Commission On Presidential Debates Has Set Three Debates

The Commission on Presidential Debates, the organization intrusted with the task of setting the format, venue, and dates of the Presidential Debates, annouced that there would be three debates. This is what they reported:

November 19, 2007

Paul G. Kirk, Jr. and Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., co-chairmen of the non-partisan, non-profit Commission on Presidential Debates ("CPD" or "the Commission") today announced dates, sites and formats of three presidential and one vice presidential debates for the 2008 general election. The dates and sites are:

First presidential debate:
Friday, September 26
University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS

Vice presidential debate:
Thursday, October 2
Washington University in St. Louis, MO

Second presidential debate:
Tuesday, October 7
Belmont University, Nashville, TN

Third presidential debate:
Wednesday, October 15
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY


The two backup sites are Centre College in Danville, KY and Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC.

The Commission also announced formats for the debates.

All debates will be ninety minutes in length and start at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Each debate will be administered by a single moderator.

The first presidential debate will focus on domestic policy; the third presidential debate will focus on foreign policy.

The second presidential (town meeting format) debate will include any issues raised by members of that audience, and the vice presidential debate will include domestic and foreign policy.

In each debate except the town meeting format, the candidates will be seated at a table with the moderator.

Kirk and Fahrenkopf introduced two format features different from CPD formats of the past. The first change will be incorporated in the first and third presidential debates as well as the vice-presidential debate.

Each of those debates will be divided into 8 ten-minute issue segments; the moderator will introduce each segment with an issue on which each candidate will comment, after which the moderator will facilitate further discussion of the issue, including direct exchange between the candidates, for the balance of that segment. Time will be reserved for closing statements by each of the candidates in each debate.

Kirk and Fahrenkopf noted that this change is aimed at increasing the educational value of the general election debates. "Our mission is to promote voter education. The public deserves to hear and see the candidates offer and defend their positions on the critical issues facing our country in the most thoughtful and in-depth manner that television time constraints will allow. Loosening the constraints within the ninety minutes debate will allow for more serious examination of complicated questions. This change will also open the possibility of the moderator inviting candidates to question each other. We want voters to benefit from as full an explanation of a topic as possible, and we feel certain that the candidates will welcome this change for the same reason."

The second departure from past CPD formats will be the introduction of internet access to the presidential town meeting debate. Questions solicited by Internet will be included with those from citizens on the stage with the candidates.

Kirk and Fahrenkopf said: "The Commission believes that by including questions from Internet participants, we will enhance and expand the effectiveness of the town meeting debate. This technique has been employed in different ways during many of the primary debates. We will continue to learn from its use in the primary season, and we intend to consult with experts in information technology who can help us integrate it into a general election town meeting in a manner consistent with our non-partisan charter."

The Commission also released the 2008 Candidate Selection Criteria which will be used to determine who is invited to participate in the general election debates. In addition to being constitutionally eligible, candidates must appear on a sufficient number of state ballots to have a mathematical chance of winning a majority vote of the electoral college, and have 15% support in national polls before the debates.

The Gallup Organization will advise the CPD in the application of its criteria to polling data as it did in 2000 and 2004. View the 2008 Candidate Selection Criteria.

The co-chairmen noted that moderators for the four debates would be chosen in the summer of 2008.

The CPD was established in 1987 and sponsored all presidential and vice presidential debates in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004.

John McCain, Cindy McCain, Miss Buffalo Chip T-Shirt

John McCain, Cindy McCain, Miss Buffalo Chip , originally uploaded by thisiswar3005.

As you may know, Senator John McCain made headline today because he suggested that his wife try out to be "Miss Buffalo Chip" before 50,000 bikers at the Sturgis Biker Rally in South Dakota. Here's my video take on it:

I read somewhere that McCain didn't know "Miss Buffalo Chip" was a topless contest, but this photo shows that it's possible both he and Cindy saw the t-shirt at the right, which features a topless woman. This was taken before his speech and the gaffe, so even if both of them knew it, I don't think Cindy had any idea Senator McCain was going to offer her as a crowd-pleasing contestant. The author of the blog "DoubleTalk Express" asks if McCain is sexist? Ya think?

McCain "The One" Ad Focus Of Controversy, Petition

A group called "Matthew25" after a bible verse, is not happy with the "White Christian Male" John McCain. Here's why:

As Christians, we are deeply troubled by the John McCain campaign's latest ad entitled "The One.” This ad, which was released on the web last Friday, portrays Senator Obama as some kind of would-be Messiah and implies that those who support him are cultish followers looking for a new Savior.

Even more troubling, many view the ad as a dark attempt to portray Senator Obama as an anti-Christ figure. View the ad here.

This is the video:



This is the text of the petition:

Senator McCain,

As fellow Christians, we are deeply troubled by your campaign's latest ad entitled "The One,” which portrays Senator Obama as some kind of would-be Messiah and implies that those who support him are cultish followers looking for a new Savior.

We find it beyond offensive for you to piece together out-of-context video snippets to suggest that Senator Obama is a false Messiah or the anti-Christ, especially in light of Senator Obama’s open and humble confession of Christian faith.

Instead of seeking to inspire false fears, we would prefer you speak more positively about how your own faith would guide you in leading this country.

We trust that this desperate and insulting campaign tactic is not an indication of your true character, and we call on you to repudiate this ad and take it down immediately.

Sincerely,

John McCain Protects White Male Power Structure & Miss Buffalo Chip

Senator and GOP Presidential Candidate John McCain appeared on Bill O'Reilly's show and let O'Reilly do the talking, and then agreed with him. This is what was said:

Bill O'Reilly: But do you understand what the New York Times wants, and the far-left want? They want to break down the white, Christian, male power structure, which you're a part, and so am I, and they want to bring in millions of foreign nationals to basically break down the structure that we have. In that regard, Pat Buchanan is right. So I say you've got to cap with ahttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif number.

John McCain: In America today we've got a very strong economy and low unemployment, so we need addition farm workers, including by the way agriculture, but there may come a time where we have an economic downturn, and we don't need so many.

[crosstalk]

O'Reilly: But in this bill, you guys have got to cap it. Because estimation is 12 million, there may be 20 [million]. You don't know, I don't know. We've got to cap it.

McCain: We do, we do. I agree with you.

Geez...

Then,on August 4th, my birthday, John McCain stuck his foot in his mouth again. You're not going to believe this, but Senator John McCain, speaking at the annual biker convention the Sturgis Bike Rally said

"I was looking at the Sturgis schedule and noticed that you have a beauty pageant and so I encouraged Cindy to compete," McCain said to cheers from the (mostly male) crowd. "With a little luck, she could be on the only woman ever to serve as both the first lady and Miss Buffalo Chip."

CNN's Wolf Blizer Not Showing McCain "Miss Buffalo Chip" Comment

I'm watching CNN's the Situation Room, and Wolf Blitzer's showing John McCain's speech before the Sturgis Biker event, but not the part where he offers his wife as a contestant in the "Miss Buffalo Chip" contest. That's the real news and they're covering for John McCain. That's totally wrong!

John McCain Offers Wife For "Miss Buffalo Chip" Topless Beauty Contest

John McCain Offers Wife For "Miss Buffalo Chip" Topless Beauty Contest

(No, that's not her)

You're not going to believe this, but Senator John McCain, speaking at the annual biker convention the Sturgis Bike Rally said

“I was looking at the Sturgis schedule and noticed that you have a beauty pageant and so I encouraged Cindy to compete,” McCain said to cheers from the (mostly male) crowd. “With a little luck, she could be on the only woman ever to serve as both the first lady and Miss Buffalo Chip.”

You don't believe it? See this video; it's all there:



What is so troubling is that this is the first time in my life, I've seen the role of first lady be reduced -- REDUCED -- to that of topless beauty model. That's what the Miss Buffalo Chip contest is about.

It's an insult to anyone with a level head. It's an insult to the inititution of the President of The United States, and an insult to all American ideals.

Senator McCain should appologize to his wife and America. Moreover, I can't believe Cindy McCain just stood there and waved her hand to the crowd.

Oh, and then the crowd yells "Show us your boobs!" It's in the video!

I can't believe I'm writing this. But it happened. What a disgrace.