Kerry Seeks Debate Series With Bush

[DrFunkenstein]

QUINCY, Ill. - Heading to the site of a historic 19th century debate, John Kerry called for monthly debates with President Bush to elevate the tenor of a campaign that's opened with a relentlessly negative tone.

In making his call, Kerry headed to Quincy, which was the largest city to host the 1858 series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas during a Senate campaign eventually won by Douglas. On Oct. 13 of that year, 20,000 people gathered at Quincy to hear the sixth of what would be seven debates between the two men.

"Both candidates laid out their positions plainly and honestly," said Kerry. "They clashed but over differences in policy, not personal attacks."

Kerry argued the Lincoln-Douglas debates included "sharp exchanges, but they were a serious, honest discussion of important questions of the day, sparking enormous public interest." Kerry argued that voters of that earlier era were energized by the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

"Today campaigns too often generate more heat than light, firing up partisans while leaving increasing numbers out in the cold," said Kerry. "Everyone in politics shares the blame, but I have come here today because I believe this campaign should be different."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&e=10&u=/ap/kerry_debates

[NNadir]

1. Excellent. Kerry's playing the patriotism angle perfectly. N/T

[bushwakker]

2. Fat chance

I doubt AWOL will even do the 3 fall debates that have become customary in recent elections.

[DrFunkenstein]

3. Will He Get The Questions In Advance Like The Governator?

Bush is so screwed. Seriously, what issue will he have the advantage with since Kerry can - and will - immediately refute any BS he can possibly come up with?

[rucky]

4. Kerry would shine some light if Bush insists on that kind of format.

any opportunity to show this chickenhawk's cowardace is welcome.