With Baker negotiating, is it possible there might not be any debates ?

[kentuck]

His demands will be so extraordinary, the Democrats would be foolish to accept? Or should Democrats accept no matter what the offer might be, because any debate is better than none? And when should Kerry start preparations for the first debate? It's only 11 days away. Should he put a little extra study into it or should he remain on the road campaigning? Or can he do both?

[Owlet]

1. Who's negotiating for Kerry Campaign? (NT)

[kentuck]

3. I think Vernon Jordan..

Bill Clinton's friend.

[Owlet]

14. You're right. I did some checking and found this

The candidates enlist a blue-chip roster of power brokers to help them gear up. On the Kerry team: lawyers Vernon Jordan Jr. and Robert Barnett, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano. On the Bush team: Former Secretary of State James Baker III and GOP insiders Haley Barbour and Mary Matalin.

The first debate is supposed to be less than two weeks from now (Sept 30), at Washington University St. Louis.

http://www.studlife.com/news/2004/09/17/News/Debate.Commission.Demands.Answers-722133.shtml

Wonder how you get one of those T-shirts?

[rogerashton]

2. There won't be any debates.

They would make the pre-senile dementia of Mr. Kerry's opponent all too evident.

[jimshoes]

4. I've heard Baker wants Kerry

to debate with his foot nailed to the floor and while breathing a nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture and with a jalepeno pepper stapled to his cheek. Frankly, * needs a more level playing field than that but that's as far as I'd be willing to go. .

[Catt03]

5. LOL

[cheshire]

7. HOOOHAAAAW F**in A Homer Simson Vs Bu.... OH sorry * is Homer.

[wurzel]

6. At the very best there will be two one hour debates. Maybe not even that.

Currently scheduled are three hour and half debates. I still believe there will be none.

[Leilani]

8. The Baker strategy is to delay as long as possible

the challenger always wants debates; incumbents do not.

My guess: 2 Prez debates, 1 Veep debate, all seated, no town halls.

[Leilani]

9. Kerry has forgotten more about govt

than Bush ever knew.

Kerry s challenge in the debates, is to speak in language the average person can understand, & try to show a little personality. A touch of humor would help.

People agree with Kerry on the issues; they need to see he is JUST as capable of being Prez as Bush, & that he is also a real person.

[BillZBubb]

10. Kerry has already lost half the battle by agreeing to negotiate.

He should have said "Baker can negotiate with himself. I'll be at three scheduled debates."

If Kerry further weakens his position by appearing to give in to Bush* demands, he again reinforces the "Bush* strong leader, Kerry weak" meme.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. Baker is a cleaner. I'm surprised the Bush administration is still

using him, because it's like resorting to goon activity.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

12. Kerry should insist on unconditional debates

and agree to debate Michael Peroutka, the candidate for the right wing Constitution Party. Peroutka could take votes away from Bush as his party accuses George Bush of being a traitor to conservatism.

Here's an article that came out 7 days ago and is posted at the Constitution Party's website entitled "The Bush Betrayal".

http://www.peroutka2004.com/schedule/index.php?action=eventview&event_id=377

If George Bush meanwhile wants to debate Ralph Nader while Kerry gives a media spotlight to an ultra conservative critic of Bush who can potentially take votes away from him, I say Bring It On!

[Dr Fate]

13. There will be one debate- the media will spin it for Bush.

Then Bush will refuse further debates.

Unless Kerry pre-empts this.

[merbex]

15. I agree - B* could never get away with not doing at least one

debate. If he backed out of all debates it totally ties into his coward image that I like to believe that over 50% of the public have of him

In their hearts (if they have hearts)the freepers know that there is no way they can spin B*'s avoidance of all debates

[kentuck]

16. The Democrats need to negotiate from strength...

Kerry should not agree to the first debate unless it is exactly as he wanted, or with very little compromise. Bush will say it was Kerry's fault that the first debate was cancelled. If Bush wants to cancel the debate, Kerry could say he is willing to debate anytime but the Repubs do not want to debate. Ask Mr Bush why he doesn't want to debate?? I am ready to debate the issues. I am ready for three debates and more. It is not I that is holding up the debates.

Bush does not want to debate, so Kerry could give them the opportunity to back out..but not without a price. Because he could say he is ready to debate anytime. If the first debate is cancelled, it is no big deal, because Bush plans on only two debates anyway. Kerry could simply say, "I am ready to debate anytime, anywhere, but the Bush campaign cannot seem to agree on the parameters. If Bush says "Ok, I'm ready to debate..", then Kerry says "let's get it on". The point being that Kerry could put Bush on the defensive about the debates, in my opinion.