Presidential Debate: The Rules

Today President Bush and Senator Kerry have their first of three "debates". But unfortunately the televised encounter has nothing to do with a debate - it is rather a "dual press conference". Representatives of both campaigns negotiated for weeks over the rules designed to limit the potential for disasters that have befallen candidates in previous debates. A 32-pages memorandum lays out the guidlines. Some exemples:
- An interviewer asks questions, and each candidate will be given two minutes to answer and allowed 90 seconds for a rebuttal. Visible warning lights to indicate when the candidates had gone over their allotted speaking time.
- The candidates can not ask each other direct questions (except rhetorical questions) and are also not allowed to address each other with proposed pledges.
- Follow-up questions and rebuttals will be restricted.
- References or citing any specific individual sitting in a debate audience is not allowed.
- The candidates can not approach other and have to stay at the designated spot behind the lecterns.
- At the insistence of the Bush team, the lecterns will be 10ft (3m) apart and just 4ft (1.25m) high so that Mr Kerry (who is 13cm taller) would not appear to tower over the president.
- No props, notes, charts, diagrams or other writings or other "tangible things" can be used.
- Taking notes during the debate is allowed, but the pens and paper used by the candidate have to be 'inspected' by the debate commission.
- The TV networks are not allowed to air opponent's reaction during a candidate's response and are limited to the candidate speaking.
- The debate room has to have an "appropriate temperature according to industry standards". Kerry's request to have the air conditioning on was refused ("He's a sweater", a GOP official said' "and women don't like sweaters.").
- The good news: Each candidate can choose his own makeup artist.