Dems try to lower debate expectations

[wyldwolf]

For presidential hopefuls, it's called the Expectations Game.

Here's how it's played: Before a debate, rival campaigns build up the skills of their opponents while downgrading their own candidate's verbal abilities. That way, any bright moments make a performance seem like a home run.

For the Democratic hopefuls, the first major round of the Expectations Game came ahead of Thursday night's debate at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, S.C. The 90-minute event offers eight candidates their initial chance to distinguish themselves on the long road to the nomination next year.

"I've just got to make sure I don't trip walking on the stage," joked Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, who complained that the candidates get no opening or closing statements and that responses to questions are limited to 60 seconds.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) cracked, "It takes me 60 seconds to clear my throat."

Such self-deprecating comments before a debate are common in the Expectations Game. So is anonymous praise.

One of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's rivals tried to set high stakes for her performance by sharing with a reporter a 1990 editorial in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Clinton, as first lady of Arkansas, once turned a news conference staged by her husband's Republican challenger into an impromptu debate. "The tougher Clinton" went on to "mop the marble floor with her husband's opponent," the newspaper contended.

In a similar bit of gamesmanship, an Obama opponent tried to raise the bar for the Illinois senator by pointing out to a reporter that he had been editor of the Harvard Law Review and rose to prominence on the strength of his rhetorical skills. The campaign cited a letter to the editor in The Seattle Times last February that claimed Abraham Lincoln would have lost his election if he had to debate Obama instead of Stephen Douglas.

And a rival camp to former Sen. John Edwards recalled in an e-mail to a reporter his accomplishments as a trial lawyer. Extolling his intense preparations and his ability to win over the jury, the rival provided several news clips hailing his previous debate performances.

Such praise usually ends as soon as the talk begins.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070426/ap_on_el_pr/democrats_debate_3

[rinsd]

1. Whadda ya think, wyldwolf? Is this Richardson's shot?

Is this his chance to move into the upper tier of candidates?

[Tellurian]

2. With this field of candidates ..

"That's just about 11 minutes per candidate. Long shots like former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel and Ohio Rep.
Dennis Kucinich would get just as much time to explain their views as their better-known rivals."

And knowing Kucinich has the edge as a "speech communications" specialist..Gavel may as well pack up his dog-sled and mush!

[cleveramerican]

3. I think Biden is the wildcard.

He's powerfully motivated to get folks to pay attention to him, I think he could mow somebody down tonight, just to grab some attention.He's smart and knowledgeable, a good speaker.

[Byronic]

5. Biden is a superb speaker

Nobody will 'win' the debate tonight though, because it isn't really a debate. We've gone down this road before many times. We know what to expect. It will really be simultaneous press conferences with minimal exchange between candidates. That's ok though. It will be a decent parade for all the candidates, and good coverage of Democratic points of view.

That said, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Biden made an impact tonight, as much as the format allows him.

[Tellurian]

7. Candidates will have 1 min to respond and 30 sec for rebuttal..

Good Luck, Hillary!


:popcorn:

I think I'm more nervous than she is! :hi:

[SaveElmer]

4. I hope they all do well...

Need to have the ultimate winner lookin good for the general...

[Tellurian]

6. Yep, I hope so to..

as long and they look relaxed and comfortable-

they'll come across well to the public.

[windy252]

8. I wonder how the media

will try to make our candidates look bad. Man, I’m cynical.

[polichick]

9. Oh, they'll have a field day!

That's why it's important for people to watch every minute for themselves. I hope many do!