The debates

[newscaster]

The current polls show Bush with varying degrees of lead over Kerry and some show him trailing Kerry.

I think the next really critical thing will be the debates where Bush is in serious danger of blowing the whole thing. I am not certain but I suspect that Kerry can debate rings around Bush who will repeat over and over how he is winning the war against terra.

I am hoping for three debate but I an sure it will only be two.

Kerry has the entire election to gain in those debates nd I pray he is on the money all the way.

[Eric J in MN]

1. We have to keep trying to persuade people one-on-one. We

can't count on the debates, since the media whores will compose their exclamations about how "Bush won the debate" before the first debate takes place.

[whistle]

2. Those are pretty much my sentiments also, however the media....

...who usually demand these debates for ratings are so subdued over them that Bush could so no to having any and the media would just sit back and say "oh well" maybe next time. Where is the shit-storm against Jim Baker who is dragging his feet. Nobody knows about the debates and even if we end up with two, the networks won't be carrying them as far as I know, Has anyone heard anything? We'll be lucky if 20 million viewers get to see these debates. The cards are being stacked in Bush's favor.

[napi21]

4. I'm reasonably sure the networks will air the debates.

The hold up for not issuing a statement is probably Shrub not making a commitment yet. Neetwork can't say they'll air something they don't even know will happen!

As to Baker draging his feet, I think this is pretty standard stuff for the incumbant to do. In 2000, there wasn't an incumbant. Baker is just keeping the "power to delay a decision" in the news.

[bluedog]

3. I heard it this way

* will hem and haw over the third debate...........he wants people to think hes afraid of the town hall type and doesn't want to look weak...then when he does debate in the others the bar is lowered so far that he'll come out of it looking like hes a true winner.......this is what they are planning on.........the bar to be lowered............

[whistle]

5. Bar lowered?, How much lower can the bar be set, Dubya is an...

...idiot, but all of the media and the reThugliCons are claiming that Shrub is the brightest Repuke since Lincoln! What, he will not be worshiped at a level just below George Washington? This reminds me of that scene in, was it F911, where Saddam took over power and assembled all his ministers in a big room, put guards on the door and one by one, singled out his enemies who were taken out and immediately shot! It did not take too many dead victims before all of the room began to shout out loud their loyalty to Saddam. Maybe that was in another documentary but it sure reminds of how bush has operated during the past four years. We don't have the executions because economic blacklists work quite well in the U.S. In the case of the media, TV, it's threats of losses of FCC licenses and stiff fines, journalists get their reputations soiled, etc. Dark times that we live in.

[Grassroots Mom]

6. Kerry had plenty of practice

in the never ending series of Democratic primary debates. And he got better and better. Bush, on the other hand, hasn't debated anything in four years.

[LonghornJack]

7. Kerry Needs the Presidential "Aura"

Not only does Kerry need to do well in the debates-- which I'm fairly sure that he will -- he also needs to come off as "presidential." He will absolutely need to avoid Gore's mistakes 4 years ago, with the rolling of the eyes, deep sighs, etc.

A lot of voters don't like Bush, but can't yet accept Kerry as an alternative. If Kerry gets his debate points in against Dumbya, AND comes off looking presidential doing it, he will win over a lot of those fence-sitters. It worked for Reagan against Jimmy Carter in '80.

Does anyone know which Kerry team member is in charge of debate preparation? I remember reading some names some time ago, but I just can't recall the right one.

LHJ