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
Well, actually I agree with you, but that does make me wonder why Dole lost to Clinton...seriously though, I try hard not to choose my president based on personality, but it's a simple fact of political life that there IS a likeability factor involved for a lot of people, whether we want there to be or not.
That's why I said that the angry bitter tone only appeals to the Bush haters-not everyone critical of Bush hates him, but you can't deny there are plenty of people who do. I know many personally.
I would bet that SOME type of diversion keeps GW from the presidential debates. Maybe another terrorist attack, maybe a HUGE occurance, maybe they will "find" WOMD's in Iraq, and need to suck up all the medias time, making it seem as if he was pulled away at the last moment. I will bet on it.
Yes, but I am even more afraid that these same reasons may be used for stopping the elections. Florida is having hurricanes this year, the new voting machines may be shut down and delay the voting, etc. and cause the president to have to be appointed by the supreme court again. They will use any excuse, as we know.
Patriotism means to stand by the Country. It does not mean to stand by the President. -- Theodore Roosevelt.
Why would he want to stop the presidential debates? They had a great deal to do with him getting elected last time.
Venus
Pages