BUSH DUCKING DEBATE

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2004
BUSH DUCKING DEBATE
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Wed, 09-15-2004 - 10:45am

Presidential Debates and Missed Opportunities<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />


Wednesday, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />September 15, 2004; Page A24


The president has been offered a rare opportunity to discuss key issues and concerns with Americans and appears to be leaning toward declining it . President Bush seems to be concerned about the town-hall-meeting format of the second debate, in which undecided voters picked by the Gallup Organization would ask the candidates questions. The Post noted that the Bush campaign is concerned that "people could pose as undecided when they actually are partisans."


Can't the president answer citizens' questions, partisan or not?


+++++++


I am extremely unhappy about the prospect of the president skipping the most critical of the three debates. But I am not surprised, given that the 1992 town-hall-style debate is largely seen as the nail in the coffin of his father's reelection bid and given the great pains the White House has taken to insulate President Bush from criticism and the opinions of Americans who are not vocal supporters.


Rather than canceling the town-hall debate, the Commission on Presidential Debates should leave an empty stool on stage next to the candidate who does show up. That might make for the most interesting presidential debate in years.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21915-2004Sep14.html?referrer=email


 

Donna

Patriotism means to stand by the Country. It does not mean to stand by the President. -- Theodore Roosevelt.

Donna

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2004
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 7:18pm
< I think Kerry is going to have a hard enough time debating himself, since he has taken just about every side of most of the issues out there today.>

Yes, it will be interesting to see which John Kerry apppears at the debates-will it be John "I'm the anti-war candidate" Kerry, or John "knowing everything I know I would have voted the same way" Kerry? Will it be John "pull all the troops out of Iraq" Kerry, or John "we don't have enough troops in Iraq" Kerry? John "we need to spend whatever it takes" Kerry? Or John "the war is costing us too much" Kerry? I'm on the edge of my seat, actually. Maybe we'll get a different one at each debate, that would be fun.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2004
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 7:34pm
<>

Absolutely true! I think if he can manage to pronounce his name correctly, he'll be declared the winner....

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2004
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 8:18pm


You're right-Gore was expected to so completely trounce W in the debates, the fact that Bush didn't totally screw up was seen as a huge victory. Kerry has a lot of the same problems Gore (and Dole, for that matter) had, being basically a boring windbag who comes across as rather angry and bitter in tone rather than inspiring and hopeful, and repeating the same tired, meaningless slogans (tax cuts for the rich! tax cuts for the rich!). Now I know that angry and bitter part appeals to a a lot of Bush haters at the moment, but it's not going to win over the undecideds.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-20-2003
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 8:49pm
Why are you supporting George W Bush?
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2004
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 10:27pm
I don't hate Bush! I merely disagree with most of his policies, and am disappointed in his performance the last 4 years. I find HIM very uninspiring and full of meaningless slogans also: "Kerry, fear, 9/11, Kerry, fear, be afraid, Kerry,9/11, fear, BUT--we're safer now than we have been." Despite that, I am not a "Bush hater", that would imply a passion about him that I just do not possess. Looking forward to the debates, and hoping he has something of interest to say.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2004
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 10:54pm
Actually, liveanew, being totally honest, I'm not wild about Kerry's speaking style either, it's just that his beliefs gell more with my family's and mine. At primary time, we were for Howard Dean...worked on one of his grassroots committees locally. I know he scared a lot of people, but what scared people about him is what made us love him! We wanted someone who was that passionate and had that fire in his belly to change things! He actually gave this party a much needed kick in the butt (thought they still have FAR to go!), but wouldn't play the games of the DC Democrats (this is my husband's theory, anyway!). We should probably be members of the Green Party, but we're more realistic than idealistic (no disrespect to any Greens out there)....

Sorry, I'm rambling (my Nyquil's starting to kick in!) and I'm sure you're thinking "What is she TALKING about?" I just wanted to clarify my position that not all Dems are Bush haters.......
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 11:38pm
I agree. In the beginning I liked Bush, but lately I find myself disagreeing more with him. I don't hate him or anything like that. Hate is such a strong emotion. I just disagree with his ways and his views. XOXO.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Fri, 09-17-2004 - 7:42am
What in the world is "Kerry koolaide"?
The first key to wisdom is constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth.  -
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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Fri, 09-17-2004 - 7:46am

"Funny how the horrendous speaker of drivel inspired a nation at his convention this year, while his opponent...."


I am sure that Bush's speech did not inspire the entire nation.

The first key to wisdom is constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth.  -
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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Fri, 09-17-2004 - 8:24am

It might just be me but I am not looking for an exciting president and I really don't think that anyone is not going to vote for Kerry simply because he's boring so his persona is another non-issue that the media is attempting to make an issue.

The first key to wisdom is constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth.  -

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