Debate rules

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Nym90:

(CNN) -- Here are highlights of some of the rules laid out in the 32-page agreement on the three presidential debates ahead of the November election.





No television camera shots from behind the candidates and no cutaway shots of candidates who are not answering questions.





Other than a handshake at the start of the debates, the candidates are not to approach each other.





No props, notes, charts, diagrams or other writings can be used by the candidates; however, they can take notes on the type of paper of their choosing.





The candidates cannot ask each other direct questions, but can ask rhetorical questions.





The candidates cannot address each other with proposed pledges.





Each candidate can use his own makeup artist.





No candidate is allowed to use risers or any other device to make them look taller.





The Coin Toss: At least 72 hours before the first debate, there will be a coin toss on the order of questioning and closing arguments. The winner gets to choose whether to take the first or second question, or whether to give the first or second closing statement. The coin-toss loser then chooses his preference of question order or closing statement order not exercised by the winner of the coin toss. For the next debate, the coin-toss loser gets to pick first. There will be a separate coin toss for the final debate.





Another coin toss will determine stage positions of the candidates.





There will be at least 16 questions. A candidate gets two minutes to respond to a question; the other candidate gets 1 1/2 minutes to comment on the question or to respond to his rival's answer. A moderator can use his/her discretion on whether to extend the discussion by 60 seconds.





For the second debate, which has a town-hall forum, the audience members submit questions to the moderator, who then approves which audience members get to participate. If audience members stray from their questions, the moderator is to cut them off.





Other than Secret Service personnel and the president's doctor and military aide, each candidate is allowed to have only one pre-designated staff member in the wings or the immediate backstage area.

ATFFL:

In order, which side supported the idea.



(Shots frm behind and cutaway) Both.



(Approach) Bush, no opposition from Kerry.



(Props) Both



(No questions or pledges) Both.



(Makeup) Both



(No risers) Kerry



(Coin Toss) Neither, this looks like it was haggled over for hours.



(Time) Both



(town hall questions) Bush. This was probably negotiated in exchange for the riser.



(Advisors) Kerry, no opposition from Bush.

badnarikin04:

Debate Rules....



1. DO NOT AD-LIB OUTSIDE THE SCRIPT!!!!!!



2. Audience members who fail to show support for either side in attempt to dismantle the mighty Republicrat regime should be shot secretly and thrown in a mass grave in an undisclosed location.



3. The debates shall be played live BUT with a 30 second tape delay for editing purposes



4. Any attempt to divert from this years subject matter, "30 Years Ago", will result in suspension from the premises.

Akno21:

Personally, I think there should a lot of debates, more like 10 than 3. Debates are crucial, and should not be limited.



I think candidates should not know the questions whatsoever, so they can't just be endlessly prepped.

Keystone Phil:

As long as there is atleast one debate with podiums, I'm happy. :) It just seems more Presidential.



Also, I'm pleased to see that there will be no table debates with each candidate at a table with the moderator. In my opinion, the Bush-Gore sit down debate was the most boring debate of the 2000 election.

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