Breaking: First debate may be cancelled!

[dennis4868]

I just heard on ABC's morning show in an interview with Goerge Stephanopolous that Bush is not signing their 32 page draft agreement with Kerry regarding the debate rules and that the first debate is in jeoprady at this point in time. The committee that set up the debates has a disagreement with the Bush people and Kerry is willing to play by any of the rules.

[robbedvoter]

1. Don't fret. It;s all rigged and spinned - just to get it more newsworthy

W will stand on the high chair with the hallo over his head, while Kerry will speak from a pit, right under the horns. It was already predicted in the "Simpsons"

[The Zanti Regent]

28. and the PRESSTITUTES praise Der Führer endlessly

Look at the latest hit piece in the Screw York Times by the tag team liars Wilgoren and Nagourney!

[Dogmudgeon]

2. That's not Bush's style

I would have thought he'd sign on for all the debates, then just not show up.

--bkl

[Flubadubya]

3. Pop goes the weasel...

I thought this had all been done and set in concrete. But then again, there is no honor among weasels!

[dennis4868]

5. "set in concrete"

no, ABC reported this morning that Kerry signed the agreement but that Bush has not and may never!

[Cocoa]

15. they both signed it

http://www.johnkerry.com/pdf/pr_2004_0920b.pdf

[dennis4868]

17. okay.....

but I think I heard ABC report that nothing was fully executed by the parties...whatever the case is, Bush is, as expected, acting like the chicken he really is....

[pinkpops]

34. W easel

[JI7]

4. it might be a strategic move to lower expectations for Bush

to get people to attack bush as being a wimp or coward or whatever else. this means he would get points just for showing up.

[PCIntern]

10. If that premise is true...

and that the Amurkin peeple would in fact give him points for showing up, then this country will get exactly what it deserves.

More and more I'm thinking that if for whatever reason, we don't make it, and believe me I'm working as hard as I can to see that that doesn't happen, then we richly merit whatever horrors a 2nd four years has to offer us.

[still_one]

16. I am an American, and I DON'T deserve bush for a second term

No matter what the media whores are saying, the undecideds will vote for Kerry

This is our year. The bush criminals will not go down easy, but they will go down

[trogdor]

51. Never said you did.

It is an unfortunate fact that people like us have to put up with the consequences of the stupid shit people like them do, like vote for complete dolts like Bush.

[qanda]

20. What do you mean we?

I've done a lot of wrong things in my life, but I most certainly have never done anything to deserve Bush*. (joking tone)

[JI7]

22. it worked in 2000

bush was considered a winner just because he got through the debate without any major fuckups even though most of what he said was lies.

[Cleopatra2a]

27. My SO feels the same way

He thinks terrible things are going to happen. He doesn't understand how people can like this guy. We went to Catholic Mass yesterday and the church bulletin had an article about voting. It never stated how they wanted you to vote (this is Oklahoma), but stated that not voting was a mortal sin! I thought this was a little extreme. I know some of you think this is weird, but I just prayed extra hard, lit a candle and prayed for a Kerry victory. Makes me feel better.

[blondeatlast]

39. I've done nothing to deserve this 2-faced, chickenhawk of a man.

And neither has anyone I know, not even the Republicans I know who had no idea that he would turn out so badly, and are voting Kerry this time.

[T Bone]

19. lowering expectations for bush might be the play

This could be it. Argue that the rules of the debate were unfair to Bush and flawed, therefore it only looks like Kerry won the debate since he took advantage of the flawed debate rules that hindered der shrubmeister. ?could be?

[0007]

6. Karl Rove is at his little game!

[stellanoir]

7. I heard it slightly differently.

I might be wrong but the way I heard the report was that both parties had signed the agreement but the organizers of the debates would not necessarily guarantee that they would adhere to all those ridiculously onerous conditions. Kerry's camp would go along with whatever the commission wanted to do. Predictably, the anal Bushies are having a canary.

on edit- They also mentioned one of the terms in the 32 page document was to not put either of the candidates facial responses to the other candidates statements on camera.

This is good news. . .Bush is a coward. surprise surprise

[robbedvoter]

23. facial expressions - expect spin: "Kerry is looking confused now"

Reminder: GORE NEVER DID SIGH!
The Daily Howler traced the meme as starting + spreading fast after 24h from debate. Watch for similar stories - now that you oficcialy cannot see.

[BootinUp]

8. If that happens, Kerry would hammer Bush over it.

The obnoxiousness of Bush never ceases to amaze.

[Drifter]

9. Just like the 2000 election ...

stall until it is too late.

I think they should have the debate. If bush doesn't show up, then Kerry can field questions for 90 minutes.

Cheers
Drifter

[PCIntern]

11. networks would never do that...

they would buy whatever the Bushies said was the reason, national security or whatever, then show reruns of Mork and Mindy.

[blondeatlast]

41. They would be in an uncomfortable position if Kerry showed and

Bunny didn't.

They'd have lots of 'splainin' to do!

[dennis4868]

14. THE MEDIA WOULD ATTACK....

kerry for showing up and being disrespectfull of the situation!

[blondeatlast]

40. Exactly; it would lack the (staged) drama, but would be very

effective for Kerry.

[Kierkegaard]

42. Very good idea.

If Scrub doesn't want to agree to terms, turn it into a huge Kerry press conference and make sure everyone is aware that someone decided not to show up.

[qanda]

12. What are the guidelines that Bush needs to be in place?

Has to sit on Dick Cheney's lap during entire debate.

All questions for Bush must be approved by Karen Hughes. All questions for Kerry must be written by Karen Hughes.

John Kerry must be wheeled in and never allowed to stand-- therefore cancelling any height advantage.

The camera must be on Bush at all times, even when Kerry is speaking.

No follow-up questions to Bush allowed by anyone.

Feel free to add your own....

[catmandu57]

24. He needs his earbug

it's his security blanket, Kerry should have him checked for it, if and when the debates start.

[TankLV]

46. Yes Yes Yes! I've stated this many times!

The Kerry camp had etter check the idiot and monitor any radio frequencies, to make sure he isn't being fed answers by his team of "experts" in some "war room"!

I do not doubt for a split second that the repukes will insist on this for "national security" bullshit.

[Sideways]

54. Kerry's October Surprise....Scramble Dope Heads Frequency

Of course the WH will insist that Bush needs the ear piece for national security blah blah blah....BUT get a crack scrambler on the Kerry team to fuck up the signal.

This will be the first time the Kerry people will be close enough to Bush and his camp to strike at the heart of their evil defense....THE FACT THAT BUSH IS ALWAYS BEING FED HIS RESPONSES.

I think we could be in for a very unusual evening. If Bush has no feed he has NOTHING to say and it will be very obvious that this guy is fucking clueless. :evilgrin:

[goclark]

58. That ear piece situation is the kicker

I hope that if they cancel the debates, Vernon Jordan will step up to the plate and say...

"John Kerry is ready to report for Duty on Thursday Evening.
Bush appears to be AWOL.
We stand ready willing and able to debate HIM.
Of course, when we say HIM we mean George W Bush without the assistance of an audio feed in his left ear."

Vernon Jordan.IMO, is the perfect person to say something in a Press Conference.

[natrat]

13. whatever

bush and rove are such fing pussies. Why cant they just stand up instead of making everything a drama. Once again-lame people.

[blondeatlast]

43. Drama queens! So right! nt

[bushwakker]

18. Kerry will be blamed for wanting to show how smart he is

3 debates - who needs 'em?

[wurzel]

21. Proves Kerry will do anything to get elected! Even show up at a debate!

Yup! I can see the headlines now!

[Aviation Pro]

25. One observation

The President is a scoundrel, but for just about every staged or planned event he is meticulously prepared by his staff. This may be a case where he has been so distracted - sounds to me like piss-poor time management - that he doesn't have time to prepare and rote memorize his standard answers. An unprepared Bush would, in the estimation of his handlers, be a Godsend to Senator Kerry.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

37. We've been seeing the "unprepared" version of GWB more than usual lately

His remark to Lauer about never winning the war on terror, his comment about the CIA guessing regarding the scenarios for Iraq, even his comment about the citizens' perceptions of the country's direction being better in Iraq than in the US. Each time, he is being called on those more and by the media (still not forcefully enough, IMO)

I think you're right that the distractions of campaigning along with trying to do POTUS stuff (UN speech,"head of state" visit from Chalabi)are going to keep him from that 2-3 week, day-in and day-out prep time he usually spends prior to any public appearance where he's fielding legitimate questions.

Good observation, sounds very valid. MKJ

[magnolia]

52. And who could forget the famous....

"...the terrorists will do anything to hurt the American people and so will we...."

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

60. I can't believe I wrote Chalabi instead of Allawi...

Yikes, must have been caffeine deprived. MKJ

[kentuck]

26. More bullshit ....

from the King of the Bullshitters.

[robbedvoter]

29. First debate is on Nat Security - "W's issue" - Kerry conceded it to be #1

because "the first debate is usually the most watched"

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=565764
The Kerry team, however, agreed to move up national security, Mr Bush's strongest issue, to the first debate, always the most watched and most influential.

So, hype it up!

[wackywill]

49. This is not a bad thing.

When JFK kicks the "Coward from Crawford's" ass more people will see it and maybe tune in to the second and third debates. I will be in Atlantic City playing poker. I will TIVO the event to watch, after I hear the media spin about how well the "Coward from Crawford" hung in there. And of course, how JFK just couldn't get it together and how similar there responses were.

[Onlooker]

30. Democratic 527s should raise questions about Bush's fitness

There have been rumors that Bush uses earpieces; some experts say that he may be in the early stages of Alzheimers; some people say that his bloated look may be a sign of drugs or alcoholism; some people say that his mangled English, which he did not always have, is a sign of mental deterioration. If he tries to get out the debates, he should be made to prove that he's mentally fit to be president.

[nodictators]

53. Bush IS unfit to be president

Just last week he said something was "common sensical." Then he said, prehaps aided by a voice in his earpiece, that means common sense. These continuing verbal blunders are signs of his mental problems.

Recently, he was taken to task in the media for grossly misquoting Kerry (re Saddam) in his stump speeches.

Obviously, Bush is disconnected from reality, moving and speaking as if he was in a foggy dream world.

Most likely, his problems are due to his long history of heavy substance abuse. He has said that he hasn't used cocaine or other illegal drugs since 1974. So, he switched to alcohol and had a DUI in 1985. And can anyone other than his TV media apologists believe that his "pretzel attack" was caused by a pretzel?

[no_hypocrisy]

31. * probably won't agree to debate without an earpiece with Karl Rove

telling him exactly how to answer.

[bluedonkey]

32. If they cancel

the first debate,that means George W is not ready.He can't keep Saddam/Osama straight and he gets Iraq confused with Iran.
Well,hell,them names are hard!

[AnnInLa]

33. Please read opinion on Daily Kos about the debate flap

The following is on today's Daily Kos website. Chris Bowers seems to be suggesting that the same tactic that rove used against CBS will be used for the debates: Instead of focusing on the SUBSTANCE of the CBS memos, the controversy was shifted to the authenticity of the memos and to Dan Rather. For the debates, the focus will be shifted FROM how badly bu$h will perform to the possiblility that the debate sponsor is unfair and prejudiced toward Kerry. rove is preparing, in advance for bush's poor performance.

for more reporting on the debates go to www.dailykos.com


Quoting Chris Bowers:

"However, what I really think is going on here is an attempt by the Bush campaign to shift the post-debate focus away from the content of debate itself and toward a "Biased Debate Commission" storyline. This would especially be the case if things do not go well in the debate for Bush..."

[robbedvoter]

35. Again , this is the one they wanted first, W's strength and all

The Kerry team, however, agreed to move up national security, Mr Bush's strongest issue, to the first debate, always the most watched and most influential.
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=565764

[54anickel]

44. Link not working. n/t

[blondeatlast]

47. Edit--responded to the wrong post. nt

[robbedvoter]

48. Fixed it

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=565764

[blondeatlast]

45. You should start a separate thread about this... Let's deal with

this early!

[Kierkegaard]

36. Would anyone expect anything less?

If they aren't heavily weighted in Bubble Boy's favor, he won't go. Why would he? This is his achilles heel. He's afraid of being exposed for what he is.

His whole campaign has been off the hook. Turns his back on reporter's questions, makes people sign loyalty oaths, gets canned comments at his appearances instead of questions, tells blatant lies with impunity.

He's just too goddam cocky, all the while running a campaign that would be a sure loser for anyone else in the free world. Is the fix in?

[gordianot]

50. He is using the same playbook as Nixon in 72!

Do not debate McGovern. There are many somethings to hide for * and his handler. The fix that is in both have set off the powers that be that own them and have become a liability. Halliburton and the NEO-Con Spy mess in the Pentagon is intolerable. That it got investigated and even briefly mentioned in the media is odd.

The current residents can be replaced without bothering with an election. Get rid of the election trappings and the threat Kerry will give any issues real press coverage in a debate

I also notice something that is very very curious. Why isn't Nader screaming how unfair it is he is not included in the debates?

[blondeatlast]

38. I heard a rumor to that effect yesterday, but could find no

solid references.

[Gin]

55. The PFD of the agreement shows both party heads signed off...the

moderators had not signed and the commission had not signed yet....you can find the PDF on www.pbs.org site at NOW.

It reads that no questions are known in advance..and no aids except pen and paper will be allowed...the pen and paper will be submitted to the moderators who then will give to candidates.

NOW indicates...it will be a love fest...no follow up questions...be nice..play nice...I was hoping Kerry would blow that shrub down the road like a tumble weed.

[leesa]

56. Isn't Bush's specialty breaking agreements and contracts??

Why should he worry? His presstitutes have already called it for the incoherent nincompoop.

[Bread and Circus]

57. I think they are both cowards - yes, both....

No matter what, we are not going to get real debates. All of the rules are to keep what we will see from being a real debate as much as possible. This is just a photo op for each campaign and the media to spin it however they wish.

Kerry should have never agreed to such rules.

He should have taken the case to the people that we deserve better.

What's wrong with this country?

[demokatgurrl]

59. No matter what, KERRY must be there. n/t