What should Kerry say tonight in the second presidential debate?

[StlMo]

What should Kerry say tonight in the second presidential debate?

The debate format is as follows:

Commission Statement on October 8, 2004 Town Hall Style Debate

...

The debate will be moderated by Charlie Gibson of ABC News. The questions will be formulated by the town hall participants and neither the Commission nor the campaigns will review the questions. Mr. Gibson, as moderator, will be solely responsible for selecting the questions that will be asked during the debate, keeping in mind the goals of addressing a wide range of topics during the debate and attempting to spend approximately equal amounts of time on foreign and domestic issues.

The town hall participants will be comprised of uncommitted voters, including uncommitted voters not described as "soft Bush" or "soft Kerry." The details of the participant selection process were worked out at the Commission's request in discussions between Dr. Frank Newport, Editor-in Chief of the Gallup Poll, and representatives of the Bush and Kerry campaigns. Dr. Newport has described the format as follows in an article posted today at Gallup's website (www.gallup.com):

Friday night's debate will be in a town hall format. Although ABC News' Charles Gibson will be moderating the debate, the questions will be asked by a random sample of uncommitted voters from the St. Louis Metropolitan area, selected by The Gallup Organization.

...

Although over 100 participants will be on stage behind Bush and Kerry, the 90-minute format means that only about 20 people will actually end up asking questions. Under the terms of the debate agreement hammered out by the two campaigns, moderator Gibson will select the questioners and will attempt to keep the questions roughly balanced between foreign and domestic issues.

...

http://www.debates.org/pages/news_041007a.html

What issues do you think Kerry should focus on?

Which parts of Bush's miserable failure should Kerry draw the most attention to?

What is the best verbal jab you can think of?

What rhetorical questions should Kerry ask Bush?

What do you think should be in Kerry's closing statement?

[CityHall]

1. Deleted

[FreakinDJ]

2. Stand out of the way as Bush self destructs on national TV

I really think there is a very good chance of Bush loosing his cool and spewing obscenities at Kerry.

We could all see the contempt he holds for Kerry by his facial expressions last debate. This time he knows he has more at stake and his handlers have prepped him instructing him to fight back more vigorously.

I would love to see Chimpy go down in history as the Bone head that lost the election because he lost his cool on a nationally televised debate

[StlMo]

5. I hope the big networks show Bush a lot while Kerry is talking.

It will not look good for Chimpy McCokeSpoon.

[molly]

6. Tune in to C-Span

they split the screen in the last debate so both candidates were always visible.

[StlMo]

8. I know. (I plan to watch C-Span or C-Span 2.) I want the viewers of

Edited for punctuation

... the major networks to see Bush's reactions too.

[Mr E McSquare]

3. Mr President.......

was it wrong to give saddam weapons of mass destruction in the first place?
If so who is responsible and should they be punished?
If elected, do you plan on selling weapons of mass destruction to other countries?
If so, why? or why not? It was ok once, why is it not, ok now?? etc.
Seeing as how Saddam used weapons of mass destruction to kill thousands of Iranians during the war between Iraq and Iran, Can you understand why Iran might be upset with us? Etc.

And finally......Are you using an ear peice? and if so, who's feeding the answers to you??

[StlMo]

16. The Rummy Question!

Good idea.

Who armed Saddam?
Rummy, Bush I and other Bushites.
Not enough Americans know that.

[goodhue]

4. trade policy

http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion//index.php?ntid=11043&ntpid=3

During the February primary campaign, and repeatedly since then, Wisconsinites have urged presidential candidates to focus in on trade issues. The damage done by so-called "free trade" agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement and Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China, have been felt across this state. Those trade deals, which are written to favor multinational corporations at the expense of workers and farmers in the United States and abroad, have wreaked havoc with Wisconsin's economy.

Tens of thousands of jobs have been lost in the manufacturing sector - especially in eastern Wisconsin, where the cookware industry has been devastated - and working farmers have come to recognize that the promise of "new markets" is not translating into the reality of fair prices for what they produce.

[StlMo]

19. Two Words For Bush: "Fair Trade" (Instead of corrupt 'free' trade)

Two Words For Bush: "Fair Trade" (Instead of corrupt 'free' trade agreements)

[henslee]

7. right after *'s first whopper -- "What the heck won't you lie about, Mr.

President (asked with astonished and appalling tone)

[StlMo]

11. I like that idea.

:dem:

[henslee]

15. Good! HECK is the key word here. Must be regular-guy about it.

[jerryster]

34. Bad Idea

Kerry knows better than to EVER use the "lie" word. Any candidate who has ever actually thrown out the word loses. If you recall during the last debate Lehrer posed a question to Kerry using the word, lie. Kerry was on it. He said he had never used the harsher word that Lehrer just used. Kerry knew better than TO EVEN REPEAT IT even though Lehrer had said it. So don't wait for Kerry to use the "L" word. Never going to happen.

[alteredstate]

9. I wish Kerry would bring the whole PNAC thing up

Lots of Americans don't know how we got into the mess that is the Iraq war.

[StlMo]

13. It would definitely be good to expose PNAC to a wider audience.

:kick:

[Oak2004]

52. I'd love to take it one step further

and expose the political philosophy behind the neocons -- the philosophy of Leo Strauss. We've got bona fide fascists here, and I'm not using that word lightly (oh, if only I had known we'd really be dealing with fascists someday, I'd have jumped down the throats of every leftist who misused and overused that word way back when).

But we do have to educate in stages, I realize, and people may need to first be shocked by the brazen war plotting of the PNAC before they're prepared to see that these guys hate everything America stands for.

[AntiFascist]

50. No one ever seems to want to go into the details of PNAC.....

even in the media. Kerry could stress that his goal is to secure Iraq, then pull ALL the troops out, and focus on homeland defense, defense of Israel and other allies, and working toward settling Arab disputes which are at the root of the terrorist threats. The U.S. military should be defensive, not offensive. An offensive strategy WILL require reinstituting the draft, there is no other way. We will not get the cooperation of our allies through an offensive strategy. An offensive strategy will inflame terrorists for decades to come.

[KharmaTrain]

10. The Morning Line: Let Bunnypants Take The First Shot

Give the boy his two minutes to lie and distort. Let him pile it on high. Iraq is going well, economy is stronger and so on. Let the boy show his cards early (as he will) on which spin points have been drilled in his head by Frau Hughes. There only so much that can fit in that pimple between his shoulders. It won't take long to see which panic button he'll hit.

Then Kerry can ponce early, often and without hesitation. I'd even sit back for two questions. Let those lies sink in. Let the boy figit and fumble as he is forced to speak one-on-one without any filter or even having Kerry attack. I assure you, if unchecked at first, this boy will sing like a canary and when he tries to counter, all you'll hear is a regergitation of the same lines (hard work...global test) that will make the boy look weaker and weaker.

Eventually I'm hoping Kerry asks the "Raygun question". Just look right in the camera and ask the viewers if they're "better off than they were 4 years ago". Then go further..."are we REALLY safer?"

Kerry's a cool customer in this setting and again stature and poise will overshine the manchild's figiting. Without podium, they'll stand side by side...Kerry towering over...and looking very at ease with himself and in complete control. In the other corner, Bunnypants will try to joke and shuck and jive. The contrast will be blatant.

And in the end, the media will call it a draw.

[StlMo]

23. "Are we REALLY safer?" Answer: NO!

You're right.
Americans need to know that Bush has actually made our nation less safe.

[KharmaTrain]

26. This Forum Would Be Great To Do It

I'm not certain they'll be podium-less in the last debate, but I relish the image of Kerry standing tall and in command and the smaller manchild with that smirk and forced swagger-turn slouch. Hughes can't cure poor posture. Implanted cattle prod???

[JusticeForAll]

12. be himself

Kerry should go in and be himself.

Honesty about the issues is what is going to bury Bush. The crowd will not react kindly to the lies Bush is about to spew forth.

The issues will be driven by the people.
Bush will reveal himself a miserable failure all by himself.
No verbal jabs will be necessary, audience response will be enough.

[cheezus]

14. new course / more of the same

that should be Kerry's theme. it works on pretty much EVERYTHING

[RunningFromCongress]

18. Kerry really needs to let everyone know

That he always said, from day one that America needs to let the inspectors do their work first. That has always been his stance "Let the inspectors work, use the threat of force if you have to, but let them work before we goto war" he's always stood by that. Even right after we went in he said "I wish the president would have let the inspectors work" There's no flip flop there. There's no having it both ways

I think Kerry needs to come out with a "I knew enough to know that we might not have known everything" kind of line. Really point out the tunnel vision that this administration suffers from.

He also needs to capitalize that Bush wont be able to remember all the numbers his aides are throwing at him. Bush will probibly fumble or mix up some stuff, Kerry needs to jump on this.

[StlMo]

21. Welcome to DU, RunningFromCongress!

That's a good phrase to describe the Bush Administration: "tunnel vision."
Or: "Hell-bent for war."
As in: "Hell-bent for war with Iraq while Osama got away."

[newyawker99]

47. Hi RunningFromCongress!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[StlMo]

24. New course, new President!

:)

[DemocracyInaction]

17. Kerry should make an opening statement like this:

"I am excusing myself from the debate tonight and leaving because it just isn't nice to torture and kill stupid little animals". Then he should leave.

[bain_sidhe]

20. if the "war flip flop" comes up...

say to the resident, if possible, if not, change pronouns as needed:

Mr. Bush, the whole country is conflicted about your war. It's not unusual that I reflect that; what's unusual is that you don't. Yes, I think it was the wrong war. I thought - and still do - we should be fighting the terrorists that were an immediate threat to us instead of invading a country that wasn't an immediate threat.

That said, we now have a mess on our hands in Iraq. You've destabilized the whole country with your war; it's now *becoming* a haven for terrorists - in short, you've now made it an immediate threat, and we can't leave it like that. The bottom line is you made a mess, and if the American people will give me the opportunity, I will try to clean it up.

[StlMo]

25. Kerry should say "I WILL fix your mess."

Kerry should also say:

"My hard work will have real results."

[bain_sidhe]

27. Good point. As Yoda would say

Fix or do not fix. There is no try. Sorry, thinking about the mess in Iraq makes me wonder if ANYBODY can fix it, so I inserted the qualifier.

I like the "real results" from MY hard work line too!

[StlMo]

29. It is a horrible situation. Frustration is understandable.

Of course, the thought of Yoda brightens my day. :)

[fiorello]

22. If he talks about jobs - link it to Bush policies (esp. taxes)

It's not enough to say "jobs are bad".... or even talk about outsourcing (it's just a 'gotcha').

Jobs are bad, Mr. President, because of specific policies that you chose. Your only response to economic pain has been a tax cut for people making over $200,000. That's not just unfair - its the worst thing for jobs, and is the reason why the recession has lasted a full 4 years.

[StlMo]

28. Kerry should also point out that taxes as a whole have gone up.

Kerry should also point out that taxes as a whole have gone up for many, many ordinary Americans - because of Bush taking money away from states and local governments.
States and local governments had the choice of cutting education and letting roads crumble into disrepair, etc. or raising their own taxes.
They decided to keep their quality of life (particularly for their kids), so regular Americans pay more taxes because of Bush.

[AntiFascist]

51. Kerry should point out that Bush is continuing his policy of outsourcing..

being good for the economy, which has proven not to be true. What is wrong with providing tax incentives to keep jobs in the U.S? Tax revenues from the "insourced" jobs would more than pay for these tax incentives in the long run.

[bain_sidhe]

30. if "you voted for the war" comes up...

Kerry should say:

No, I voted to give the President the authority to go to war as a last resort. A lot of other things were supposed to be done first. He was the one that chose not to follow the plan that was laid out in the resolution. He was the one who chose not to let the inspectors finish their job. He was the one who chose not to build a broad-based, effective coalition before going in. He was the one who chose to rush to war without a plan to secure the peace. NO. That is NOT the plan I voted for.

[StlMo]

31. Great! - That would be very good for Kerry to say in the debate.

:dem:

[jerryster]

36. N/S

Excellent post. Excellent suggestion. I hope it gets to Kerry's people somehow! Well done!

[StlMo]

32. TruthIsAll: 10/8 Election Model:

KERRY 323 EV!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1002641

[AnIndependentTexan]

33. Kerry should say that a blood oath does not make a town hall

[gulliver]

35. Your dad landed on carriers in WW2.

Combines mentioning Bush's father with Bush's little stunt on the aircraft carrier...

[StlMo]

37. Kerry should say directly, "I will lower your tuition."

The cost of college is a huge issue to the massive number of students energized about this election - and it is of paramount importance to families struggling to pay their bills while they have someone getting an education.

[bain_sidhe]

38. "...and fully fund Pell grants!"

Also, :kick: for more ideas! I like these threads!

[StlMo]

39. Exactly

:)

[StlMo]

40. Everybody reading this thread: Don't just read it, post your ideas!

:dem:

[PATRICK]

41. Invite the gagged questioners

to talk to him afterward to highlight the rules of this spectacle and do what Bush has a problem with unless their own people are well prepared.

Get in about the flu does scandal. Bush is also not likely up to speed on just about any real detail off script nor recent events they have not decided the spin for.

No need to mention what Kerry will be doing already.

Prosperity is just around the corner and Bush's turning the corner.

Clarify the uninsured number directly and incontrovertibly.

Job creation while doing the right thing on the environment versus head in sand suffer later approach while the world passes us by.

Bush financial gain and his friends financial gain. have the numbers and percents as opposed to what the nation and the workers have lost because of Bush.

Have some brilliant way of destroying Bush's few remaining strategies, now pitifully depleted and shaky.

Bush's father and the no new taxes retreat, the out of touch complaint and show how that was BETTER than junior because he did raise taxes and took the heat which wouldn't have been so bad had he been forthright and honest in his election. Father ran fairer election campaign overall too. Father had America pointed out of recession at least. Bush is depressing any possible recovery raiding the future.

O'Neill statements about cabinet meetings is a rich mine.

[RunningFromCongress]

43. That's an awesome idea

If kerry said "I know a lot of you have questions that wont be asked durring this debate, so I'll stay around and you can ask me personally afterwards, I want to make sure all of you leave here tonight knowing that you got to ask me your questions" that would be a HUGE showing of his "personal caring" and would really make bush look like a fool..B/c he can either a) do nothing or b) say "Ooo me too, I'll do that too"

[PATRICK]

44. me too, but first

"Sign this loyalty oath."

[sundancekid]

45. YES. an open AND complete forum, instead of gaggled bush-gush

[nostalgicaboutmyfutr]

42. snipped off another blog...

but it is classic:

Since everybody else is doing it, I have a line for Kerry to use in the debate. This line can render impotent all of Bush's expected attacks.

Kerry (after a Bush attack line): While I'm trying to talk about the issues that matter to the American people, George Bush is, once again resorting to stale attack lines. We already know what he's going to say. On the next question he'll call me flip-flopper. The question after that he'll say I'm inconsistant. The question after that he'll say I 'm against making the world safer. There, can we move on to the issues now?

[fob]

46. What does this line mean?

including uncommitted voters not described as "soft Bush" or "soft Kerry."

Does that mean there could be hardcore LaRouche supporters? Or Nader?

Look out John they're gonna attack ya from the loooooonnnnyyyyy left.

Edit: What I as John Kerry would say;

In response to any question -

"How many times have I been arrested?, or has HE been arrested? Me? (Give real number), however as far as bush* I think he's admitted to once or twice, but ask him anyway. Oh the question was about healthcare? Well then..."

Talk about how often you go to church John, don't beat it to death just bring it up once with a decent amount of detail and again later as an aside. The issue is to reveal that bush* is NOT a real christian, you gotta break his trance over the religious who are NOT fundies.

[Joe Turner]

48. This will Knock Shrub out of the Ring

"Mr. President, how can you credibly say that you have done a good job of Protecting the American People from Terrorism when you were on VACATION for the entire month of August leading up to 911, despite being warned repeatedly of a growing terrorist threat? And then even after the horrors of 911 you have proceeded to take more vacation time than any president in American history?!?!?!

Deliver something like this during the debate and it’s Goodbye Smirk.

Most Americans have no clue about just how much vacation time This Bum has taken while in office. It will resonate Big Time.

[cfuhrmanfly]

49. What should Kerry say

How about just be truthful, positive, respectful, presidential, warm AND intelligent. Avoid party line sound bytes everyone has heard already. Talk to the person asking the question with respect and candor and H O N E S T Y and I N T E G R I T Y !

Issues: decided by audience

This is a town hall format so the opponent may bate him to respond to him (the Pres) instead of to the audience. I suggest that many would be impressed and grateful if Kerry doesn't take the bate, and instead, STAYS WITH THE AUDIENCE.

Make sure he has the facts DOWN, or don't say it. Everyone is watching for mis-truths. (Wouldn't it be great if the only statements listed on FactCheck.org were the soon-to-be-former President's?)

Also, I find it annoying when someone asks a question, and the other person talks about something entirely different, just to hit on a point they are supposed cover. Answer the difficult or boring questions candidly and honestly. That would impress me. People so rarely do that.