A delicate balance, again, for Kerry during the debate

As I was reading reports about Kerry's past successful debates with Weld, I was thinking that there really is no comparison.

I don't know Weld but I have no doubt that he is more educated, knowledgeable and articulate than Bush. Our first instinct would be to treat Bush with contempt, like the imbecile ignoramus that he is.

But in contrast to 2000, now he is a sitting president and showing a contempt to him would offend many viewers who think that if not the man, at least the office deserves respect.

Kerry certainly has demonstrated this when, while being on David Letterman, constantly refereed to him as "the President." Yet, if he is too deferral to him many voters may conclude that, hey, he is our president and we should keep him in office. There are many reports that Gore "sighs" cost him the debate though I have to admit, I don't remember those... silly me, I was listening to the spoken words..

I hope that some of Kerry's debate coaches are aware of these issues.

Perhaps, but what did it imho was the frequent, "I have to agree with what Mr. * just said".

and listen to * without responding to *'s smartass remarks. Everything he says will be great. I never heard the sighs and thought the eye rolling was funny but pundits pick on whatever they can. Reminds me of little kids in school calling each other names. Really stupid stuff is made up.

no matter how this "debate" goes Bush has already been declared the winner in advance by the media...

debate with Gore, but Gore won the election.