Question about debate format - please tell me I'm wrong.

[WilliamPitt]

One of our editors thinks the Kerry guys agreed to a debate format for all three debates (all! three! debates!) that does not allow the candidates to speak to each other. They can't ask each other questions, the can't answer each other's questions.

On the one hand, I can see why they would agree to this, if agreeing to it meant getting three debates. Kerry needs the debates way more than George does, and having three of them happen in any format helps.

On the other hand, this is a pitch right into what passes for George's wheelhouse. He doesn't have to speak extemporaneously, but can respond with any number of memorized, pre-prepared responses. George is a crackerjack memorizer; seriously, it is one of his actual strengths.

Kerry was actually dealing from strength on the debate issue. The Bush clan has a history of punking out when the debates come along. George W. hesitated on debates in 2000, and got whomped for it. George H.W. did the same in 1992, and the Clinton guys had a man in a chicken suit show up at every Bush event.

Don't like it. Is this the deal?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Yeah, that's the deal, however...

The second one is still going to be questions from undecideds and "soft" supporters, meaning god only knows what kind of questions they'll get.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

7. All townhall questions have to be submitted to the moderators

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002041535_debates21.html

snip

The final agreement on the town-hall session calls for a live audience of between 100 and 150 people who describe themselves as likely voters who are either "soft" Bush supporters or "soft" Kerry supporters — with an equal number from each group. Audience members will be selected by the Gallup Organization. Members of the audience who want to ask questions must submit them in advance to the moderator for screening.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. What stops people from asking whatever the hell they want later?

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

12. Who the hell knows?

Maybe these guys?

[JI7]

2. i think so, but

i'm not sure if it means they can't just interrupt anytime they like to ask but will be given certain chances by the moderator to ask each other or if it means they will never get to ask each other questions.

[Flailey]

he can't ask questions but

He can ask them anyways. All he has to say is "here's my idea, blah blah... Mister Bush, I'd like to hear how you would deal with this..." and then shut up.

It works, he looks like a pussy if he says "hey that's not in the rules"

[bif]

3. How can they call it a debate then?

If they can't ask each other questions?

[johnnie]

4. Wasn't that the format...

...in 2000?

[HFishbine]

An Easy Rule to Get Around

We saw it plenty of times in the dem primary debates, where a candidate would answer a question and then say something like, "But I think the important question is why did Mr. X ....?"

Kerry can still throw out questions if he wants.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

5. Afraid so

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040920-070504-5046r.htm

Dreadful source, but only one I could find offering this detail.

[dolo amber]

6. I'm not sure about that

I have a concern, though with the arrangement of "no pens or paper are to be brought directly to the poduim, instead they are to be submitted to debate officials and taken to the podium by staff" (quotes mine)or some such. I hate to be all :tinfoilhat: but at this point I put NOTHING past these people...:(

It just rubs me wrong. Sticks in my craw, as my gran would say...

[Gman]

8. I'm shocked Bush agreed to a debate with questions

he'll just kinda babble some and hope the clock is set ahead a half hour or so.

[Bandit]

10. How can they be called Debates if they don't debate?

Do Americans even know the meaning of the word Debate? :shrug:

[HFishbine]

11. Same Rule in Gore/Bush Debates and Gore Ignored It

I thought I remembered this happening:

That was not the only time that Gore violated his own rules. He frequently pushed over the three and one-half minute limit for any subject (out-talking Bush by some eight minutes), interrupted frequently, and even asked Bush a question (after saying that the rules prohibited it).

Yes, it's Novak, but I think it's accurate: http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn2000105.shtml

[hlthe2b]

13. The truth of how rigged the debate process is has been the focus of

Open Debates. I heard an interview with one of their directors, which was very revealing. I don't think most Americans realize how corrupted the system has become. Take a look.

Open Debates is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to reforming the presidential debate process. Currently, the presidential debates are secretly controlled by the major parties, through the private bipartisan corporation called the Commission on Presidential Debates, resulting in the stultification of format, the exclusion of popular candidates, and the avoidance of pressing national issues.

http://www.opendebates.org/

[xray s]

14. What a shame

Kerry should have stuck in there and insisted on a real debate between the candidates, and not a joint press conference.

I guess we still haven't learned how to play the game.