Centerfield

I think this is his "big chance". This first debate on foreign policy is critical for Kerry. It's the key issue for him, and his best single chance to change impressions of him.

I was reading DailyKos a couple days ago, and all those guys seem to think the all-out attack is the way to go. I think we need to see something quite different -- measured, mature, substantive, but firm. He needs to seem like a president, and it's quite possible (I think) to sound reasonable while also pointing out what's wrong with Bush's foreign policy.

It's the difference between criticising with an angry tone and doing it in calm, measured tones that will strike more people ase sensible and balanced.

I agree that the Kossites are off base. What is it with the tendency to think that if people aren't responding to you, just repeat what you already said, only louder.? EVERY TIME I TRY THIS IT DOESN'T WORK. :-)

And as William and I have agreed in the past, it's the tone that Kerry needs to strike. Kery can't win just by seeming like he might be right. He has to seem presidential, savvy, positive. And like I've said before, he needs to acknlowedge Bush's likeability and the soundness of his impulse to agressively protect, if he wants people who like Bush OK to reject him on the grounds of lousy execution.

It's worth considering whether the media will puff Kerry due to their obvious ratings interest in having a close race. Will they start stressing how unreliable polls can be and point out the ones that show a close race. My sense of the polls is that they have shown an undeniable Bush trend on a state by state basis. The Red states have gotten redder, the swing states more reliably red, and the blue states paler.

Will they start stressing how unreliable polls can be and point out the ones that show a close race.

Good call, Brian. They have already started doing this. I heard them doing it on some news show last week (slipped my mind which one), and on NPR this morning.

What Bill and Brian said. The Kossites are ideological morons who would rather beat the hell out of Bush than win the election. If Kerry goes on a harsh attack, he risks the debate being judged on personality which he will not win. President's aren't pit bull's and there is little chance that Bush will be knocked off message. Kerry needs to tell us why we should vote for Kerry. I agree this is his big chance tonight, and would also argue that it is more than likely his last chance. Kerry turns this around on terrorism and Iraq tonight, or the fat lady begins to warm up.

Let's keep in mind, however, that the candidates who lost in 60', 80', and 00' either where out done by superior personalities and debators, or Gore who won the debate but lost the personality contest because he acted like an a--hole. It is going to be extremely difficult for Kerry to far outdo Bush, or take him off his stride.

It's going to be very difficult for Kerry to strike a presidential tone -- to find that balance we're talking about. I'm not sure it's all that hard to knock Bush off balance, though. World events seem to be doing that. There are all kinds of tough questions that ought to be asked about whether Bush has led us in the right direction, particularly on the topic of tonight's debate.

My son and I are about to leave the house here, by the way, to go to the Edwards rally downtown. We're basically going to watch the debate with the Edwards folks and see him speak afterwards.

Kos from DailyKos, was the guy who said "I feel nothing over their death" and "screw them", referring to the four Americans who were murdered and dismembered in Falluja.

Well, I partially agree with the Kossites in that I think Kerry needs to knock Bush off kilter to kit the mechanics of this race changed. It needs to be measured and presidential, and as BK says, "strike the right tone".

Along with judging the two candidates together on the issues, there is a bit of winner/loser watching going on and I think people will give a little on the presidential side, if it used with humor and not overly meanspirited.

While it might be a bit of a bad example because it didn't change the dynamics of the race, an example that comes to my mind is the jabs Cheney did to Lieberman in regards to helping him get a chance to work in the private sector. It was spontaneous, not overly mean-spirited, and showed that he could think quickly.

A lot is being made about the long list of rules for the debate, but does anyone here really think they will be obeyed? I have a feeling there is going to be some exchanges, even though they don't fit with in the debate rules.

I have to admit, I've been excited all day to see the debate. I can't honestly predict the outcome but if I must, I think Kerry will do pretty well for himself. I hope like the conventions, someone will create an open thread for tonight because it will be interesting to hear feedback from everyone.

I've met Kos a few times now at convention events.

He tends to curse out a lot of people. In the New York Times Magazine article this week, he even said Zephyr Teachout should go to hell, and she was his collaborator in the Dean campaign!

He seems to like animals better than people. He's a vegetarian.