Would a 2 person debate have an impact on the nomination?

[SangamonTaylor]

The next CNN debate could be Kerry v. Edwards according to CNN. I don't know how I feel about this, I wish that Edwards would get more debate time (considering Kerry had almost 2 times the face time in the last debate), but I don't feel like it's necessarily fair to Dean (for presuming that he's 'done'), Sharpton and Kucinich.

My question for this thread is....in your opinion, how much impact on the nomination could a two person debate really have?

[Langis]

1. I think it will have a huge impact

[jean]

2. Buchanan suggested this on Tweeties show tonight

saying if he were advising Edwards he'd tell him to get Kerry on MtPress this Sunday for a two man debate with Russert moderating.

[Leilani]

3. Potentially it could be huge!

If there are only 2, it put's them on equal footing. Kerry is still the front runner, but Edwards is no longer just part of the crowd. In my opinion, it raises Edward's standing, by just being side by side.

And in a one on one debate, I think Edwards wins the likeability factor. He's a charming guy, & people will be impressed.

On the other hand, Kerry has much better command of the issues, based on his experience.

I think it depends on which Kerry shows up, because he's not consistent.

[DjTj]

10. Kerry kind of mailed it in...

...on Sunday night.

At the very least, Edwards lit a fire under John Kerry tonight.

A serious debate between these two would be very fun to watch.

[David Dunham]

4. Kerry's AFL-CIO endorsement will give him huge ground support

[auburnblu]

8. Kind of like the boost Gephardt got?

Please. Union endorsements have little traction until the general election. Unless Jimmy Hoffa and his "associates" are in the voting booth with you, the reality is most union employees could give a flip. If the unions with Jimmy Hoffa in Iowa and a very open caucus forum couldn't get Gephardt more than 11% in a state that he won in 1988 and that is next to his home state, why in the hell should anyone believe they have any influence at all during this primary season.

[auburnblu]

5. If I'm Kerry I do not want a two person debate with Edwards n/t

[David Dunham]

6. Kerry, MA's top debator, can out debate JE, but it won't be pretty

Kerry had some very bruising debates against William Weld in Massachusetts in 1996 and emerged the winner, but they were very contentious debates. Kerry can go toe to toe with Edwards and end up ahead in most Democratic voters' minds. But it could be a very tough and even nasty debate. Remember how Gore demolished Perot on NAFTA. Kerry could do the same to Edwards if necessary.

[David Dunham]

9. Kerry Is More Liberal than Edwards and Can use that to win votes if needed

Like most Democratic primary voters, Kerry is more liberal than Edwards. He can bring all that out and win more primary support that way if he needs to do it.

[auburnblu]

11. Are you kidding

JFK may impress a lot of Mass politicians, but he''l look like Nixon versus the original JFK to the "average guy/gal". Edwards positive and upbeat attitude will shine and JFK will seem like someone just like Gore did that is not in touch or connected.

[fujiyama]

7. It would definetely...

help Edwards. He has performed exceptionally well at the debates. I personally think there should be atleast one two or three way debate (between Kerry, Edwards, and Dean, depending on if he stays or drops out) excluding Kucinich and Sharpton, because it's obvious they aren't going to get the nod.

[David Dunham]

12. Debate is in CA, which likes free trade, and JK can clobber JE on that

JK, if necessary, can go after JE just as Gore demolished Perot on NAFTA. But it won't be pretty folks.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

13. A debate between Kerry and Edwards would be a snooze

Really.

[robsul82]

14. I think it'd be JFK-Nixon 2: Electric Boogaloo.

And we all know how that went.

Later.

RJS