How is Bush looking to weasel out of debates?

[jjmalonejr]

I've seen some charges that the Bush campaign is trying to weasel out of debates.

Anyone have any links?

[7th_Sephiroth]

1. HE CANT!

its in the constitution

[jjmalonejr]

4. Not that I'm aware of.

There are no provisions in the Constitution for presidential debates that I'm aware of.

[7th_Sephiroth]

11. its in there

look

[jjmalonejr]

12. Yeah, right.

How 'bout you tell me where it is?

[jjmalonejr]

13. In fact, here's a link to the full text

http://www.house.gov/Constitution/Constitution.html

Search for the word debate. Let me know what you find.

[buycitgo]

2. nope

Brian Lamb had a half hour segment on it this morning

word is out that's what he's doing

lots of calls on other shows on the subject, too

it'll open wide today

[Ghetto_Boy]

3. He won't.... Kerry will crush him

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Shoot himself in the foot, maybe?

[jeff30997]

6. The guy couldn't win a debate against a 10 years old so...

That's why they don't want him to do it.

[NewJeffCT]

21. Don't underestimate Bush, this is all a ploy by Rove

Bush has beaten both Al Gore and Ann Richards in debates. While those of us here on DU may disagree about that, the bar was set so f-ing low ahead of time for Bush by Bush's handlers that when he didn't drool on the floor & have his head do a 360 a la Linda Blair, he was declared the winner.

Right now, they're pretending they want out of the debates to make it look like they're afraid of Kerry - this is how they set the bar even lower than in 2000.

[jeff30997]

22. I agree whit you except...

That Dubya is deteriorating at an amazing pace.The guy is crumbling!

[realFedUp]

7. Debates on are Jewish holidays....

He may put on a yarmulka....

[jeff30997]

23. Yarmulka ?

Wait a minute until i Google that expression...

[jeff30997]

24. Ahhh! Ok ! Now i understand your joke !

[zbdent]

8. color code shifts to red

non-stop terror coverage on the news channels . . .

[CarolynEC]

9. I hope if he does weasel out, the 'debates' will go on...

JK should insist, "Hey I'm here -- I'm ready and willing to answer your questions. Let's do it."

90 mins of JK connecting with America... nice!

[Kahuna]

10. According to Brian Lamb this AM, bush wants his buds, Russert and Larry

King to moderate. Even Al Gore was smart enough not to fall for that trap.

[Bread and Circus]

14. Why should he weasel out of them...he's going to "win" them...

and I mean that sarcastically.

Nonetheless, the fix and the filter are in. Bush won't "lose" these debates no matter how stupid he looks and really is. The modern day journal world, which has a penchant for fiction these days, will spin yarns of his success in jousting with Kerry.

Even in the worst-case scenario for Bush it will be spun as a tie and "debates are just not his thing".

I other words, Bush seems to have nothing to lose as he has "protection". Why would he need to weasel out of them?

[BillZBubb]

15. No doubt Rove will be playing this card to the hilt.

It's right out of the Repug playbook and regular as clockwork. They'll threaten to forego the debates. Then they'll make their demands on moderators, formats, questions, venues, time limits, settings, and agendas.

I would not be surprised to see a last minute insistence that Ralph Nader must be allowed in the debates. With Nader using up a third of the time attacking both Bush* and Kerry, that is a neutral factor for Bush*. It allows that much less time for him to flub up, or for Kerry to eviscerate him.

What will be interesting is the Kerry response. If he folds, like the Dems always have in the past, it won't be good. He needs to say: "Fine, then, I'll show up and you can do whatever you want. I'll have a good discussion with the audience."

[michigandem2]

16. red alert?

I don't know I just dont' think there will be 3 debates..he will weasel out of most or all of them if he can but I think that is truly going to be the end of bush...unless he can somehow make it look like Kerry did it??? I am not holding my breath though....nothing can be assumed with this guy

[democrat_patriot]

17. Here's what will happen

1. Questions 10 days in advance.

2. Republican moderators.

3. Nader invited (as per earlier post).

4. 2 without audience, or with republican picked audience.

5. No interaction allowed between candidates.

[democrat_patriot]

18. Any links to 2000 debates?

I'd like to watch. I didn't then, and I wonder how Gore didn't crush him...

[democrat_patriot]

19. Link to officeial debate page here:

http://www.debates.org/

[Walt Starr]

20. Kerry absolutely must NOT give in to any demands from Bush

Stay the course, Senator Kerry. do not give in. You've already agreed to the debates and the formats. Any attempt to alter that should be met with a charge of Bush being scared.