Sanitized Debates

The presidential debate tomorrow night will be safe and sanitized. Bush and Kerry have the questions in advance. The topics are strictly limited to foreign policy and homeland security— issues Bush pretty much owns at this point.

As the Washington Post puts it, "No walking around the podium. No props, no prepared notes, no hidden risers. No TV 'reaction' shots of family or audience members, and no back-of-the-head camera angles..."

Bush's people and Kerry's people have been trying to lower expectations for their guy. If we expect too much, there's sure to be disappointment. For example, the Bush campaign communications director (Nicolle Devenish) said, "the president [has] far less experience debating than his opponent, who is essentially a career debater." Poor President Bush, huh.

The humor website BorowitzReport.com delightfully and falsely reports today that White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters, "The president is far, far less intelligent than is commonly thought. Even the simplest tasks remain well beyond his reach."

There. That lowers expectations magnificently, doesn't it.

Brad Messer commentary— KTSA.