Tomorrow's Debate Rules - Brokaw selects questions to ask from written queries.

[jefferson_dem]

McCain, Obama deal puts limits on "town hall" debate
By Lynn Sweet on October 6, 2008 7:54 AM

...

Tuesday's match-up at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., will be moderated by NBC's Tom Brokaw, with the questions to be culled from a group of 100 to 150 uncommitted likely voters in the audience and another one-third to come via the Internet. The Gallup Organization -- as in past debates like this -- has the job of making sure the questioners reflect the demographic makeup of the nation.

Brokaw selects the questions to ask from written queries submitted prior to the debate, according to the "contract."

An audience member will not be allowed to switch questions. Under the deal, the moderator may not ask followups or make comments. The person who asks the question will not be allowed a follow-up either, and his or her microphone will be turned off after the question is read. A camera shot will only be shown of the person asking -- not reacting.

While there will be director's chairs (with backs and foot rests), McCain and Obama will be allowed to stand -- but they can't roam past their "designated area" to be marked on the stage. McCain and Obama are not supposed to ask each other direct questions.

As in all the debates, the contenders cannot bring in notes, though they can take them once at the lectern.

Sarah Palin seemed to be looking at notes several times during her debate with Joe Biden. Each candidate is allowed to "take notes during the debate on the size, color and type of blank paper that each prefers."

And I'll dub this the "Lazio" rule.

A reason Rep. Rick Lazio (R-N.Y.) lost his Senate bid against Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2000 was when he walked from his lectern to Clinton and demanded that she sign a pledge not to take soft money, he looked like a bully. Anyway, in 2008, the candidates are banned during the debates from moving to the other side -- and from wielding proposed pledges.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/10/mccain_obama_deal_puts_limits.html

[Bobbieo]

1. Is Brokaw to be trusted? Is he an honorable man?

[AlCzervik]

2. no he is not to be trusted at all unless he proves himself different tomorrow night and

even then he should not be trusted.

[Window]

8. Amen.

[Arrowhead2k1]

3. Brokaw is in the tank for McCain. Obama needs to be aware of this and prepared for his bullshit.

[regnaD kciN]

4. Oh, great...

90 minutes of "Senator Obama, why do you keep associating with terrorists?" and "Senator McCain, tell us more about how your experiences as a P.O.W. and war hero cause you to put 'country first'."

:eyes:

[Schulzz]

McCain can not win on issues, as the first debate proved.

I expect some bullshit questions. But I also think Obama is prepared. He already had to go through one bullshit debate in PA, the McCain camp announced their upcoming smears, so I think he would handle those questions much better now.

[BlueIdaho]

5. Where the hell is that great "Chill Out" graphic... nm.

[Frisbee]

6. Based on those rules...

I expect another 1-1/2 hours of McPOW bullshit with no on to call him on it. I was looking forward to this debate with Obama's position in the polls and with everything going on right now. But with the rules they've agreed to, it sounds like it may well be a sleeper unless Obama pushes McPOW to his breaking point, which seems to be getting closer lately.

[LatteLibertine]

7. Brokaw is down with McCain?

I didn't know that. In any case, I think Senator Obama will do fine. McCain has pwned himself with the bailout. He's lost a lot of Conservative Republicans he had brought on board with Palin.