How to Debate Bush---- By Al Gore

[Dob Bole]

From today's New York Times:

This year, as usual, the dominance of attack advertisements on television has made it hard to get a clear picture of where the candidates stand. But the same media revolution that brought us the 30-second commercial also brought us televised presidential debates - and ever since the first of them 44 years ago, they have played a crucial role in shaping voters' opinions of the candidates.

America has long been devoted to the clash between opposing advocates as the best way to evaluate information. In this era of media clutter, it is all the more important for voters to have this moment of simple clarity when the candidates appear before them stripped of advisers, sound bites and media spin.

My advice to John Kerry is simple: be prepared for the toughest debates of your career. While George Bush's campaign has made "lowering expectations" into a high art form, the record is clear - he's a skilled debater who uses the format to his advantage. There is no reason to expect any less this time around. And if anyone truly has "low expectations" for an incumbent president, that in itself is an issue.

But more important than his record as a debater is Mr. Bush's record as a president. And therein lies the true opportunity for John Kerry - because notwithstanding the president's political skills, his performance in office amounts to a catastrophic failure. And the debates represent a time to hold him to account. For the voters, these debates represent an opportunity to explore four relevant questions: Is America on the right course today, or are we off track? If we are headed in the wrong direction, what happened and who is responsible? How do we get back on the right path to a safer, more secure, more prosperous America? And, finally, who is best able to lead us to that path?

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[demnan]

1. Well, Al,

Kerry probably wants to "be his own man".

[LuminousX]

2. Brilliant advice from a brilliant man

[Cha]

3. I like the way Al says

"performance in office amounts to a catastrophic failure"..

Is there a link? Thanks for this!

[Dob Bole]

4. Link...

(But you may need a New York Times account)

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/29/opinion/29gore.html?hp

[Moderator]

5. Hi Dob Bole

per DU policy
please post no more than 4 paragraphs of copyrighted material.
And thanks for fetching the link.

[Dob Bole]

7. oops

Sorry...tried to edit the message but I can't anymore. Thanks, though.

[Bandit]

6. How did this man ever let the Bush* Cabal steal their way into

the Presidnecy? Talk about extreme differences. Al Gore is a true statesman and Bush* is just a simple Bully. If Kerry does not bring up Bush*'s promises and compare them with what has been done then he probably doesn't deserve the job.

[Fuzzy LaRue]

8. Gore's Downfall Started in the Debates.

The heavy sighing, eye rolling and getting in Bush's face amounted to jumping into his own grave with both feet.

The Bushies stole Florida. I have no doubt about this. But it was a chain of mistakes and missteps on Gore's part that allowed the election to be close enough that losing Florida mattered. He let states slip away that should have been firmly in his grasp. His behavior during the debates was a big one. A lot of people saw his mannerisms as his buttons being pushed by Bush.

Bush does not have a sparkling command of the English language. Bush does not put articulate arguments together. He knows this so he comes at his opponents from unexpected directions to make up for it.

A boxing match would be a good metaphor for what what Kerry needs to do. He needs to stay in the middle of the ring and score from long range. He cannot allow Bush to trap him on the ropes or in a corner where his better skills are nullified.

[mconvente]

9. spectacular essay by Al Gore

He hit it on the nail. It's time for Kerry to deliver the goods tomorrow night.

[Cha]

13. Whenever I see a post on Gore's "heavy sighing

and "rolling of eyes"..I have to insert what I read about that.

The article said that paul begala who was brought in to help Gore with the debates after Tom Downey had to drop out due to his opening the bush debate practice tapes that were sent to him in the mail.. rove tricks, anyone?

Like you said ..it was a "chain of mistakes" but also there seems to some nasty tricks involved, too.

Gore has since really become his own man but back then he listened to his so called advisers too much.

Course, this story may be false ..Gore would be the one to ask that question to.

[oldsneakers]

11. Gore should be running for re-election now

He would be unbeatable-I wish every Democrat had his fiery personality.

[WI_DEM]

10. The president is right again

Al Gore is rightly elected (by the people) president of the United States.

[kaitykaity]

12. And he made me laugh at the end.

What a different place the country would be with this man
in the Oval Office.

God damn it all to hell anyway.