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

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