Posted on: Thursday, September 30, 2004

EDITORIAL
How to put oomph into tonight's debate

Tonight is the first of the presidential debates and it should be must-watch television for anyone concerned about the political process in our country.

(The networks and major cable stations will carry the debate live from 3 to 5 p.m. PBS will rebroadcast at 9 p.m.)

Despite the enormous amount of prep time involved and the laughable set of debate rules, there still is potential for drama and surprise.

But to get that drama, the candidates must be pushed beyond their comfort zone.

Our friends at the Los Angeles Times have suggested the trick is to have Jim Lehrer, tonight's moderator, throw a few curve balls at the candidates to generate unrehearsed, unanticipated action.

To wit: Why is it, as John Kerry has acknowledged, does he have trouble deciding what to order in a restaurant? Or, does President Bush believe, as some Republicans are suggesting, that speaking French is for wimps?

You're right. It won't happen. But watch anyway. This is an important election.