Official Debate Rules
Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:34 am
by Rspaight
Found via Tom Tomorrow's site. Fascinating reading.
http://www.johnkerry.com/pdf/pr_2004_0920b.pdf
Ryan
Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 10:24 am
by Dob
"No props, notes, charts, diagrams, or other writings or other tangible things may be brought into the debate by any candidate. Neither candidate may reference or cite any specific individual sitting in a debate audience at any time during a debate."
What is the purpose of these rules? Specifically, why are the candidates expected to memorize everything? And it is allowable to reference or cite any specific individual not present at the debate, but not if he's actually there? I don't get it.
Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:18 am
by Rspaight
The first, I assume, is to level the playing field, so one guy doesn't come in with flip-charts and a notebook full of statistics that the other guy doesn't have the facts or flashy props on hand to effectively refute. Also to prevent grandstanding, like pulling out a picture of some guy who died on 9/11 or Saddam's gun or a Purple Heart or something.
The second I think is also a grandstanding rule, so a candidate can't plant a "surprise" in the crowd -- "Iraq's going great! But don't take *my* word for it, ask Prime Minister Allawi! He's right over there!" "I happen to know that sitting in the second row is a woman who lost her job and health coverage and has to eat through a straw and poop in a bag. Stand up, ma'am!"
I find this sort of thing endlessly interesting. My life is a hollow shell.
Ryan