2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumThe first debate is not until October 3rd. I predict that if things keep go like they are now...
... then by the debate Romney's nerves will be shot and Mitt will resemble the character in the video below ...
United States presidential election debates, 2012
First (domestic policy)
Wednesday, October 3; Magness Arena, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado
Moderator: Jim Lehrer
Vice presidential (domestic and foreign)
Thursday, October 11; Norton Center for the Arts, Centre College, Danville, Kentucky
Moderator: Martha Raddatz
Second (town-meeting format)
Tuesday, October 16; David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
Moderator: Candy Crowley
Third (foreign policy)
Monday, October 22; Wold Performing Arts Center, Lynn University, Boca Raton, Florida
Moderator: Bob Schieffer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election_debates,_2012
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)Mitt agreed to four debates, two of them involving foreign policy, and one involving the audience?
it'd save time if he just suspended his campaign until the 6th.
Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)There are normally 3 debates for the presidential candidates and 1 for the VP candidates.
That is how it was in 2008.
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)These folks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commission_on_Presidential_Debates
So, I think that the candidates have to agree to do the debates otherwise they would look CHICKEN
MFM008
(19,808 posts)HE needs the debates not Obama
Ghost of Tom Joad
(1,355 posts)Panasonic
(2,921 posts)and deservedly so.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)neuter the bastards!
spinbaby
(15,090 posts)Mike Daniels
(5,842 posts)Romney has already indicated that he'll follow Palin's lead from the 2008 VP debate and talk about what he wants to talk about.
The only event I think this approach may work at would be the first debate since it deals with domestic policy. Mitt can easily give 1 or 2 sentences of mouth-time to the question asked and then spin it to something dealing with the economy. Even the whole 47 percent snafu plays to the economy and I would expect him to just do a variation of his current comments should that come up.
Given the second debate will have questions coming from the audience I don't see how Mitt can just dodge any non-economy questions without looking like a total putz.
Same with the third debate. I'm sure he'd try to find a way to ignore any questions on foreign policy since he's mucked up every international-relations opportunity so far but I can't see him pulling it off without damaging his already shaky marks on that area.
It will be interesting to see if Romney tries to avoid saying anything that will get the rabid-right attendees cheering something that makes them look like neanderthals...self-deportation, people not being able to afford medical care, etc.