[FedCom] The hump on Bush's back

[Dave Emery]

On Fri, Oct 15, 2004 at 12:29:10AM -0400, Peter Gottlieb wrote:
> Why?  I accept that he is just a figurehead.  He doesn't govern in a 
> vacuum, he has his staff around all the time to help him and for him to 
> bounce ideas off of.  What's the big deal if they can give him pointers? 

	I think there is an assumption that a debate between two
candidates is between the two candidates only and a test of how well
each of them can answer questions and explain their policies, not a test
as to how well the candidates, their senior advisors and anyone who can
be reached by phone or email or in person in a hurry can do at making
arguments and producing facts.

	And if the debates are intended as a test of the man and his
staff versus the other guy and his staff, I should think this should
have been  explained to the public up front and Kerry should have been
allowed to have his advisors flash him messages too...

	Not a very fair debate if it is a contest between one guy
(however good a debater) and the POTUS and any of his senior staff he
feels might be able to help him.
	
	For me, and I think the most of the rest of the public that took
the time to watch such debates are a rare chance to get a measure of the
candidates comparative brains, command of facts, and ability to explain
and communicate their policies and think on their feet.  Also a chance
to observe their temprement and response to a stressful situation.   All
of which goes out the  window if unseen offstage staff is controlling
what they are saying.

	In the end it the POTUS that has the final say on all matters
that the White House decides, and it matters if he is an airhead
figurehead or someone with some substance and  knowlage about the issues
he makes the final call on...


>   If I were in a debate with a stronger opponent I would love to have 
> something like that!  And what an honor to be one of the people chosen 
> to give those pointers; wow!

	I guess you are the kind who would employ someone to take your
SAT or GRE exams or write your papers for you if you could ?

	You see nothing wrong with cheating ?

-- 
   Dave Emery N1PRE,  die at dieconsulting.com  DIE Consulting, Weston, Mass 02493