"Lies, Damned Lies, and Political Stump Speeches"

[Douglas]

I think it's a double-edged sword. It could come off as gay-bashing, it could also make some think, Oh cool, Cheney's daughter is gay, maybe it will make him more compassionate towards homosexuals.

That's what I was thinking.

[Phi for All]

What these debates have shown me is how the entire election process has been boiled down to a numbers process. The candidates rely on opinion polls and spin specialists to tell them what to say and how to say it rather than speaking from the heart or trying to be honest about the realities of how the system works.

 

We try to forget that big money is in their face every day trying to get them to play ball, promising this in return for that. To big money, it is all numbers. Corp A's $1M contribution to Cadidate A's pet project gets a favorable bill passed which results in savings of $1.6M for Corp A which is a 60% ROI.

 

I feel so manipulated. I think Pangloss said it before, advocacy is our only way out of this. The wealthiest 1% in this country has more money than the bottom 90%, but we still have clout with our votes. It's the one thing we have and we let it slip through our fingers more every day.

[Pangloss]

Not really, for me. Why would you add in non-workers like children and retirees when talking about unemployment?

 

Yeah normally I wouldn't, if I were talking about unemployment. But he and I were talking about the overall economy. Children and retirees certainly contribute to that. The point I was trying to make was really just that unemployment is just a small part of the picture. A critical one, I agree, but if you want to talk about the big picture, then let's actually talk about the big picture. That's all I was saying there.

 

 

Still haven't seen the second and third debates, by the way, if I sound a little quiet on the subject. I got hit with some deadlines.

[john5746]

I want a debate where opponents can directly address each other and ask each other direct questions. I want to see them argue back and forth, taking turns countering and asking each other questions. I want a debate where the candidates an speak from their heart, not from what they've memorized (it's so obvious both candidates pre-memorized all kinds of lines, especially buzz-words). I just want to see a genuine debate; like old highschool debates. There are way too many rules. These debates were basically extended commercials for each party. The candidates weren't challenged on any issues.

 

I think Bush displayed to everyone that he doesn't think well on his feet, some feel he doesn't think very well at all. I was trying to imagine him interviewing for ANY job last night. I don't think he could get a job on his own in this economy.

 

Kerry bugged me with the Cheney daughter remark. I don't think he was trying to embarress, just bad tact to bring family into it other than to compliment. He also disappointed me with Social Security. Bush didn't do much better, but at least he wants to change something!

 

I think I will just write in my name on the ballot. I can do as good as them.

[Phi for All]

What is everyone's feelings that Bush was being fed answers through a hidden device during the debates?

http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/1331

http://www.redefeatbush.com/index.php

http://www.isbushwired.com/

[Pangloss]

That we have more important things to worry about.

 

Some of those sites are pretty funny, though.

[Skye]

Looks like bollocks.

 

Anyway, there's not much difference between being told what to say before the debate than being told what to say during the debate.

[atinymonkey]

The 'lump' looks like his spine, who's have guessed?

[bloodhound]

thing is, this election has come down to which party is best at character assasination. The Bush party is trying its best to paint Kerry in minds of undecided voters as a flip flopper. while kerry is trying to paint bush as someone who hasnt full filled his campaign promises

[blike]

Anyway, there's not much difference between being told what to say before the debate than being told what to say during the debate.

Don't think he was wired, but I think skye's quote sums the whole issue up.

[Phi for All]

The 'lump' looks like his spine, who's have guessed?

The lump is too square to be his spine, but I have suspenders that cross right about there and probably look like that from behind.

 

I think most of this speculation came about because of his curious remark, "Now, let me finish!" during the first debate, when nobody had interupted and their was no reaction from the crowd. I remembered thinking how odd that sounded.

[Sayonara]

Anyway, there's not much difference between being told what to say before the debate than being told what to say during the debate.

Unless of course the candidate has problems remembering long sentences and stacks of [if...then] style instructions, in which case the debate would normally make this visible as a shortcoming of the candidate.

[Skye]

True enough.

 

I think it's more likely he's just spent some preparing for these debates though.