Kerry's Wife Calls Debates 'Silly'

[Khephra]

Kerry's Wife Calls Debates 'Silly'
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: November 4, 2003


Filed at 11:24 a.m. ET

BOSTON (AP) -- Teresa Heinz Kerry, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, says nine-way presidential debates are ``silly'' and a waste of time for the candidates and the voters.

``I don't think it really helps the American people, I don't think it helps the candidates,'' Heinz Kerry told the Boston Herald in an interview published Tuesday, the same day her husband was to face his rivals in a debate in his home town.

Heinz Kerry said debates have become about scoring a punch with quick soundbites.

``It's just silly,'' she said. ``I think those debates are really unproductive and they made it hard for all of them to (get their message across).''

more...............

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Debates-Heinz-Kerry.html

The original Boston Herald interview:

Teresa: Debates 'silly'
http://www2.bostonherald.com/news/local_regional/kerr11042003.htm

[Rowdyboy]

1. 100% agreement with Mrs Kerry

Having nine adults waiting around to get 90 seconds to respond to a 4 minute question put to them by a self-agrandizing "moderator" is not a debate. Its our silly, bastardized definition. Absolutely worthless.

I still watch them tough.

[dave29]

2. Ironically I think

Kerry does well at the debates. Even though he is not my favorite.

[kstewart33]

3. I agree

The number of candidates have reduced the candidates to looking silly, straining so hard to make the most of their 2 or 3 minutes of air time. It's sound bite city, and it does not help the Dems or the Dem party.

I've stopped watching them until the number of candidates are reduced to no more than 4.

[piece sine]

6. you are sooooooooooo right BUT...

those of us suggesting that at least the bottom-tier make-way for candidates with a real chance get flamed real-hard at DU.

So Al and Carol an Dennis and John and Joe get to keep their face time on national TV, even though it takes VALUABLE time away from the Democratic front-runners ability to even the match-up against a powerful, wealthy and unchallenged GOP candidate.

[Upfront]

21. She is right

and so are you, piece sine.

[Blue_Roses]

4. I enjoy watching

the debates, however, I agree, that it does make it hard to get to know each candidate better, but, I love watching the banter and knowing that we have 9 people who are headstrong against beating Bush, no matter what the odds are right now, is energizing and makes me smile--and there hasn't been alot to smile about in the last 3 years.

:kick:

[Emboldened Chimp]

5. I also agree

It's time a few of the candidates realize that their ambitions are hopeless: Gephardt, Leiberman, Mosley-Braun and Kucinich should drop out immediately. A five-way race between Clark, Dean, Kerry, Edwards and Sharpton (he needs to stay) would be much more productive and interesting.

[asjr]

8. candidates

Yes, with so many candidates on it does not give them enough time to really get into issues, but it does give them airtime to keep them out there. We have so many good candidates and will be a while until a nominee is chosen. But it does give the public an insight into just how much better they are than the Repubs. CNN is giving Shrub all the airtime he needs even if he blows it half the time. We know where they are coming from. I am suprised CNN hasn't filmed his toilet tendencies. They clean his rear end so well.

[Castilleja]

9. I could live with your line-up

Would at least make it easier to get a little more in depth in debates.

[Khephra]

7. Make sure you read the added link that I edited in

There's a bit more in it than her just thinking it's silly.

"But Heinz Kerry gave voice to complaints made repeatedly by her husband. Kerry has said the faceoffs are not ``real debates'' and he has challenged front-runner Howard Dean of Vermont to one-on-one debates."

[blm]

16. No...Kerry accepted Dean's proffer that Kerry go face to face

with him on their disputes. The media twisted that Face the Nation interview to say that Kerry challenged Dean to a debate.

[Mz Pip]

10. I agree

The "How will you provide jobs for the 3 million people out of work?" question in 60 seconds or less format is pointless.

Serious policy issues should not be "debated" in sound bites.

MzPip
:dem:

[Shylock]

11. they are

a joke with such a croiwded field but I'll be there tonight!

[helleborient]

12. Why not...

Just have a big ole chunk of network time for all 9 candidates to send independent films promoting their candidacy...run them all in a randomized order.

I think the most important thing about the debates at this point is exposure...and there are possibly better ways to do that than simply encouraging them to argue and fling accusations.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[XanaDUer]

14. Huh?

"Mrs. Heinz wears the pants in the house. She'll probably be Mrs. Republican President..."

:eyes:

[chiburb]

15. Just wondering if maybe you should/could..

Identify yourself as a Dean supporter? Then perhaps your comments could be seen in the proper context (?)

[Ellen Forradalom]

17. Excuse me but 'Deanie' and 'rude person' are not synonymous

I'm a Deanie and I would not diss Mrs. Kerry that way. I hear she's a fine lady, cultured and candid.

On edit: Chiburb took exception to my use of the word 'slander.'

[helleborient]

19. Or supporter of Gephardt, Lieberman, Edwards, Kucinich, Sharpton, or Braun

[Ellen Forradalom]

18. Perhaps they should be called 'Q&A Sessions'

since that is what they are.

[WindRavenX]

20. The problem with the debates is that...

1)There have been close to, what, 10 seperate debate forums already?
2)There are too many canidates
3)If all of the canidates are to participate in the debate, then the length of responces should be much longer.
From the debates I've seen, it's the same things over and over. Just when a canidate is starting to get into an interesting point, he/she is out of time. It's extremely frustrating to me.
I think that instead of having all of the canidates doing a debate, it should be instead 2 or 3 canidates having focused, lengthy, and specific subject debates. From the debates I've seen, it's basically
"What's your position on _____ and what would you change?" Having focused rounds between, say, DK and Kerry, would allow shake ups and allow canidates that have no chance (DK, Sharpton, etc.) have at least fair coverage. Then have a Dean/Clark debate..you see what I'm getting at. One on one matches or something!
Having debates between all of them is WAY too chaotic...
That's just my thoughts anyway...

[jsw_81]

22. Ketchup billionaire doesn't like debates? I'm shocked

She probably thinks her husband should be crowned without any of that messy democracy stuff.

[Pez]

23. you mean "most giving philanthropist on earth"... right?

i am a mazed at how people will trash a candidate's wife, one of the most giving philanthropists on earth, because she has money. if she hoarded all her money and stuffed her bed tick with $100 bills while laughing "let them eat cake" i could see your point. but, then again, there is Reality to consider.

[Bunny]

24. Lovely.

Attack the candidates wife. You obviously don't know much about Teresa.

[w4rma]

25. THEN QUIT ATTACKING THE OTHER DEMS

The fist debate was absolutely fantastic. Why? Because they didn't spend their time sniping at one another. (With the exception of Lieberman who went all out on Dean and a minor attack from Kucinich on Dean.)

[bleedingheart]

26. I agree with Theresa

these current debates are conducted poorly which I don't think is the fault of the candidates