Idea for "town-hall" debate

One thing I've seen mentioned here is that one of the many rules added to the the so-called town-hall debate (SCTHD) is that all of the questions have to be submitted in advance, and that the moderator is supposed to cut off the person if they deviate at all from their pre-written question.  What a joke!

How about this idea: Kerry's first response should work in a mention of this, and a request that he will accept any and all questions those attending would like to ask him, regardless of whether it was submitted beforehand.  He can then express his hope that the President will do the same, because the issues facing this country are too important to be constrained in any manner.

This will work because: 1) Kerry is smart enough to think on his feet in case a few zingers DO come his way; 2) Bush will be forced to respond!  What would he say?  If he grudgingly agreed, score 1 for Kerry for backing him into a corner and -10 for Bush when someone asks a real zinger.  If he refused, score -20 for Bush for again appearing petulant and whiny.  If he only scowled and stared and refused to respond, score 370+ electoral votes on November 2 for Kerry.

•  Not bad

  Not a bad idea at all

  by emptywheel on Sun Oct 03, 2004 at 11:31:28 AM PDT

  •  Good idea, but...

    Because of the corporate run American press...CRAP, Kerry has to be on his best behaviour, just like he was in the first debate. There was NOTHING personal to get him on, no tan, no sweating, no sighs, no rule breaking.....

    His content will be unimpeachable, so if there are no personal issues, CRAP can't hurt him.

    by karenc13 on Sun Oct 03, 2004 at 11:34:46 AM PDT

    •  Yeah

      What did they do so Kerry and Bush wouldn't sweat?  I heard the Bush team specified the temperature to be 75.  I would probably be sweating at that temp.

      by Unstable Isotope on Sun Oct 03, 2004 at 12:27:00 PM PDT

•  Yep.

  Great idea.  Bush can't agree to it, so it makes him look like a wimp.

  by wisdude on Sun Oct 03, 2004 at 11:34:26 AM PDT

•  Great idea

  Reguardless of what would happen, it would make Kerry look much stronger, and probably make Bush defensive if not give him a permanent outright stutter. :)

  by Microangelo on Sun Oct 03, 2004 at 11:38:50 AM PDT

•  And in addition to that,

  Kerry could end each response by gesturing to Chimpy and saying 'and now I'm sure Mr. Bush would like an opportunity to answer one of HIS questions.' This would reinforce, after each response, Chimpy's cowardice. Great idea, hope they pick it up.
  

  by skrymir on Sun Oct 03, 2004 at 11:48:35 AM PDT

•  BAD IDEA

  There is no need for Kerry to open himself up to this.  The facts are Kerry has everything going for him.  If he opens it up the focus of the debte is not on the fact that Kerry won or the content/substance of the debate.  The focus will shift to his act of opening up the debate.  John Kerry can win the debate as the rules are.  Further, he needs to keep the attention on Bush's failures and on Bush in general.  

  And make no mistake that Repubs will not have the third debate.  This also will be a glaring example of him saying one thing and doing another. Also, Kerry has signed on to the rules.  You cannot sign a contract and then go back from it.  

  There is almost nothing to gain by doing this other than providing his base with the 'red meat' that he is fearless.  

  by mihirbhatia on Sun Oct 03, 2004 at 11:58:41 AM PDT