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.
Congress has just passed legislation outlawing the Democrat Party and it has been signed into law.
The arrests begin in five minutes.
</Regeanesque mode>
That should get Teddy Kennedy's attention. Oh, wait, they mean the tool.
Here's my dream scenario:
They DO bring that screwdriver, and the Secret Service guys jump Kerry to protect the President. This would also include KERRY's SS detail...
heh.
>>"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.<<
Bring a screwdriver? Do these people really know how to use one? Maybe we should let George show them how.
A ZOT button for the moderator? I'd be all for that! :o)
Advice to John Kerry: stay out of Teresa's stash just before the debate begins. It's good stuff, but we're just going to spend the whole time wondering what exactly you are on rather than listening to your bimetallic overtones.
They need a screwdriver because they don't know how to unscrew the lightbulb.
Actually, the lights must come down!!
You see, these flashing lights remind kerry of his Christmas in Cambodia, where he was cheating death with all the incoming enemy fire.
It is only fair that he not be forced to endure this trigger that brings on such unpleasant memories.
This is great! Kerry is getting into a fight with the debate commision. GWB must just be laughing his a## off. This debate is going to be absolutely priceless. I can just see the little light going off right in the middle of one of Kerry's potifications, and him getting huffy about it and whining that the rules are keeping him from answering the question.
Oh MAN, can I see a graphic for that!!
Exactly - a stupid move.
But if they were to forcibly remove them from the President's lectern - that's a stupid move, as well.
It was a grueling debate. It was seared, I tell you, seared into my brain...
Last Call
Of course. Because a typical debate tactic is to steamroll your opponent with a torrent of points and eat into his response time. With the lights there, the whole country will know that Kerry is not playing by the rules.
SWEAT...His glands are already quiverring.
I'd probably throw my back completely out laughing if a Ketchup Boy aide was forced to do the perp walk by the USSS for showing up with a Phillip's screwdriver.
"I don't know if I'm even going to watch tonight. I don't think I can stomach hearing Kerry for a minute, let alone over an hour. Besides, my mind is definitely made up. "
I already decided I wasn't going to watch it since the MSM already has Kerry as the winner.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.