Rules for tonight's debate

[Il duce]

After watching the first two debates, I've decided that all the rules they agreed on really weren't enough. I'd like to see the following rules added:

1. The term waffler or flip flopper cannot be used as it can easily be applied to either candidate.
2. Don’t tell me that you have a wonderful plan, but can’t describe it right now. That means you don’t have a plan.
3. You can’t tell me how bad the other guy’s plan is unless you tell me what your plan is.
4. Stop talking about winning the peace. I don’t even know what that means. War is about taking control of property and killing people. You get the peace when you have all the property and all of the people are killed or have surrendered. I don’t even know what that means. Even if you had a wonderful plan for peace before an invasion it would all be worth shi* the moment the fighting started. To many things change. Besides the current admin seems to be trying to “win the peace” before they truly have victory on the battlefield by rushing elections in January and currently having interim government in place. Their plan just isn’t going well.
5. Speaking of which, stop pissing on my leg and telling me it’s raining, I know that the war in Iraq isn’t going well, and we’re basically in this fight alone. My apologies to Poland.
6. Bush can’t throw “wrong war, wrong place, wrong time” in Kerry’s face anymore until he explains it was the right war, at the right place, and the right time.
7. Stop telling me that you’re going to get everybody in the world join us in this thing. I don’t hear anybody saying that they won’t help because they don’t like the cowboy.
8. No more Vietnam, what you did for four months right out of high school or college doesn’t mean squat to me.
9. Don’t imply that the chances of a terrorist attack are increased if the other guy is elected. It’s a double penalty if while you were president there was a terrorist attack after you ignored intelligence stating that one was being planned.
10. Stop pretending to take notes when the other guy is talking and don’t make stupid faces either.
11. Just answer the question asked and the question you want to answer.

[Guerilla poster]

Number 11 is impossible for any politician.

[Moe Szyslak]

These rules would make for a quiet debate.

[Patience]

actually all the weaknesses you want to avoid give us some insight into the candidates personality, which isn't all bad.

I know some people want just the issues, but you can read those anywhere.

[Moe Szyslak]

Originally Posted by Patience

I know some people want just the issues, but you can read those anywhere.

"Go read more at JohnKerry.com" has been deemed a poor response and indicative of actually having no plan or one you don't want to talk about.

[Patience]

Originally Posted by Moe.

"Go read more at JohnKerry.com" has been deemed a poor response and indicative of actually having no plan or one you don't want to talk about.

I don't disagree, but the response is something to learn from about Kerry

[gadzookz]

Originally Posted by Il duce

11. Just answer the question asked and the question you want to answer.

I would add to that - you cannot go back to answer a question asked previously because you now have thought of a better, more complete answer or because you want more rebuttal time.

[Pseudolus]

All responses must be given in iambic pentameter and end with a heroic couplet.

[Westley]

Originally Posted by gomer_tree

The main problme with the debates are the 30 second rebuttals. It's impossible to rebut some outrageous claim that may need fleshing out in 30 seconds. It's a problem for both guys, of course, but it seems a little silly.

Yeah, how about something like 10 minutes of TOTAL rebuttal time for each candidate, to use as they choose? If you want to spend 3 minutes on an important topic for you, fine. Or, 10 seconds if it's something silly and frivolous.

[Patience]

thanks guys, I needed someone to bring up rebuttals