If Cheney and Bush back out of the debates

[gristy]

should Kerry and Edwards each hold a faux-debate on, say, the Daily Show? Stewart could take the role of Bush and Cheney. Maybe it wouldn't be the politically astute thing to do, but it could be very funny. Or maybe they could hold a serious debate against someone of their own choosing. In any case, I hope Kerry has some good ideas (better than mine, anyways) to capitalize if they back out.

[wtmusic]

1. No but Kerry should drive it home, and hard

Unrelentingly. There is *nothing* honorable or excusable about a refusal to debate

[UpsideDownFlag]

2. is there any indication that they'll back out?

i hadnt heard about this.

[graywarrior]

3. They're already backing out of Tempe, AZ

[enfield collector]

14. good, don't want either of them poluting my town with their foul stench.

[gristy]

4. I'd been seeing it mentioned on DU over the past few days

though I admit I haven't checked out any links to see if there is any substance to this. Oops. So maybe I'm just spreading rumors

[UpsideDownFlag]

6. i mean like, the 3 main debates. and vice presidential debate.

they CANNOT back out of those if they want to compete.

[Liberal Veteran]

5. I think refusing to debate should be a disqualification for office.

Period.

[Justice]

7. They Are Being NonCommittal

My sense is they want the fight to be over the debates and not about issues. Then in the end they will say, yes debates, we never said we weren't doing the debates. They want to set the agenda and keep Kerry off balance.

[dsewell]

8. Could Bush insist on having Cheney along for his debate with Kerry?

It worked with the 9/11 Commission.

[Bullshot]

9. Sounds to me like the Bush/Cheney campaign is doing some.......

FLIP-FLOPS over this issue.

[ezee]

10. Kerry should go ahead with the arranged

schedule. If the little twig doens't show up, then Kerry can say something like, gosh, too bad. Now let me tell you what will happen when I am president!
Now if the debats are cancelled because shrub boy backs out ahead of time, then Kerry should book National News Time on ALL network stations as well as cable and tell the world what a true chicken shit this administration is.

[ronnykmarshall]

11. Follow them around in Chicken suits.

When I heard that Georgie is backing out of one of debates, my first thought was "he's gonna back out due to 'security' concerns".

If they don't debate, they best call U-Haul.

[LTR]

12. He could pull a Sharpton

I recall that he held a solo debate when none of the other candidates showed up.

I think it would be brilliant of Kerry to do this. Demand a debate (town hall style would be best), set the date. If Bush doesn't show, do it solo, taking questions from the audience.

I like it!

[Protected]

13. What in the hell is Bush worried about?

He could just say "Remember 9/11..." and "let me finish" for two hours and the media (or as he calls it, the "filter") would proclaim him the winner.

[peacetalksforall]

15. I've had a flash thought that they would want Cheney to debate Kerry and

Rice to debate Edwards.

[Skip Intro]

16. They won't back out - this may be a "lowering expectations" tactic

Any rational person would wonder why bush would refuse to debate (or hesitate to debate) and draw the obvious conclusion that bush is afraid to debate. A "bush is afraid to debate" bandwagon effect is created. Let this go on long enough for people to doubt bush and then agree to the debates. Low expectations for bush are established, since he has been dubbed "weak and afraid," and he has but to show up and deliver one or two well-crafted lines.

Its the same thing they did with Gore, pre-debates. Refused to commit to debates, then agree to three.

If bush refused to debate, that would be the end of any chance he has in Nov. The regime knows this. Its just a tactic.

[liberal N proud]

17. If they even attempt to back out Kerry should publicize it!

Make it a huge talking point, everytime the media qustions one of the Kerry members, they should expose it!
It would be a great blow to dubya if he will not debate.

[bobbieinok]

18. B/C pulled this in 2000 also

seemed to agree to 3 pres and 1 VP and then pulled back

after a period of back and forth, democrats agreed to new B/C plans.

so repubs won thru blackmail.......got pre=screened questions at least for 1 debate, hokey (pro W) media moderators......at least 1 both were seated

W got everything set to his advantage.....I hope Kerry team is smarter

if no debates or Kerry with empty chair, DO YOU THINK MEDIA WILL BROADCAST THIS.......OF COURSE NOT

[michigandem2]

19. i'm sorry but wouldn't that just look SO cowardess?

who would believe this guy is a strong "commander in cheif" if he can't even TALK and discuss issues that are important to the American people? I think if Kerry just goes after this opportuntiy to point out what a coward * is...then we should be more confident that the voters would see that as weakness?
it seems so apparent..what will be the spin for backing out of even ONE debate??? what are they so scared of if they have all the answers??

[yellowdawgdem]

20. Yes they should

It'd give them some well needed media coverage. I don't think it's a big deal whether or not the debates come thru or not, though. If not, Bush looks inadequate and cowardly. If so, Kerry will cream him. What I do worry about, though, is the possibility that the repubs are using these stall tactics in order to get a venue that will favor them. Maybe a moderator that will not be so impartial, if you catch my drift. That would be something to worry about. Otherwise, not.

[BadGimp]

21. They wouldn't dare

The media would eat them alive.

But they could constrict the debates in a way thet gives the the advantage IF they media is compliant enbough. And if history is a guide ...