If Edwards drops out, should Kerry debate Kucinich and Sharpton?

[Armstead]

If Edwards drops out, and Kucinich and Sharpton stay in the race, should Kerry debate them?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. It's not even realistic to ask

Kerry would have absolutely, positively nothing to gain from debating Sharpton and Kucinich. Why would he ever bother to put himself at risk when he has no need to? That just doesn't make sense in any kind of strategy.

[Armstead]

3. I disagree

(Taking off my neutral pollsters hat)

Kerry would have a lot to gain if it shows that he is willing to engage on the issues and constituencies they represent.

One of the problems many of us have is that he seems to represent the Olympian and Centrist faction, without acknowledging the progressive and more liberal aspects of Democrats and independents.

Rather than ignore things like Kucinich's call for universal single payer health care as he has done so far, he needs to explain why he is oppposed to it, and in what ways he believes a difference made. Similarly on trade, Iraq and otehr issues.

Kucinich is not a vanity candidate. He represents the more progressive wing of democrats, and many independents who share his views. And with the departure of Dean and Clark, he is in a position to represent the "outsider" viewpoint.

I have mixed feelings about Sharpton,becauae he's a bit of a huckster, and probably not the best representative of the black constituency. However, Sharpton does represent a definite point of view articulately.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

13. He better

Candidates who refuse to debate are not serious candidates and will be treated as such come election day.

[jmoss]

15. He should...but he absolutely could care less what DK & AS have to say

...He was direct;y challenged by the Edwards camp to 1:1 debate in a Super Tuesday State. Sen. Kerry was empahatic about everyone being there. But don't let that fool you into thinking it's b/c he WANTS to debate the other two. He's just using another media trick to make it appear as if it's already decided to be Kerry--and then the rest of the pack!

No offense to Kucinich or Sharpton supporters, but turning down Edwards offer to sit down 1:1, in any forum, was lame & showed a lack of confidence that his "balloon" is unbreakable.

[revcarol]

2. Now THAT would be a debate worth watching!!

I'd PAY MONEY to see that debate.

On edit: to post 1, it WOULD be risky for Kerry. He might have to stop giving the nation pablum and give us real meat instead.

[cyclezealot]

4. Kerry thinks he can take us for granted he is wrong.

Democratic conventions have a way of being boisterous. Even Kerry's delegates are likely to be in agreement with Kucinich on most issues. Iowa caucus voters confirmed the anti-war sentiment there.
Kerry does not answer issue differences between the constituencies within the Democratic party, we can just set it out after July. Wants a united party, then issues are more important than the horse race.
Just because Kerry might be the nominee, he wants to call in the Democratic constituencies for support; he will need earn their respect. We can tell him of our disagreement either now or after July. His choice.
Kerry Does end the job, trade, dollars going overseas, health care crisis,then we have no Democratic Administration.

[KittyWampus]

5. Yes, But At A University Setting With Moderators

who would be PROFESSIONAL.

In other words, not a big, slick corporate packaged production like we've had to suffer through.

Even if it didn't go on tv but on the radio or Cspan.

[John_H]

6. Of course not. The only reason he debated Edwards was because he had to.

The frontrunner can only lose a debate--never win.

[Kathleen04]

7. Sure..

It'd be good to keep a discussion going, but I don't see Edwards leaving unless Kerry has 2,161 delegates..

[spooky3]

8. Kucinich & Sharpton don't change as "serious" candidates after STues.

If they were "serious" before, they are "serious" afterward and deserve to be in the debates to the same extent at both times.

[Armstead]

9. After hearing the CBS debate just now...

I'm convinced that a debate to outlibe the differences between Kerry and real progressive positions are necessary.

[GreenArrow]

12. the differences are clear

to anyone who is paying attention. Kucinich is the real thing, but he will not get a chance. The media has gone from ignoring him to treating him with outright contempt (nor have his noble opponents risen to his defense, and why should they--he shows them up as counterfiets.) It is clear what the media and what the party-first Democrats feel about clear progressive positions--they hold them in contempt.

[GreenArrow]

10. whys should he? What's in it for him?

Nothing is in it for him. No one will watch it. Business as usual has triumphed once more, long live business as usual!

[Dhalgren]

11. No, because Kerry can't debate them.

Kerry might be able to hold his own with that simpleton, Bush, but if these "debates" were even remotely even-handed, Kerry wouldn't have a chance. So I say stop insulting DK and Al, and all the rest of us and just go ahead and corronate George Kerry - the people will only vote for him or John Bush.

[democratreformed]

14. What popped immediately into my head - Absolutely

Dennis, especially asks great questions without attacking and keeps issues at the forefront, IMO.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

16. Better yet

Put them in front of an audience and let audience members ask unscripted questions.

That's where DK really shines. :-)

[anarchy1999]

17. Same thing here - ABSOLUTELY!!

YES, Yes, yes!

No ifs, ands or buts!

[Kahuna]

18. If Edwards drops out the "race" is over.

There will be no more debates.

[rucky]

19. Them & Nader

For the benefit of those leaning third party or not voting.

Trouble is, it couldn't possibly help Kerry - who's taking it from both ends. But it isn't going to happen anyways so that's how I voted.

[FreeSpeechCrusader]

20. If these post Edward's debates would be anything like the previous debates

the moderators would just be asking Kerry question after question while occasionally letting Dennis and Al sneak in their point of view. We could not refer to it as a debate but rather as a dialogue between Kerry and the moderators.