http://www.moveleft.com/moveleft_essay_2004_09_27_tell_the_media__judge_the_debates_on_substance_not
_style.asp
The first debate between John Kerry and George W. Bush is Thursday.
Please ask the people in the media who will be commenting on the debates to focus on substance, not style.
People you can write include:
Associated Press, Nedra Pickler, npickler@ap.org
Associated Press, Ron Fournier, rfournier@ap.org
ABC News, Ted Koppel, nightline@abc.com
USA Today, Jill Lawrence -- Political Reporter, jlawrence@usatoday.com
Talk Radio News Service, Adam Sharon, letters@talkradionews.com
Scripps-Howard News Service, Bill Straub (Washington Correspondent), straubb@shns.com
Philadelphia Inquirer, Carrie Budoff (Politics), cbudoff@phillynews.com
Orlando Sentinel, John C. Bersia, jbersia@orlandosentinel.com
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Barbara Dembski (Crossroads Editor), bdembski@journalsentinel.com
CNN, Jeff Greenfield, jeff.greenfield@cnn.com
Below is a sample letter I wrote which you can put into your own words.
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Please judge the Presidential debates based on the honesty of the candidates' answers.
Don't say Bush zinged an insult, so Bush won.
Don't say Bush seemed folksy, so Bush won.
Judge the debates by who tells the truth.
Judge based on who has a better, more realistic plan for addressing issues.
If some of the viewers are manipulated by a candidate's style, that is their loss, NOT something you should speculate-about-or-reinforce by talking about style.
Use your knowledge of the issues-Iraq, Afghanistan, the economy, the budget deficit, the trade deficit-to tell us how well each candidate addressed the issues.
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Meanwhile, Monica P., a cable new viewer, made the following prediction about what the pundits will say (You can email this to the pundits instead):
Kerry:
If he's serious, they'll say he's glum, gloomy, pessimistic, and uninspiring.
If he's jovial, they'll say he's phony and trying too hard.
Bush:
If he's serious, he's presidential, the wartime commander-in-chief.
If he's jovial, everybody wants to have a beer with him.
Kerry:
If he's forceful, they'll say he's too aggressive, mean, negative, desperate.
If he's calm, they'll say he's weak, unsteady, dull, lacks energy.
Bush:
If he's forceful, he's strong, resolute, unwavering.
If he's calm, he's prepared, on-message, disciplined, reserved.
Kerry:
If he's specific, they'll say he's wonkish, presenting "laundry lists," being overly-intellectual, show-offy, and nobody likes the smart kid.
If he's not specific, they'll say he's vague, criticizing but not offering solutions, not addressing the issues, and nobody knows who he is.
Bush:
If he's specific, he "lays out his plan" and "makes his case."
If he's not specific, he's spanning the issues, giving a global presentation, painting a broad outline of his plans.
Kerry:
If he jokes, they'll say he lacks gravitas, trivializes important issues, doesn't understand troops are in harm's way, nation is at war, disrespects the president, etc.
If he doesn't joke, they'll say he's wooden and needs to lighten up, .
Bush:
If he jokes, he's a man of the people, a regular guy, people relate to him.
If he doesn't joke, he truly cares about the American people and his sincerity resonates with voters in this difficult time.
(Quote above edited.)
I wrote one to add to Monica P.'s list:
Kerry:
If he repeats himself, the media will feign dismay, asking why Kerry kept repeating himself. :
If he doesn't repeat himself, the media will say Kerry failed to stay "on-message."
Bush:
If he repeats himself, the media will praise Bush for staying "on-message." :
If he doesn't repeat himself, the media will praise Bush for showing he can be spontaneous.
Anyway,
please email reporters and other commentators Monica P.'s predictions.
Or email them my sample letter in your own words.
Email addresses are at the top of this page.