Why did Kerry agree to these debate rules?

[neoteric lefty]

I am not trying to start some heated argument, I just wonder why Kerry, a superb debater, signed this agreement that wouldn't allow him to walk around or address Bush or perform other actions in the debtaes. Does anyone have a good reason for this? I am just wondering.

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. my understanding is that he basically said,

'whatever you want, let's just have the damned debates, you chicken-hawk chimp!' (perhaps not an exact quote)

[wolfgirl]

2. He agreed

because he can debate anyone (with one arm tied behind his back). Bush pushed the rules and if Kerry had balked at anything, it would be major headline news that would just hurt him. Kerry will do just fine - rules be damned.

[cheshire]

3. Maybe because he doesn't need all the drama others did. He doesn't

move around and seems to stick to debate rules like he learned in school. I think that is good. The media will have less to say negative about him.

[nycmjkfan]

4. My understanding

was that giving Bush and his goons all their requests was the only way that they would agree to the 3 debates.

[cidliz2004]

7. That was my understanding to

Bushco "My way or no 3 debates"

Kerry "O.K."


Question: What would happen if Kerry didn't follow all of the rules, could you just imagine Bush's face if Kerry played along just long enough to get Bush nice and comfy cosy and then pulled out a whopper - I can see the DUMBFOUNDED LOOK on Bush's face, like "Fuck! He can't say/do that!" WHAAAAAAA DICK!!!!!

[cidliz2004]

9. Think again!

This is T H E M E D I A that we are talking about! After all what did the media do to Dean's scream? Wasn't there a total MISREPRESENTATION involved there? Remember The Iraq War? Where was the media on that one? The media is the single biggest problem in this country....YES, even AFTER Bush.

[onehandle]

5. The threatened to kill his children.

At least that's the rumor I'm starting.

[Arkana]

6. Did he have a frickin' choice?

If he held out, the media would have a field day! Calling him "weak and spineless" and "Why can't he debate the President? Is he scared?"

[alarcojon]

8. What I heard on Olbermann last night

is that the Kerry camp made all these concessions in order to get a major concession from the Bush camp - three debates.

They also mentioned some of the parameters - including one about the temperature of the building. The Bush people wanted it warmer because Kerry sweated at some debate in the past!

[RoyGBiv]

10. Botox BABY!!!!

Okay, I'm mostly kidding, but then that particular requirement is a joke in and of itself.

Any decent make-up artist will keep this from being an issue.

[Rooktoven]

11. Interesting...

I think I'd rather have the head-to-head than have three without it. Hell, I'd take _one_ head-to-head. Maybe they want maximum exposure, but I'd go with the potential kill blow.

(Nevertheless think John will do fine...)

[okieinpain]

12. kerry should not debate bush, he should use this time to talk to

the voters. he should only address bush when bush starts in with that flip/flop crap. then he should be stern, but calm. he has to becareful because the whore's will be looking to use the slighest thing. hell even my suggestion is bad because they will say he was drugged up.

[shraby]

14. I'm sure Kerry and his people

agreed for a reason. Two questions, when Kerry throws shrub a curveball what will shrub do and how can they penalize Kerry besides what the media says..but the media will have their say AFTER shrub has to handle the curveball.

[DieboldMustDie]

15. I believe the rules prohibit the candidates...

from directly addressing one another. :shrug:

[RoyGBiv]

13. Besides things already mentioned ...

It's a strategic move. Kerry is left having basically said, "Look, I want three debates. Put that at the top of the paper, and you can fill in the rest." It doesn't necessarily help Kerry, but it keeps him from being hurt by allowing others to claim Kerry made too many demands, and you know Rove and major media would jump on that if it happened, no matter who was really to blame.

[Awsi Dooger]

16. We got conned when Rove and Co. used fear, same thing they always rely on

They floated that story about skipping the town hall debate several weeks in advance to gain advantage in debate negotiations. Just another massive advantage of incumbency. A JFK or Bill Clinton would have correctly called them on the bluff and won our share of concessions. At least there will be a pre-debate handshake.

[neoteric lefty]

17. I have been thinking it over and maybe this does favor Kerry

The debates, if the rules are followed, will basically be a policy debate, albeit short. The rules may actually hurt Bush because it limits what a candidate can do, which means none of Bushy's little Texas strut and Bar-B-Q-like demeanor which seems to mesmerize certain segments of the population. He will have to focus on the issues at hand, which he can't. I just wish that the candidates had more than a minute to reply to a question.

[LisaL]

18. I guess Kerry figured he better have limited debates

than no debates at all.

[Bran Bal]

19. Possibly because

Bush refused to have it any other way and made some child like argument along the lines of "we have it my way or I take my ball and go home".

[DeepModem Mom]

20. kick