a two-minute limit on the candidates' responses will "save" Bush?

[papau]

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040921-105148-8854r.htm

(Bush got) a two-minute limit on the candidates' responses -Bush team's demand for strictly enforcing a two-minutes limit on each side's response to questions from the moderator or audience members. Penalties for violators of the two-minute rule including flashing lights, buzzers and eventual microphone cutoffs.

"The Bush negotiators are really proud of that one because their candidate can't talk for more than two minutes on any subject," said Democratic campaign adviser Gale Kaufman. "But two minutes makes it impossible to talk about anything substantive. The Bush people did win on that one. Too bad."
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So we await the classic Bush confident strut as he walks in to the debate with with shoulders hunched and elbows out, like he's waiting for his Right Guard to dry, knowing he has 90 second answers to everything.

[Cha]

1. I can't believe this shyte...forget bush...

"two minutes" is just like the US with it's slick commericial soundbytes!

And you know roveco will be working to scrounge some zingers up for bush since they think he can't screw up royally in two mintues.

But how long does it take bush to screw up..some up his latest stupid remarks didn't even take two minutes!

Was it that way in 2000?

But, I have confidence that Kerry will pull this off.. in two fucking minutes!

[Dawgs]

2. Two minutes is a lot longer than you think...

I'm not worried about it.

[papau]

3. But the Town Hall setup is to make them look like "Game Show Hosts"!

The agreement includes four pages of provisions - up from one in 2000 - about the town-hall-style debate, including a requirement that the moderator, Charles Gibson, present to the campaigns by Oct. 1 a question-selection method. Mr. Gibson is to ensure that the audience members pose equal numbers of questions on foreign policy, domestic security and other domestic issues; alternate the candidates to whom their queries are directed; and not alter their pre-selected questions on the fly.

Instead of the "uncommitted" voters typically invited to such events, the auditorium is to be filled with those identified by the Gallup polling organization as leaning toward but not firmly committed to Mr. Bush and Mr. Kerry, and Mr. Gibson would have to call on the same number of people from each side.

"If any audience member poses a question or makes a statement that is in any material way different than the question that the audience member earlier submitted to the moderator for review, the moderator will cut off the questioner and advise the audience that such nonreviewed questions are not permitted," the agreement reads.

[djohnston]

4. all may not be lost

At least knowing this, Kerry can plan his mode of attack better, and maybe not have the luxury of a longer speaking time, but perhaps can hammer home his many valid points about Bush's multitudinous failures as POTUS.

[gardenista]

6. Welcome to DU, djohnston!

:toast:

[darknesstolight]

5. Bush is Scared of a Town Haul meeting

What Bush is scared of is a town haul meeting where both vice candidates and presidential candidates will attend, and answer questions. That is the fear better get some depends.