People who think Kerry can "win" the debate are kidding themselves

[dolstein]

The fact is, Kerry can't win on points. He can't win on substance. Why? Because the traditional media will go out of their way to avoid declaring a "winner". Do you really think the New York Times is going to run a banner headline saying "Forceful Kerry Overwhelms Bush in First Debate"? Not a chance. The New York Post would, in a heartbeat, but they're not on our side.

That's the problem folks. Virtually all of the figures in the media who are actually willing to declare a winner are all Bush supporters. And you just know they're going to stick to the script regardless of what Bush does. Sorry, but Al Franken and Paul Krugman are simply in no position to start a media groundswell -- they'll easily be drowned out by the right.

It would really take a gaffe of epic proportions on Bush's part, or the comeback line of the century (think "you're no Kennedy" to the nth power) on Kerry's part to make this a win for Kerry. And that's EXTREMELY unlikely to happen. The rules that the Bush campaign has negotiated pretty much guarantee that. The answers are going to be kept short, which means Bush won't have the time to stray off message. And the candidates are forbidden from addressing each other.

The most likely outcome is that we'll a boring and uninformative debate, and that's exactly what the Bush campaign wants. Because they know that absent a complete disaster, the partisan press will score it as a Bush victory.

[Trajan]

1. Hopeless Cynic is You ...

[mourningdove92]

2. Highest voter registration ever. Most going to Dems.

Who gives a flying f@#* what the media says.

[Spangle]

3. People/Gore Won:::: Media/Bush won

You may have a point. During the debates between Gore and Kerry, everyone was talking about how Gore was screaming Bush. Even the media. The next day... The Media says Bush won.

That was 2000. People no longer have rose colored glasses when it comes to Bush. In 2000, when the media told them Bush won, they just that "they" personaly was stupid for not "seeing" what the experts seen. Publicly, anyone who said anything positve about Gore was trash. And you would be jumped for saying anything negative about Bush. Not the same in 2004.

The media can say all they want to. The people are sick of Bush his "cutie pie" kid games. THey want someone serious about issues.

[clydefrand]

4. Just heard on PBS tonight: Jim Lehrer was showing

old footage of interviews with the following presidents: Ford, Carter, Regan, Bush(1), and Clinton. Both Carter and Clinton gave detailed answers about the value and the positive effects of the debates. Ford was also positive; Regan was a little reticent, but didn't say they shouldn't be, but Bush 1 was totally negative!!! Presidents shouldn't be judged on how they debate, etc. etc. Surprising??? Certainly not. He and the shrub really love debates..on their terms only.

[jumpstart33]

5. Karen already has four "one-liners" for Bush to stick in at the opportune

time. Problem is, he is so dumb he may stick them in at the wrong places.

[henslee]

12. The same kind of one liners he fed the Bush twins at the RNC? I hope so!

[wtmusic]

6. It'd be a hoot if Kerry went off script

and said something like, "I know our agreement doesn't allow us to address each other, Mr. President, but let's have a true debate here--are you willing to answer some of my questions, if I agree to answer yours?"

Bush would shit his pants.

[xray s]

7. best thing Kerry could do is this

first question, turn to Bush and say

"Mr Bush, over 1000 Americans have died in Iraq, and thousands more have been horribly injured. The situation on the ground is deteriorating, the CIA forecasts for the future range between dismal and catastrophic. For months I have been asking you to debate these issues, but you have insisted on a format tonight that is nothing more than a joint press conference designed to spin 90 second sound bites.

Mr. Bush, The American people deserve better. They deserve a true debate. Lets put aside these dumb rules and give the people what they desperately need, a debate about the future of this country. I am ready for that debate. All you have to do is take a stand, right now, and agree to spend the next 90 minutes really discussing these issues. We can do this in a way that respects each other, and the American public.

Will you join me in this debate? It's your call."

[Catfight]

8. How about simply, "Why aren't you MAD as hell that you got poor

intelligence and kids are dying every day because of it? Let's both say together, "Rummy, YOU'RE FIRED! Because Mr. Bush, I'm mad as hell no one is paying for that mistake except the innocent soldiers and innocent bystanders in Iraq."

[G_j]

9. it is already written

"Bush Won"

Instead of listening to them, I think I will watch "Bullworth" and let off some tension.

[wanpete]

10. True if...

one listens to the talking heads afterwards who will immediately declare * the winner hands down. We've got to think for ourselves and not be swayed by what we know will be said about Kerry. Vote people, and take many others to the polls with you. That's the true reality of a Kerry win.

[Rowdyboy]

11. Despair, disaster, total doom and devastation

All is lost!

Sorry, I'm no Pollyanna, but if I believed all you say, I wouldn't even bother getting out of bed in the morning.

Gore was well-behind in October and won, in spite of Clinton fatigue. I'm not ready to surrender yet, not by a long shot. Quit watching so much news, it depresses people and makes them think their votes don't matter. We need to be pumping voter turnout, not depressing it and each other.

Its all hopeless anyway, right? Not to me. Not just yet.

[Carolinian]

13. Of course he won't win the scoring - that's all predetermined by the

media. Kennedy didn't win the debate with Nixon either. But remember, there are many out there who want to hear a civil discussion of the issues. I believe that Kerry can win over these voters if his answers are clear, concise and in sharp contrast to the current administration's course. Kerry doesn't have to come up with exact plans although Bush (and pundits) will try to corner him to do so. Kerry has to instill serious doubt about the Bush administration.
Absolutely no droning allowed - this drove me crazy in the primary debates.

[KoKo]

14. All we can do is hope that the Chimp starts to sweat or drool. We

can send ((((vibes))) his way that might encourage him to that and more.

What else can we do at this point. No point getting all crazed over it.

Kerry is on his own. We can't hold him up...it's up to him. We can't change the media at this point either. We just have to keep working hard and sent hate male to the cables and networks if we don't like the "spin." Same thing we've been doing...