Courtesy of Bob Harris:
The candidates are forbidden from asking each other any direct questions of any kind, nor can they challenge each other with proposed pledges. Thus, much of the skill used in actual debating is explicitly forbidden. Point for Monkey.
No pre-written notes of any kind will be allowed, nor can candidates use any props or have anyone in the audience to point to (like, say, Allawi) to examplify their rhetoric. Point for Kerry. In the “Town Hall” debate, audience members will ask their moderator-screened questions, but they won’t be allowed any follow-up, and if they deviate from approved levels of free speech, they will be silenced. Candidates will therefore be able to a) change the subject entirely, b) misleadingly paraphrase the question (one of Monkey’s best tactics), or c) stall by following-up an earlier point, especially since their opponent is forbidden from asking any direct questions in response. Huge point for Monkey. Remaining-time lights will be mounted directly onto the cameras, so the candidates don’t have to break fake eye contact with TV viewers. In the “Town Hall” debate, the candidates will have small, predesignated areas in which they can “move about” in their attempts to simulate the body language of actual human connection. The candidates’ “move about” areas will not overlap in any way. The shaking of hands is contractually mandatory.
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p>Not far removed from a total farce, unfortunately — still, I’d like to be able to see them. Unfortunately, as I don’t bother with television, I’m not sure what options I have. Does anyone happen to know if there are any plans to webcast any or all of the debates? Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
CJ
Brandon
Tim Who?
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no cross examination?? and no follow up questions for the audience? what kind of debate is that?
i can see not being able to read directly from notecards or refer to others in the room, that’s perfectly normal.
otherwise, this is a really sad debate format. >:P
i’ll still watch it anyway, just in the hopes that chimpy will make a total fool of himself.
MSNBC.com is Webcasting the debate from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ET.
Anytime Bush talks extemporaneously he looks and sounds stupid. Why would the Bush camp allow him to look like an idiot? This is not a debate. It is a series of 2-minute sound bites. Each candidate will have the chance not to answer the question of his choice.
I decided that I’d rather go go-karting with the guys here at Western. I can watch the “debates” later, as I am sure every news channel on Earth, except Al-Jazeera, will be re-broadcasting them. Meh. It’s a joint press conference, like someone else said. I don’t know that I will watch it if it turns out to be like that.
What happened to George Bush? Something wrong with his mouth? That’s one of the worst debates he’s ever done—stammering, stuttering, defensive… What a comparison—steady, calm, confident Kerry vs. little stooping, stammering George.