Are the debates a Catch-22?

[Bleacher Creature]

We've all heard the lame talking point by the media whores that Kerry needs to get tough with Bush -- i.e. if he can't stand up for himself during the campaign . . . blah, blah, blah.

But if he gets too tough with Bush during the debates, do Wolfie, Candy, O'Really, etc. start saying that he was too much of a bully against a President who is the king of low expectations?

[seabeyond]

1. yes, i think they are

but kerry needs the exposure and put out his message next to bush. i think if he just ignored bush and used it as the time to talk to the people it would be a good thing

[jpgray]

2. I think it's clear from the DNC coverage Kerry is screwed either way

If he is too soft and amiable, he's weak and loses. If he's too aggressive and standoffish, he's angry and Bush-bashing, and he loses. Remember the Convention--all the media talked about was how scripted it was, and then when Sharpton did something off-script, they descended like a pack of vipers on him. All through the week they admonished the Democrats not to simply engage in nonstop Bush-bashing, and then grudgingly acknowledged that the DNC was positive. Then they went to the RNC and lapped up all the hate and vitriol right the speakers dished out with nothing but awe and praise.

Either way, with the major media outlets, Kerry will be spun to have failed.

[noamnety]

3. It's media exposure

It's a chance for him to speak for more than 15 seconds on national tv. And people who are not democrats (and so didn't watch the convention) will listen to what he has to say. This is a good thing.

[mhollis]

4. Bush won against Gore

Essentially by not "sighing."

Both Kerry and Bush are good debaters. And niether has ever lost. That makes the idea of a debate interesting. I don't know that Bush has accepted any debates, though.

[LisaLynne]

5. Here is my unstudied ...

take on it. It's the same with the Gore/Bush debates. Gore was, let's face it, way, way, way smarter than 90 IQ Bush. When he let that show in the debates, everybody felt sorry for poor W because mean old smartypants Gore made W look like the fool he is. So, Gore tried to tone down the eye rolls (for that, the man must be the pinnacle of control -- my eyes roll out of my head when I see W on TV), and then ... it seemed as though W was winning the debates b/c Gore didn't hit him hard.

So, for Kerry ... I don't know what he's going to do to counter that. I'm not a political adviser, so ... I wonder, however, if W isn't going to be more on the attack in these debates, thinking that he's got more of a standing. If he's aggressive at all, I think Kerry will be able to hit back without seeming as though he's picking on the dumb kid in school. After all, can we still rejoice in W's lack of intelligence if he's supposed to be leading our nation in a time of war?

All my speculation and opinion, of course! :)

[Bleacher Creature]

7. It really shouldn't matter--but you're probably right.

Bush loves to point out how things have changed because of 9/11. How we need a strong-willed person for these difficult times.

And yet, his campaign still needs him to look like the dumb kid in school (great analogy btw) so that they can preempt his more intelligent challenger.

[mikehiggins]

6. Kerry has to reach the American public directly

IF that means spelling out what a fuck up failure Bush* is, that's what has to be done.

NOTHING Kerry says will be reported straight.

EVERYTHING will be twisted in favor of the administration.

How can anyone on this board even IMAGINE it being any different?

Haven't you been paying attention?

[ogradda]

8. phfftt...

they'll get on him no matter what anyway. reality checks aren't their strong suit.

[cheshire]

9. Life is a catch 22 more so right now. Will the debates change anyones mind

[Skarbrowe]

10. Kerry will win! Kerry will win! Ah, but

when I saw Kerry on Tweety's Hardball College Tour ( I've posted this several times, sorry. ) he wasn't all that great at the question and answer thing. I know I might get slammed as a doom and gloom sayer, but I'm not. I'm just aware of Kerry's weaknesses when it comes to actually having to put himself out on a limb on a subject. Hopefully, he realizes this is his last chance and he better say everything he TRULY believes in and succinctly puts across every answer to every question he is given. It certainly won't be the time to play it safe. Obviously, he needs to be firm but not condescending, knowledgable but not know-it-all, serious but not unable to crack a great big smile every now and then. He needs to make sure he is looking Bush straight in the eye every time Bush has to answer a question. He needs to look loose and comfortable. We all know he's much more intelligent than Bush, but he also has to be quick witted. Bush is going to do the good ole boy thing again and again and try and throw in non-sensical one liners to make everyone laugh and to get Kerry off balance.

I've never seen Kerry in a debate. If anyone has, they can probably call it a lot better than I can. This all just a gut feeling on my part.

Kerry will win!

Skarbrowe