The Repubs are very anxious about tonight's debate.....

[kentuck]

They do not have a lot of faith in Dubya to perform up to minimal standards. They follow the crowd for mostly partisan reasons but they don't really have a lot of confidence in Mr Bush to perform under pressure. They know in their hearts he is an incompetent. They console themselves with the myth that he is a strong leader and is decisive. But they are as nervous as cats in a dog pound.

[Cyrano]

1. Yeah, but FOX is running the pool cameras for all the other stations.

It's all about image, not content. Do you think that Fox will let a bad shot of Bush get out. On the other hand, if Kerry scratches his nose, they'll broadcast it and say it was a sign of disrespect toward the president.

[ChocolateSaltyBalls]

3. Forgive me if I'm wrong............

but even if Fox is physically manning the cameras, the feeds are still being given to the directors of the other news departments of the the other networks, and these directors are the final arbiters of which shots make it on air.....in this case, Fox can only do so much.

[unfrigginreal]

5. Ummm

let's see, Fox gives me a left, right or center shot of a single bead of sweat on Kerry's forehead. Which do I show?

Meanwhile, no shot of Bush while he's picking his nose.

[ChocolateSaltyBalls]

10. Ummmmmm...............

You would probably pick the shot that showed the person speaking.

These people are professionals, and believe it or not they are not conspiring to bring down Kerry.

[unfrigginreal]

12. LOL

"These people are professionals, and believe it or not they are not conspiring to bring down Kerry."

The most naive statement ever.

[ChocolateSaltyBalls]

17. Perhaps in your paranoid world...........

not in mine.

[unfrigginreal]

21. So, Fox doesn't have a dog in this hunt?

Things must really be rosy where you live.

[ChocolateSaltyBalls]

22. What don't you understand?...........

Fox is providing a variety of raw camera feeds to the larger networks, and it is from this variety that the various network directors will make their decisions on which shot gets aired.

It makes no difference who Fox likes.

[demokatgurrl]

14. You're right, I don't believe it. n't

[pacalo]

6. I had a thought about this...

CNN & Faux News are lapdogs for this administration, right? CNN's article declaring that the networks are not going to follow the debates contract's rules is contrary to their usual support for this administration. Faux News, of course, has exclusive handling of the camerawork.

Just suppose the networks were told by Rove to put the word out that the networks are going to ignore the rules. This would leave the door open for some unflattering shots of Kerry, which I don't expect to happen, but all the same, the point of putting the word out is for Kerry to let down his guard on stage.

[ChocolateSaltyBalls]

11. The only trouble is that I can't.............

'just suppose' that the networks were told by Rove to do anything.

I think there's a misguided percentage of people that take the whole 'Rove Mastermind/Genius' thing way too far.

[Cyrano]

13. Ummmm, if you don't think Fox is an arm of the Republican party

then I haven't the slightest idea of how to enlighten you. However, don't feel too bad. I myself have posted many messages which, when I looked back upon them, made me feel like a screaming asshole.

[ChocolateSaltyBalls]

18. Perhaps you are a.............

screaming asshole.

[Cyrano]

19. And perhaps you're a freeper?

Questioning the validity of something isn't a bad thing. But relying on Fox's neutrality is pure foolishness. Let me try this one more time:

FOX IS AN ARM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

If that was too obscure or confusing, please let me know.

[ChocolateSaltyBalls]

20. No it wasn't obscure, nor was it confusing........

and I must say you have a wonderful flair for the obvious.

I wasn't talking about Fox.

Freeper.......too funny.

[RetroLounge]

23. You're wrong and you're not forgiven

Now wake the fuck up...

FOX NEWS is a department in the White House.

If you don't see this, then you are beyond help.

RL

[Nite Owl]

2. Kerry giving into so many of *'s

demands reminds me of a father letting his little boy get the 'head start' in a race. * is the little kid who needs some advantage to compete because Kerry is the one in charge. I think he will do well and they should be very anxious. * may try some flip remarks but it won't work, this topic is too serious.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

4. I don't know why they're worried

This isn't going to be a debate; *'s performance will be more scripted than any robot's in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" at Disneyland. No matter what the questions are the Chimp will have been programmed to respond with 45 second answers that reinforce his entire campaign: (1) terrorists are evil; (2) the world is better off without Saddam Hussein; (3) things are going well in Iraq; (4) sending an uncertain message (i.e., disagreeing with me) gives aid and comfort to the terrorists, and (5) I am steadfast and my opponent is a flip-flopper.

Plus, there are 32 pages of rules to cover his ass, and *'s campaign has already said that if even one of those rules is broken then they won't do the other two debates. This helps him because it makes him look resolute -- a man who isn't afraid to stand up for his principles -- and at the same time let voters see * regurgitate his foreign policy strengths while avoiding the need to address domestic issues.

Why else would * insist on making the foreign affairs debate first rather than last, its traditional position? And why would they give in to having three debates versus two? Because they only intend to do this one debate.

Last night on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" the reporter who will cover the debate had already written his story declaring * the winner. "Isn't it wrong to have written your story aleady?" an incredulous Stewart asked. "The debate hasn't even been held yet!" "No, Jon, everybody does it." It was a great slam at the media whores.

The Repugs have nothing to worry about. This game is fixed like the ring toss at the county fair. Besides, Fox is going to run the cameras. If things start looking bad for their boy, they can always pull the plug and claim "technical difficulties".

[LiberalCat]

7. My thoughts exactly.

Only one debate, debate results a foregone conclusion, and *bush reaction shots unavailable because of "technical difficulties", but Kerry reaction shots plentiful.

[Union Thug]

8. In that case...

Kerry should attack unmercilessly and forfeit the other debates. Exposing the stupid chimp for the incompetent boob that he is is far more important than two additional hyped up press conferences.

[Nashyra]

9. As far as the camera angles go

Kerry just has to remember he is "on" at all times and act accordingly.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

16. Exactly...

Previous poster was correct that this is essentially a press conference. The only wrinkle is that both candidates are giving it simultaneously and are not even necessarily going to react to statements made by the other guy.

But tonight is important because it allows undecided voters to see that Kerry is confident and capable of leadership. The Swift Boat Veterans aren't around to slime him. Frankly, the best thing that Kerry could do tonight is to ignore Bush as much as humanly possible and make his statements to the American people. Be smart. Be honest.

[ItsMyParty]

15. Kentuck--you know, tonight the republicans have a total different

bird up there on stage (and they always knew he had the brain of said bird). Tonight this asshole does not have any plans or solutions he just has empty platitudes. They assume that lines like "stay the course" repeated 10 times will fool the idiots. They know Kerry has a message and not soundbites (in fact heard this morning that Kerry said he will not be supplying soundbites but discussing the issues). They have to be afraid that after 90 long minutes the clown will look like an empty suit.