The
Commission for Presidential Debates proposes Debate #2 (Oct. 8) as a "town hall" format with candidates fielding questions from pre-selected independent voters. The buzz is that Bush's negotiating team will resist booking this one, objecting to the subject matter as ill-defined (and "independent" questioners likewise).
Use this to advantage. Propose a debate -- same time, same place -- in an alternate format that overcomes both objections. One hour, minimal moderation, on a single crisply-defined topic: The infamous $87 billion Iraq War supplemental.
Rove promoted a false impression into a near-universal emblem of Kerry's alleged inconstancy, weakness on security, and disregard for Our Troops.
We win on the facts -- decisively -- IF we can grab voters' attention for more than a sound bite. Bush put one over on 'em, and that can make 'em surly.
Leverage the debate over the debate to sap their leading line of attack, while sowing suspicion re other attacks. Bush looks bad ducking, and he looks bad losing on the merits.
This reverses the "stature gradient" and lets Kerry make headway on the "issue" issues -- putting Bush on the defensive on both counts.
It's their cornerstone. Get a chain around it and yank it out.
[See It's TOTALLY the Dishonesty, Stupid for underlying strategy.]