http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~29805~2315043,00.htmlCandidates' rebuttals up front
As the race nears its end, its rivals are challenging each other's words before they're even uttered.
By Karen E. Crummy
Denver Post Staff Writer
Point. Counterpoint. Rebuttal.
And adding to the pattern of political debate these days, a new one: prebuttal.
It's the final three months of the presidential race, the contest is tight, and each side is seeking every advantage.
So in August, a quiet campaign month in many past elections, opponents are tenaciously rebutting candidates' speeches and positions - even before they are uttered.
"We call it the 'prebut,"' said Jennifer Duffy, an analyst with the Cook Political Report.
Short for prebuttal.
"The opponent wants to make sure his view is heard and that the media has that view in their heads while listening to the candidate's speech," Duffy said.<snip>