BUSH DUCKING DEBATE
Find a Conversation
| 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
Patriotism means to stand by the Country. It does not mean to stand by the President. -- Theodore Roosevelt.

Pages
I wish there were other viable choices.
Kerry may end up looking foolish depending on the questions, even though Bush speaks like he has a knot in his tongue.
Just for the record, I didn't say you hated Bush, I said the bitter, angry rhetoric appeals to those who do, of whom there are many...
Ditto, LOL!!
As I've mentioned many times before here, I'm CERTAINLY not wild about W's speaking abilities-it's a big flaw, and not one I'm willing to say (like others are) just doesn't matter. But I do think he has a straightforward and sincere quality to him that appeals to a lot of people. I cna't even say I support all of his views-on gay marriage, on the death penalty, on his proposed immigration policy, I disagree. But on what's most important to me-national security, education, a free market economy, and not creating any more of the massive government entitlement programs that are the REAL cause of our huge debts, I support him.
That Nyquil is good stuff ;)
Touche! How about, a little more than half the nation?
Pages