Can a Prez Candidate Refuse to Debate?

TruthWins

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Thu May-13-04 02:30 PM
Original message

Can a Prez Candidate Refuse to Debate?

I imagine there's nothing that says a presidential candidate has to debate, is there? Although it's probably worse to look like you're ducking a debate than to debate and lose, so W. will do it.

I think the debate or debates will seal it for Kerry. Not that he's so great a debater, but he comes off very knowledgeable & that will be apparent next to W.

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wryter2000

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Thu May-13-04 02:33 PM
Response to Original message

1. Welcome to DU

I think you're right. There's no requirement, but it would be the kiss of death, I would think, unless the President was overwhelmingly popular.

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charlie105

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Thu May-13-04 02:35 PM
Response to Original message

2. Don't forget the 'Nader Effect'. The Bushies will insist

on including Nader in every debate because he's (now thanks to the Deform Party) a legitimate candidate. And Nader's anti-war rant would take away from Kerry's arguments.

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pnorman

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Thu May-13-04 02:44 PM
Response to Reply #2

4. Had BOTH candidates not blocked him in 2000,

Nader might have brought a little reality to those marshmallow-tosses. And that MIGHT have caused Gore to act like a Democrat, instead of a kindler and gentler Bush. That might have changed the Democratic tally, and for the better.

pnorman

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HooptieWagon

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Thu May-13-04 02:37 PM
Response to Original message

3. no, they don't have to participate in a debate..

but as you pointed out, the political fallout from having ducked a debate is probably worse than debating and losing. BTW, I wouldn't count on ChimpCo losing - the media and RW pundits will likely declare ChimpCo the "winner", even if Kerry blows him away. When defeat is staring you in the face, declare victory and call the game over. Typical repug strategy.

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