Get Senator Kerry out of there in the debate practice.
I like John Kerry.
Some talk of the existence of a Senatorial Debate style from the U.S. Senate. I tend to believe it can be seen. Gore versus Quayle is an example, two Senators. Gore's staff decided he was a great debater. Gore's mother said she was proud of Son for minding his manners. Oh, wow.
Then we got Gore versus Bush. I, and my immediate friends, thought Bush won all three. We were not for Bush, and so far as I know none voted for him. Bush just won, that's all, little Lehrer help, which Gore, candidate for U.S. President seemed powerless to counter. Too polite, or unpracticed, my guess.
We are trial lawyers, scorned, except by people who need us. We discussed among ourselves for days off and on, explanations of who won. That's what we do. Our opinions were not based on the pundits, who we knew were ridiculous, nor the reporters, who were amazingly lightweight, nor on polls, nor spin. We looked for, and in our opinion we found, what would be the opinion of the man and woman in front of the TV jury box back home.
One example. Bush, "I've been known to mess up spelling some words myself." That was great and as good as Andrew Jackson's "I've got no use for a man who can't spell a word more than one way." They both won, you recall.
Then we got Kerry versus Bush. U.S. Senator John Kerry, that is, and not the ordinary soldier. I thought Kerry did right fair against the Governor and President. But, little did it matter what I thought, I am not the American public. Time to think again, about what the jury box in front of the TV thought back home. They were, I thought, astounded. They were not about to admit even to themselves that they could not follow much of what was said. They were wary of Bush, but who is this guy? Senator Kerry paid them a great compliment but they did not get it. And the election played out just like that. They never knew.
So you anticipate my concluding opinion. Senator John Kerry, bless his heart, get him out of the debate preparation. Senator Kerry's confounding with Senator Obama's style, bad. We say, Obama did great with McCain. Yes, Senator versus Senator.
So, who to get? I don't know who's available. I would say, try a rookie life insurance salesman selling whole life. Facts will be very loose and circular anyway. Then I would also consult Woody Allen, experienced in dealing with such. Seriously.
But not good ole Senator Kerry, who could himself say, "I'll bet you ten thousand dollars." but won't.
Or there's another possibility, hard one at this stage. Carefully, firmly, decisively keep in mind that Kerry is a mere, yes, mere, sorry John, toter of facts, that's all, only that, and the debate to the folks back home is elsewhere, more subtle, and that President Obama is up to that debate back home. He can do it.