It was reported that the Bush team finally agreed to 3 debates if the Kerry team agreed to a protocol of not directly engaging their opponent. What does that tell you? How do all of you Republicans justify voting for someone who is blatanty realistic that he is inferior on addressing the issues?

It sounds like Kerry is going to need "A Few Good Men" type of moment to get Bush to address any direct questions???? But then, that is nothing different that what we've seen up to this point, the fewest press conferences in history......

Funny Read on it Jeff'ed. The commentary I read pointed to the fact that Kerry tends to wander off the issue. Bush knows that he can hammer Kerry if he can keep him from flipping and flopping.

The question is why can't the Bush team agree to engage their opponent on the issues? Wasn't it you that said the debates would be a non-factor since they are being toned down?

The debates are a beauty pagent. They have some 40 pages of negotiated rules. They both give and get in the negotiations so I would not get hung up on what each one means. The bigger picture is that Bush will try nothing new as his message has been real clear from day one. Kerry will have to come up with something to define his message clearly and consiely. Bush will try and and make Kerry look unclear. Bush has more charm and people like his style.

We'll see if Bush's charm outweighs the "Bushisms."

best to see what really happens and then put your liberal spin on how Bush blew the debates. I think it is safe to say that the outcome of the debates will be portrayed along party lines.

Does Kerry have to sign a pledge to get in the same room with GW at a pre-election function?

You got it right KK The reason that I made this post was not to prejudge the content of the "debates" or to put my Liberal spin on it, but to point out the we deserve better. We have heard Bush's 30 thousand foot level view of the world for 4 years and the predictable stump speach attacks. I believe I heard the point on how the format was negotiated on either Fox News or This week, not importantant. What is important is that this format is dumbed down and people should want a format that seeks the truth, not one that is better served for their candidate.

If the format rules were lifted and Kerry were to go down, then so be it. You wouldn't hear me whining.

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/9/28/115021.shtml

Dick Morris: Bush Set Debate Trap for Kerry

President Bush has set a debate trap for John Kerry that will force him to take positions opposed by a large percentage of his backers, former top Clinton strategist Dick Morris said Monday.

"What's happened is that Bush has set up a trap for Kerry," Morris told Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes."

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"He has so emphasized Kerry's flip-flopping, so-called weakness, vacillation, all that stuff, that Kerry has to take strong positions in the debate."

That will force Kerry to make his position clear once and for all on Iraq, the top strategist said - which will inevitably cost him votes.

Morris explained:

"A third of his voters are certified hawks, who say that we're winning the war on terror. . . . [But] half of his voters are doves. When he starts adopting an anti-Iraq line, anti-war line, he's going to alienate a third of his own voters."

If Kerry comes out strong for the war, however, he can say goodbye to the anti-war types who think he'll cut and run.

"Kerry has a strategic problem," said Morris. "And it doesn't matter how good a debater you are and how attractive you are. Every time he opens his mouth on a foreign policy debate, he's got to take a position that alienates a portion of his voters."

Dick Morris and John Kerry seem to have some kind of rift that goes back aways.

Imagine that someone else not liking Kerry. I bet that pitbull of a wife of his even dumps him after he loses ans turns republican again. She never stops talking about her dead husband.

How to get the most out of the debates:

Focus your attention on a few key points. Know what it is you want in an office holder, then watch and listen to see which candidate best fits your ideal. The following suggestions will help you focus:

Set aside your partisan views. Use the debates to learn as much as possible about all candidates and their positions.

Pay close attention to the candidates when they talk about how to solve problems. Listen carefully for comparisons candidates make between or among their programs and their opponents'.

Identify the candidate's debate strategy. Does the candidate speak directly to the issues, provide specifics, and present new policies or information? Or does the candidate evasively interpret questions to suit his/her agenda?

Identify the images which candidates try to create for themselves. Most candidates try to portray themselves as leaders and identify themselves with cherished American values while suggesting that their opponents lack these qualities. What in the responses supports their claims?

Be aware of the technical limitations of televised debates. Television works by showing action. To create action and minimize monotony, directors sometimes include "reaction shots" to show one candidate's response to an opponent's statement. This can distract your attention from what is being said. It is wise to remember the role of action shots when watching the debates.

Consider the questions asked by the panelists. The essence of debate is comparison and contrast. Did the panelist's or moderator's questions encourage alternative viewpoints? Observe and evaluate the questions asked and determine if you are genuinely adding to the content of the debates.

Don't watch a debate to determine a winner or loser. All candidates have goals for a debate; as a result, all could claim victory if winning is defined as achieving goals set by campaigns or the media. Focus on the question, "Who would make a better president, senator, governor, legislator, county clerk?"

Watch the debates on C-SPAN

Don't watch or listen to the spin doctors afterwords

Meditate and pray for wisdom and discernment...

*Then come to the logical conclusion to vote for Bush on November 2nd! (*optional)

Why even watch at all? Its just going to be a dog and pony show. If I want to watch one of those, I'll wait until the miss american pagent comes on.