Presidential Debates Predictions

[NYGOP]

I am going to go with Bush 2, Kerry 1.

Kerry can't take Bush on when it comes to defense, because Bush owns that topic. If Kerry goes after Bush then he assumes a Dean style role, which will just cost him votes.

Kerry can take Bush on with the economy, but Bush will be able to counter his claims and soften the blows.

Bush has Kerry's record on his side.

I don't think Bush will win all three though. He's bound to have an off night.

[raggage]

I am going to go with Bush 2, Kerry 1.

Kerry can't take Bush on when it comes to defense, because Bush owns that topic. If Kerry goes after Bush then he assumes a Dean style role, which will just cost him votes.

Kerry can take Bush on with the economy, but Bush will be able to counter his claims and soften the blows.

Bush has Kerry's record on his side.

I don't think Bush will win all three though. He's bound to have an off night.

Kerry 2, Bush 1.

What do you mean by "Bush has Kerry's record on his side", are you referring to his voting record, his military record or what?

[NYGOP]

His voting record. I couldn't imagine Bush attacking Kerry's military record, that would have disatrous consequences.

His voting record is terrible. If more Americans actually looked at it we would be looking at a 6 point Bush victory!

Bush has excuses for his record in office, even if they aren't accurate. Kerry has no excuses for his votes.

[Felix]

All three for Bush!

[cwelsch]

I say 3 for Bush, mostly because I have such low opinions of Kerry.

[A18]

I would normally expect Kerry to beat him, but because I think Kerry will come off as a bit stiff, I think Bush will win all three.

[stry_cat]

The Media will proclaim Kerry the winner of all 3 debates and then produce some polls to show Kerry is suddenly ahead.  Anyone actually watching the debates will probably think Bush wins at least 2 of the 3.

[DA]

I think the audience is going to lose in every circumstance. It's just a bipartisan infomercial.

Edit: To put an emphasis on bipartisan as opposed to multipartisan or omnipartisan.

[Akno21]

His voting record. I couldn't imagine Bush attacking Kerry's military record, that would have disatrous consequences.

His voting record is terrible. If more Americans actually looked at it we would be looking at a 6 point Bush victory!

Bush has excuses for his record in office, even if they aren't accurate. Kerry has no excuses for his votes.

Many of the defense cuts Kerry voted for were supported by many other Republicans, including Bush's father. I think Kerry will actually win the debates, but Bush will have better talking points, and will be the percieved winner.

[AuH2O]

Bush 2, Kerry 1.

Bush will win the ways that matter; he will have some good quips (pre-prepared of course), come off as more 'normal,' more likeable, etc.-- in other words, reinforce existing thoughts on the race.

I say he will lose 1 just to be on the safe side... either the 2nd or 3rd could go Kerry's way IF Bush gets dragged into Kerry's doldrums (i.e. small details, with Kerry shifting the topic and evading questions).

If the moderators make the candidates answer the questions precisely and fully, Bush will win all 3. Though I'm not clear on how the Town Hall will work.

[Platypus]

America needs the worm.

[Citizen James]

As there is no formal ;scoring' method to debates, who wins will be a matter of personal opinion for the viewer.  The closest I can see to a 'win' would be signifigant movement in the polls one way or another (whether or not it is actually related)

I predict both sides will claim to have won, and that the race will continue to be painfully close and hard fought.

[badnarikin04]

This is like asking "Who's going to win the WWE title"

I can tell you who's going to win right now by going to CBS or whoever and STEALING THE DAMN SCRIPT!!!! It's easy as that.

[A18]

Yes. The campaigns would definitely go along with a script that had the other guy winning.

[opebo]

America needs the worm.

This sounds really interesting, but I don't know what you mean.

[ATFFL]

IF - Kerry goes out and babbles incoherently for 90 minutes:

jfern will come online and say he was trying to out stupid Bush and appeal to stupid, i.e. Republican, voters.

mddem will point out how Kerry toned down his speech to not appear to high minded.  Then he will log off and quietly weep in the corner.

freedomeburns will claim that the Bush camp drugged Kerry to make him look bad.

IF - Bush goes out and babbles like an idiot for 90 minutes:

jmfcst will say that he was channeling the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.

statesrights will claim that he was using his downhome folksy charm to appeal to voters.

I will read whatever mddem writes before logging off to go weep quietly in the corner.

[A18]

Both sides will think their guy won the debate

[cwelsch]

I don't think my guy will win.