You want to ring the bell?

It seems that the Kerry camp made a key concession in agreeing to a debate format in which the candidates cannot directly question each other. But maybe this is not the advantage to Bush that it might seem. As a final pre-debate thought, consider how might this play to Kerry's advantage, especially with the proper preparation strategy. In such a circumstance, Kerry can be sure of the standard Bush responses to questions on Iraq, Mission Accomplished, and the threats faced at home and abroad. My question on the eve of the debate is therefore simple: do you think it possible that Kerry will attempt to script a "few knockout blows" right into his presentation? I can see a great clip of Bush rambling on about the state of the war in Iraq, and then Kerry following up with a line directed right to the swing voter in the TV audience, delivered with a tone both incredulous and down-to-earth, asking how Bush can be so naive about the truth. I would like more than anything to see Kerry fire his questions over top of Bush anyway. Each time Bush answers a question with a characteristic leap of logic that defies the current evidence, Kerry gently points out the error and then emphasizes the key problem with voting Bush back in - how can you vote to re-elect a guy who not only has put the country in a terrible mess, but actually BELIEVES EVERYTHING IS FINE AS IT IS? Remember the absurd Yakuza line: How can John Kerry fight the enemy if he doesn't even know who the enemy is? Well, how can George W. Bush be trusted to put this country back on the right track, when he doesn't even see that we are headed in the wrong direction? I see our problems, says Kerry, and you can trust that I will not rest until we find the solutions. The security of the American people is too important an issue to insist that no matter what, you are always right. Be the man, John. The Dress Rehearsal is over. Apollo and Rocky are about to enter the ring. Ding Ding.