Kerry Aide Threatens to Remove 'Time Up' Lights for Debate

NEWSMAX.COM ^ | Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004 1:19 p.m. EDT | With Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[sr4402]

Democratic candidate John Kerry's campaign demanded Thursday that the lights signaling when a speaker's time has expired during debates with President 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.

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Kerry's team threatened to remove the lights when they visit the debate site with Kerry 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.

[mdmathis6]

Kerry will try to get his own man to control the lights(sarcasm on)!

[OldFriend]

All this is hard to believe isn't it.

Here's a man who insists he would be better able to deal with matter of war and he can't deal with timing lights on his podium.

What next, demands for a potty break?

[Walkingfeather]

You are right on there, Kerrys team only wanted to make sure they had 3 debates. My bet is after tonight they will be looking at the larengitis and my dog at my speach notes.... They will HATE having 3 debates.

[Gabz]

Fox news has been on this and the draft thing ALL day!!!!!!

[nmh]

They want Kerry to ignore the lights and keep talking OVER Bush and monopolize the debate.

[cyncooper]

I heard this in my car on Rush. I am trying think if this is some strategy and what they think they'll achieve.

Do they imagine many people would sympathize with them that the lights should be removed? That seems bizarre and unlikely to me. Most would think "well, we've seen lights before and those are the rules".

Or are they cracking up completely before the event?

I swear, I think they are going insane already. Do I dare say it? It's OVER for Kamp Kerry.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Thanks

[undeniable logic]

I can't remember the question, but Kerry was asked something and his answer was, 'maybe I would have. Yes, I might have."

I don't remember the question, but his answer was "You bet I might have!" I think the question was something along the lines of would you have gone to war with Iraq knowing what you know today - this was a couple of months ago.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Sorry. Best I could Google up on short notice. :)

[Howlin]

I hope it's over tonight. Put a stake in it.

I'm hearing a lot of Dems on TV saying "Rules are made to be broken."

[sr4402]

Teresa, you are the light of my life, I don't need any lights at the podium when I have you. They just get in the way of ruling the United States like I deserve it.

/sarcasm off

[cyncooper]

I'm hearing a lot of Dems on TV saying "Rules are made to be broken."

Oh, good. THAT should go over well with your average American.

NOT

I'll be turning tv back on soon.

[Peach]

In an article I read about those lights the Kerry camp complains they will be distracting.

This is from the man who wants to be PRESIDENT. And will have a million distractions. Hah!

[PumaMan]

Oh yes, the media hacks are all saying that height means victory.

Gore was taller than Bush, as well. That "height means victory" theory was the whole reason why THE NOD happened in the third debate of 2000. Obviously Gore's advisors told him to hover as close to Bush as possible so people could clearly see the height difference, but of course Al just made it look totally awkward and weird.

[cyncooper]

That is ridiculous.

LOL!

I love it. hehehehe

[Alia]

I think your explanation of "noise interference" is quite sound (no pun); and were I to credit logic to the Kerry campaign, this sudden dislike of the "time light" might be a reason.

[CDB]

What happened to the "multilateral" Kerry? Breaking rules he agreed to is the most blatantly "unilateral" behavior.

Not just hypocritical, but disingenuous, and dishonest.

[petercooper]

For demanding the "times up" lights be removed, I think Senator Kerry needs a timeout! Put this behind his podium.

[CDB]

Classic Leninism. This is what North Korea likes to do.

[LikeLight]

I hate seeing your name used in vain.

Yes, for some reason I'm drawn to these light threads!