Posted on 09/30/2004 10:10:14 AM PDT by rumrunner
DJ Kerry Team Wants Debate Lecterns Free Of Timing Lights
09/30/2004
Dow Jones News Services
(Copyright © 2004 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP)--Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's campaign demanded Thursday that the lights signaling when a speaker's time has expired during debates with President George W. Bush be removed from the lecterns because they are distracting, but the commission hosting the debates refused.
An angry exchange between representatives of the Kerry campaign and the Commission on Presidential Debates took place just hours before the candidates were to meet at the University of Miami for the first of three debates, The Associated Press learned. Kerry's team threatened to remove the lights when they visit the debate site with the candidate later in the day.
"We'll bring a screwdriver," said a Kerry aide familiar with what several people called an angry exchange. The commission did not return a call seeking comment.
The commission placed the lights on the lecterns in clear view of the television audience and those in the auditorium. An agreement between the Kerry and Bush campaigns specified that timing lights "shall be placed such that they are visible to the debate audiences and television viewers."
However, Kerry's team contended that the agreement doesn't specifically say where the lights should be placed, and it said putting them on the lecterns creates a distraction. The Bush team pushed for the lights in negotiations with Kerry advisers.
The commission is a nonprofit and nonpartisan corporation that has sponsored all the presidential debates since 1988.
I don't think the President should get close to this guy, much less shake hands if he has threatened to have a weapon [screwdriver]. In addition, President Bush would have to have soap and water handy to wash off whatever the hell is all over EFNK's hands and skin.
If Kerry is worried about the lights being distracting, why doesn't he just bring somehting to block them from his view?
-PJ
Things I would pay to see:
The kerry camp rips out the lights.
During Kerry's first response Dubya flicks a bic after 60 seconds.
What did Vernon Jordan ever negotiate besides Monica's new employment opportunities?
And I've been at enough hearings and watched a number more on TV and I've yet to see any Congresscritter that wants to make their point really pay attention to those lights.
Can't wait until somebody from the audience to clear their throat early on.
That alone would be enough to rattle his fragile psyche for the rest of the debate.
Well, the truth is already standing in his way...
What the Bush team ought to do is send out their Spokesperson with this proposal.
'Mr. Kerry seems to have a problem to a agreed to terms of the Debate. So we are willing to allow J. Kerry to remove the time limit light that was to be placed on the respective podium. If Senator Kerry would agree that Mics will be killed at the end of each Candidate's alloted time per question.'
Get the cameras in their NOW!
This should be seen by all if they really are gonna do it.
Cool graphic.
Then he'd be orange and blue, like a Florida Gators fan.
Hey now, I'm a 'Cane fan, but don't diss the Gators like that!!!
Um, Kerry does know that if he wins the Presidency there will be lots of lights shining at his Press Conference right?
The graphics artists need to get on this one! LOLOL!!!
..Touche. :))
The glow from these lights is an obvious discrimination against Orange Americans.
I don't care who you are now that's funny right there.....
Could be a problem.
That might remind him of the gunfire that was seared into his brain from Cambodia...
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