Kerry Team Wants Debate Lecterns Free Of Timing Lights

AP ^ | 09/30/2004 | AP

[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.

[LBelle]

*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.*

Yeah, never mind that he agreed to the rules, right? Oh, wait a minute, one of his ADVISERS agreed to the rule, not him. Just another underling screwing things up for him.

[TC Rider]

When Edwards was on Imus yesterday, he was whining about the debate negotiations, "They (bush team)got everything they wanted."

Imus finally woke up with a retort today, "What's that say about their negotiating skills?"

Vernon Jordan - 0
James Baker - 1

[Chairman_December_19th_Society]

With the lights there, the whole country will know that Kerry is not playing by the rules.

Moderator: Sen. Kerry, you're time has expired.

Kerry: Mr. Lehr, I would like to offer a rebuttal to my last remark.

[Petronski]

This is already the most hillarious campaign I've ever seen.

Agreed. And that's including Dukakis AND Mondale.

[Antoninus]

If the Senator's team wants to act little toddlers and bring in screwdrivers to mess with the debate set, let them - as long as the moderators explain before the debates begin why the Senator's podium is different from the President's.

The correct response should be, "Senator, if your team does that, we'll have no choice but to do a split-screen every time you speak so that the President's podium and lights will be visible to the audience."

[SGCOS]

Good thing the long winded blowhard doesn't drive.

"Every time I get behind the wheel, I get distrcted by the traffic lights."

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

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.

Five bucks says he just goes right on talking, ignoring all mechanical and verbal reprimands with his trademarked snotty, pseudo-patrician disdain.

Why not? It's not as if any moderator working for PBS is actually going to bother enforcing the already agreed-upon rules on TerAYza's Pool Boy, likely as not.

[LBelle]

My mom thinks I'm being a wimp, but really, who needs to listen to that horse's ass? I have enough going on in my life without putting myself through unnecessary pain.

[Chairman_December_19th_Society]

*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.*

He'll whine that he's not getting his full two minutes.

[Political Junkie Too]

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

Isn't that union work?

How many different union members need to be involved? They'll need an electrician, a lighting consultant, maybe an inspector.

-PJ

[LBelle]

gotta looooove the velvet hammer!

[Ruth A.]

The sKerry meltdown is in the serious stage now. What fools to not even try to be gracious. Here's the elegant answer: I see I am out of time, I will be certain to further address this on my website/campaign stops/etc.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I hope the Bush team insisted that no hamsters are at the debates or else Kerry could stage a "save" right in front of the worldwide audience.

[Chairman_December_19th_Society]

How many different union members need to be involved? They'll need an electrician, a lighting consultant, maybe an inspector.

First you will need a demolition permit. Then a construction permit. Gotta be mafia connections to get all those permits through city hall, duncha know...

[Peach]

If there ANYTHING this many doesn't whine about? Anything?

[Stashiu]

Hmmm, Kerry spent too much time with the Hanoi crowd. Perhaps that is where he got his negoiating skills.

[Stashiu]

negoiating=negotiating

[Chairman_December_19th_Society]

If there ANYTHING this many doesn't whine about? Anything?

His suntan in a can...

[Aut Pax Aut Bellum]

Nice of them to admit that their candidate is easily distracted.

Yea, next all bright shiny objects will be banned,too.

[Chairman_December_19th_Society]

Yea, next all bright shiny objects will be banned,too.

Ban the opponent, then there's no distraction for the nuance.