[AmericanInTokyo]

"This time around the number of GOP debates is out of control and for the most part, they’ve been uneventful. No one is gonna remember most of these dog and pony shows anyway. Of course, Fred will attend some debates. How many, who knows. Primary debates have never been a major factor in determining who I vote for. Most people I know don't vote fior someone based on how well they do in debates. After all, Republicans aren’t nominating the best debater. "

Uh, Okayyyy.

You mean, you don't recall one of the best lines in a primary debate EVER, when the very man of your Freeper moniker-namesake, chewed out journalists, referencing his microphone he had bought? That 1980 Nashua primary debate in New Hampshire was a pivotal moment, and even President Reagan stated that later that it "helped me take the White House."

I am sorry. These debates are important.

It think there is just rationalizing going on about avoiding them--I think unless someone comes down with the shingles or german measles, no reason why one should duck.

[Politicalmom]

Later debates are important. The current ones are stupid and demeaning.

[FreeReign]

You mean, you don't recall one of the best lines in a primary debate EVER, when the very man of your Freeper moniker-namesake, chewed out journalists, referencing his microphone he had bought? That 1980 Nashua primary debate in New Hampshire was a pivotal moment, and even President Reagan stated that later that it "helped me take the White House." I am sorry. These debates are important. It think there is just rationalizing going on about avoiding them

Ironically, Reagan avoided all the debates in the summer and fall of '79, and Nashua was the ONE and ONLY debate he participated in for the nomination. And don't try to rationalize away this fact.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>>These debates are important.

To borrow a phrase: "There you go again". In the 1980 primary campaign, Ronald Reagan's campaign manager John Sears kept him out of many debates in what was called, an "above the fray strategy".

Fred`s campaign announced last night he will attend the debate on Oct 9, 2007 in Dearborn Michigan. The truth of the matter is, attending these debates seems to be important to some folks. The actual debates themselves and their perceived outcome have never had a serious impact on the nomination process. Once the field is narrowed down to the top tier candidates then debates become more relevant.

These debates are a media circus and always have been.