Anyone else have a problem with the debate set up?

[AmerDem]

In particular presidential debate #2 scheduled for Oct.8, moderated by Charlie Gibson, Good Morning America.

Here is what I have a problem with:

1. Wasn't it Charlie Gibson that was over the top to Kerry a few months back during an interview, clearly in the shrubs camp?

2. They have GALLOP choosing the participants to ask the questions and all questions will be reviewed and chosen prior to the debate.They say for the "sole purpose of avoiding duplicate questions".
This is GALLOP, the same outfit that repeatedly have polls favoring the shrub with large leads even though all other polls show him behind.

http://www.debates.org/pages/news_040813.html

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. I am only concerned about Gallup!

I would not have agreed to this crap!

[AmerDem]

3. Gallup will also be choosing the"undecided voters"

who will participate. what a sham!

[Sparkly]

2. Are we supposed to believe neither candidate sees the Q's ahead?

I'm disappointed that there are no formal, stand-up podium debates.

[devinsgram]

4. Agree

They do not want him standing because Kerry's height would make * look like the Pinocchio midget he is.

[AndyTiedye]

5. Only Bush* Will Get to See The Questions In Advance

You know they would not let him debate otherwise.


Karl Rove gets to pick the questions.

Bush* will have been rehearsing his answers to every question for weeks.

Kerry will hear the questions for the first time on live television.

[AmerDem]

7. This is so true

You know Gallup has a direct line to Rove. This debate is a farce from the get go!

[AmerDem]

6. That is a good point

Let's face it Kerry standing behind a podium is presidential. The hapless shrub is always fidgeting, slumped over and herky jerky.

[DaveSZ]

8. Gallop and Charlie Gibson

I'd say that's pretty rigged in favor of the Chimp.

[noamnety]

9. for the sitting debates

will shrubya be using a booster seat?

[Sparkly]

11. Yes

Cheney's lap.

[WiseMen]

10. Look like Advantage Bush: Kerry better on his feet interacting with folk

[Blue_Roses]

15. I don't know about that

he did pretty well in the primaries when the had the round table debate with Larry King. I think it will prove to be more informal--something that will show Kerry as human rather than a stoic figure.

I see a great advantage to this.

[Poiuyt]

12. I would like to see a debate like Moore-O'Reilly

where the two of them are facing each other and actually DEBATING rather than just answering someone's question with a canned answer.

[AmerDem]

13. I want a debate were average everday citizens ask...

questions unscripted and without advance notice. I guess the second presidential debate is the repuke version of that. They have all avenues to bend and twist it their way.

I wonder if Kerry still has time to negotiate how the debates should be set up or are they set in concrete?

[blondeatlast]

14. Among many reasons, I'm upset that they will be seated.

Why the farkle did Kerry's people agree to THAT?!

[LTR]

16. Probably to get the town hall format for one of the debates

I'm sure the last thing Bush wanted was a stand-up debate. That would kill him. I'm pretty sure Kerry would like to repeat history by creaming him in a town hall-style debate, where audience members ask the questions (Clinton did phenomenally well in this format). But Bushco likely agreed, so long as the other two debates were sit-down. I would have pushed for one standup debate. Two sitdowns just shows how scared they are.