I know time is flying by this campaign season, but did you realize the first Bush-Kerry presidential debate is scheduled to take place in just two weeks?
We’re getting pretty close to having to finalize a schedule, but at this point, only one side (Kerry) has agreed to participate.
The commission that proposed three presidential candidate debates says time is running out for the Bush and Kerry campaigns to agree on details so organizers can finalize their plans.
The Commission on Presidential Debates last week sent a letter to the two campaigns asking for a meeting about their concerns, but has heard nothing back.
The first scheduled debate is a little more than two weeks away, on Sept. 30 in Coral Gables, Fla.
“It’s very important that there be adequate lead time to produce these debates in a way that ensures their quality and educational value for the American public,” Janet Brown, the commission’s executive director, said Tuesday.
Quality, schmality, says the Bush campaign, who even now refuses to agree to the bi-partisan schedule. Brown says 10 days are needed, at a minimum, to produce a presidential debate, which means Bush has until Monday to agree to show up in Miami on the 30th.
I still believe BC04 is engaged in a world-class bluff, which, as it turns out, actually might work the way the campaign wants it to. The “will they debate?” story will get bigger the longer Bush drags his feet and the closer we get to the scheduled dates, which will make it seem like the president is scared to participate. In turn, Bush will be lowering expectations, just like he did four years ago, and improving his debate performance before the event even takes place.