the Meme: Bush is a coward...

and spread it far and wide.

[stray cat]

9. Bush is a girly man!

The big hang up on the debates is whether George Bush can wear his fighter pilots uniform and Cheney can sit beside him.

[stray cat]

10. Does Bush want to get out of debates or only lower expectations?

In the past Bush has been a good debater because he stays on message so well. He has "won" every debate he has been in. He knows Kerry needs to debate him and I'm sure he is trying to rig it totally in his favor.

[wryter2000]

11. Call those cowards out!

Challenge them to all three debates. Make it 100% clear that they're afraid of Kerry. Here's a way to hit them hard and yet have the message be positive. "John Kerry wants open and honest debate. What is George W. Bush afraid of?"

[Judi Lynn]

12. Isn't it great to see Joe Lockhart on board?

He has a degree of self-control which is unfamiliar to the people in _Bush's camp.

"We look forward to 60 days of debate and 60 days of discussion," Mehlman said.

But Joe Lockhart, senior adviser with the Kerry's campaign, accused the Bush campaign of stonewalling.

"Debates don't need to be debated. We don't need 'intended'," he told ABC.

"We need, 'Let's show up at these debates ... If the president has an agenda that he can defend, show up at the debates," Lockhart said.

"As of now, we've got no answer from them," he complained.

"As of now, we've got no answer from them," he complained.
(snip)

Yahoo article is 4.51 with 45, for those who feel voterish.

[CarolynEC]

13. If Bush refuses to show up, the 'debates' should go on

It's my understanding that the debates have already been set
(http://www.debates.org/).

If that's so, JK ought to insist that the events take place as scheduled, that he's ready and willing to answer any and all questions, whether from moderators or in a town meeting format.

George Bush should NOT have veto power over the debates. If he doesn't want to participate, that's his choice. The show can go on without him.

[lagniappe]

14. There are going to be debates. The GOP has no choice in this matter.

On this one issue I say let them non-commit all they want. The public will demand the debates. This is a pathetic strategy by Rove to dictate the structure the debates on his terms. They are hoping the Kerry campaign makes the same mistakes that the Gore campaign made.

[Democat]

15. Why should Bush debate Kerry if Bush is ahead in the polls at that time?

This is called strategy - if Bush is still ahead in the polls, why should he agree to debate Kerry?

You might not like it, but the Republicans are playing the game to win. They will not take a risk if they don't need to and they will take every risk you can think of if they do need to.

Democrats are going to have to learn to play hardball if they want to win.

If Kerry wants a debate with Bush, he's going to have to earn it. How does he earn it? By Kerry being far enough ahead in the polls that Bush feels he has to debate him to win. The other way to earn it is to make Bush's refusal to debate into a liability with effective sustained attacks that make the issue hurt Bush.

If Kerry can't get ahead in the polls enough (or make not debating a liability) to get Bush to agree to a debate, then there may not be any debates.

The Republicans are running a much smarter, harder, and more sophisticated campaign than the Democrats and they have been for several elections.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

16. O.K. Kerry Ops on DU. Here's an opening to look tough...call Bush a wimp!

Bush's WHOLE persona this go around is one of a "strong leader".

You guys need to point out that "how strong can the President be, when he's AFRAID to openly debate a challenger." If they persist in not agreeing to at least 4 debates, you and your ops should be on T.V. every chance you can get calling Bush a "wimp".

You couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to attack Bush on the single issue "strength" that he's running this time around.

JB

[RevCheesehead]

21. Absolutely on target!

Maureen Dowd writes about the Oedipus factor, and Bushie's hatred of his father...especially the Wimp factor!!

[SayitAintSo]

31. I can see it now .... Afraid to debate, Afraid to engage the Press

Afraid to address Dems ( closed rallies ), Afraid/AWOL after 911....yada yada yada ... 527's .... get busy !!!!

[AspenRose]

41. Didn't Kerry say something about Bush being a strong debater?

Of course he was baiting him, I'm sure he wasn't serious. But I thought he said something recently to the effect of Bunnypants being a 'strong debater.'

Once again, Bush = All hat, no cattle

[Gloria]

17. Not just a wimp--an EVASIVE wimp....which the begs the question

"Why is Bush so afraid of appearing before the American people--all the people, not just the invited few--? What is he afraid might be revealed as Kerry faces him down???"

[laylah]

18. The truth...n/t

[snippy]

20. We can't let an argument about debates become too important.

Rove would prefer that democrats spend a lot of time talking about Bush's debating plans rather than about Bush's record. Republicans will try to get the media to focus on reporting about the debates rather than about the issues. It is an absolute cardinal rule in republican political strategy that the republicans attempt to dictate what their opponents talk about each week and what the media reports. Rove would like this week to be all about whether Bush will debate.

[uhhuh]

23. Kerry Can Do Both

Kerry can highlight the chimp's unwillingness to debate and ask, "What is the president afraid of? His job loss numbers? His record of increasing poverty in this country? The fact that he has taken a huge surplus and given us record deficits, all the while cutting taxes for those who didn't need a tax cut anyway? Why does the president not want to talk to the American people about these things with me?"

[snippy]

25. I agree, as long as the emphasis is on Bush's record. n/t

[goclark]

28. Come out from under that bed Georgie!

Georgie,this is not 911.

Come out from under that bed and get ready to rumble .
Scared Georgie?

Georgie is a girlie man, Georgie is a girlie man!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

22. How do you spell

chicken shit?

[Mokito]

32. b-u-s-h

[GoddessOfGuinness]

42. Winner of the spelling bee...

:beer:

[Catfight]

24. Bush always dodging responsibility. All hats and boots! n/t

[Snellius]

26. What if he gets to hold the Big Dick?

the Big Dick's hand?

[LisaL]

27. I think they are seriously afraid

to let Bush talk without a script.
Look what happened during RNC when he babbled to everybody that we can't win war on terror. Maybe they will cancel the debates all together under some pretense.

[jcappy]

29. The 10% lead is the key

to this latest stance. Bush is using this to gain leverage over the framework of the debate, or to reject all but one or two debates. He's trying to force the Kerry camp into a defensive position in the same way he did in post-election florida.

[wildflower]

36. And I have been seriously afraid...

that exactly that will happen. That, as you said, they'd have some thin pretense for avoiding the debates. And as usual, they would get away with it, with the typical hubris that shocks people into numb acceptance or fear-mongering that shocks people into numb, well, fear.
(With the help of the media, of course.)

-wildflower

[Arianrhod]

43. Republicans are always afraid.

Kerry should push the idea that the "War President" doesn't have the cajones to face him with words--and that that is a reflection of his inability to lead in a time of crisis.

[CookieD]

30. People, I think you're all missing what's going on here!

Bush is lowering our expectations. He played coy with Al Gore in 2000 and Gore's people took the bait, calling Bush a coward and a wimp because he wouldn't participate in all three debates. Eventually when Bush "reluctantly" agreed to participate everyone figured Gore would kick his butt. He didn't.

Remember that is basically what Arnold Schwarzenegger did in 2003. Whenever any candidate appears to reluctantly participate in a debate, everyone mistakenly concludes that he or she is the underdog. Then if the candidate holds her own she looks like the clear cut winner.

So go ahead, people. You want to fall into their trap, call Bush a wimp. Call him a coward. It's exactly what Karl Rove wants. :shrug:

Personally I will tell people that Bush is the heavy favorite because he has won just about every debate he has ever had. And, mark my words, Bush will participate in all three debates. In fact if Kerry even manages to hold his own he will be the clear cut winner.

[wildflower]

35. And that's what Kerry said on the Daily Show...

which I thought was excellent strategy. I agree.

But do you think calling Bush out for debates, while Bush seems reluctant, necessarily makes Bush the underdog and thus the winner? In my view, Kerry could, and should, call for debates as loudly, as often, and as aggressively as possible, but at the same time repeat that Bush has won every debate he's ever had.

-wildflower

[CookieD]

39. Kerry should step carefully ...

He shouldn't call Bush out. Instead he should urge Bush to fulfill his commitment to the American people. Kerry should say, "let's be honest, I am not the greatest debater in the world, but I will particpate in all three debates because I think the candidates owe it to the American people. George Bush is an excellent debater so he should be eager to showcase his talent."

If Kerry or his surrogates call Bush out too much it will make Bush the defacto underdog. It's just like two kids in the schoolyard - the one who doesn't want to fight isn't expected to win.

The bottom line is that Bush really has no choice but to participate in all three debates. Bush's pre-debate posturing is designed to lower expectations and get the other side overconfident. If Kerry plans to do anything more than simply urge Bush to fulfill his commitment, I would prefer he say nothing at all.

I am not at all confident in the Democrats' ability to control themselves on this one. They will be completely unable to resist the temptation to call Bush a wimp and a coward. Somehow, I fear Karl Rove will get the last laugh.

[lovuian]

33. Why should Bush debate him LOL!!!

IF we get a debate
Bush will have so many rules to protect himself it will make your head spin

[Career Prole]

37. Hey Bush you wussy! What changed your mind from a month ago?

You flip-floppin' debate girly-man! Every conservative I know has been telling me that you'll "kick Kerry's ass" in the debates!
Just a month ago when you got your hour long "commercial" on Larry King you said there would definitely be debates!
KING: Are you going to sign off on the debate days?

G. BUSH: Do what now?

KING: They've signed -- Kerry has agreed to the debate days.

G. BUSH: Oh good.

KING: Have you agreed yet to those four dates? One vice presidential, three presidential.

G. BUSH: I'm sure we have. There will be debates. I don't think you have to worry about that.

KING: You can pick the dates and times, but last I heard, the White House hadn't signed off yet? Sign off tonight.

G. BUSH: I'll be there to debate.

KING: Sign off, you'll show up.

G. BUSH: Well, I don't have -- frankly, to be honest with you, I don't have any idea what the dates are. But I'm confident we'll have the debates.

KING: The three debates and the vice presidential.

G. BUSH: There will be debates.

KING: Will they be key?

G. BUSH: They're always key. I mean, that gives it -- people will tune in and see how we handle the questions and the pressure and the give and take. And I look forward to them.

I mean, I've been through a lot of debates. As a matter of fact, you and I went through one together in South Carolina.

KING: South Carolina, I'll never forget it.

G. BUSH: And they're important occasions. They are part of the process.
http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0408/12/lkl.00.html

What's the deal, you candy-ass? Kerry wants you to "bring it on" so bring it! You know you can do it...tell your handlers you want to fight your own fights for the first time in your life.
If you're a no-show I'm gonna see how many white feathers I can get mailed to the White House.
A chimp in a tutu...funny at the circus maybe, but tragic in the Oval Office.

[BRLIB]

38. I would demand the content of any negotiations on the

debate(s) open to the public, or the lack of agreement thereof, with the guilty party made public.

This should be done ASAP, in time for commercials to be prepared demonstrating who represents a free and open society with vigorous public debate, and who represents a closed Stalinist regime and their media puppets.

[Seabiscuit]

40. So the chickenhawk is

more chicken than hawk.

[napi21]

44. Isn't this standard for an incumbent to do this?

I seem to remember other Presidents dragging out their response for a long time too. Never was sure why.