FYI:Kerry accepts proposed debate schedule

[mrbowler]

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Kerry-Edwards campaign has accepted a schedule for three presidential debates and one vice- presidential debate, the campaign announced Thursday.

The Commission on Presidential Debates needs to hear whether the Bush-Cheney campaign will accept the same proposed dates before the schedule is approved.

Then the commission will turn to topics and formats for the debate.

Steve Schmidt, spokesman for the Bush-Cheney campaign, would not say when a decision might be reached on the schedule.

"We look forward to a vigorous debate with the Kerry campaign on the issues. We welcome the opportunity to discuss the terms at the appropriate time," Schmidt said.

In making the announcement Thursday, the Democrats again contrasted the two campaigns and said the difference will be clear during the debates.

"Voters will see the fundamental choice in this campaign -- between the Kerry-Edwards' optimistic vision to build a stronger America and the failed Bush-Cheney record that has divided America and made us less safe," the campaign said in a statement.

Presidential debates became a routine part of general elections in 1976, following a 16-year gap after Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy participated in four televised debates.

The nonprofit, nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates was established in 1987 to provide voters "the best possible information," according to its Web site.

The commission facilitates negotiations between every involved party to determine the schedule, format and rules.

[luvmetender]

Oh, I can't WAIT for the debates. Just think... Bush trying to speak coherantly without a typed speech in front of him

[bobbcat]

I would not bet on that if I were you.

[luvmetender]

come on bobbcat... I'm the one who predicted the kerry/edwards campaign back in january

[mayfly]

It will be nice to finally hear what he believes in. I hope they record it since he has such an extensive flip-flop record.

[mrbowler]

Both of them are flip-floppers.

Just do a search for Bush Flip Flop or Kerry Flip Flop or something along those lines.

[luvmetender]

Originally Posted by mrbowler

Both of them are flip-floppers.

Just do a search for Bush Flip Flop or Kerry Flip Flop or something along those lines.

so true! and I certainly would hope that politicians are able to change their minds as circumstances change.

[crazytimes]

Well I want someone to ask them what their plan to fix Social Security it! Let's see how they respond to THAT! Heck, I'll ask the question and I'll back it up with facts.

I'd like to know when Bush is planning to implement his Social Security plan (that he's had for 4 years and done nothing about) and what Kerry's plan IS, since you can't find it anywhere on his website!

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by crazytimes

Well I want someone to ask them what their plan to fix Social Security it! Let's see how they respond to THAT! Heck, I'll ask the question and I'll back it up with facts.

I'd like to know when Bush is planning to implement his Social Security plan (that he's had for 4 years and done nothing about) and what Kerry's plan IS, since you can't find it anywhere on his website!

Don't hold my feet to the fire on this, but here is some info.


Senator Bob Kerry (D-Neb.) has proposed a plan to mandate savings for many American families as a way to take the pressure off Social Security. Here's how it would work:


The plan would cut the employees' payroll tax rate by 2 percentage points, but require that the money be put into a personal retirement account controlled by the employee.

In addition, one percent of payroll taxes collected each year -- about $4 billion -- would be used to open $1,000 accounts for the approximately 4 million children born every year.


The government would extend the $500-per-child tax credit to 20 million poorer children who didn't get it in the budget bill, as long as the money is placed in the child's investment account for five years.

Kerry would pay for the plan by lowering Social Security cost-of-living increases and phasing in higher retirement ages.

Assuming a return of 8.5 percent, Americans born today would accumulate more than $1 million by the time they turn 65.

[luvmetender]

Originally Posted by mrbowler

Assuming a return of 8.5 percent, Americans born today would accumulate more than $1 million by the time they turn 65.

8.5% seems a bit optimistic!

[mayor]

Originally Posted by luvmetender

come on bobbcat... I'm the one who predicted the kerry/edwards campaign back in january

Ah yes, our resident political analyst called it! Um, this wasn't a tough call. Who was he going to pick? Gephardt? Dean? The odds were with Edwards for a very long time. It was assumed that Kerry would pick someone with charisma to balance his complete lack of the characteristic. Someone that the simple-minded could like just because he looks nice and speaks in complete sentences. Meanwhile, North Carolina DISLIKES him. Have to wonder why. could it be for the same reasons that Tennessee couldn't wait to get rid of Gore? Hmmm?

Mayor

[mayor]

Originally Posted by luvmetender

Oh, I can't WAIT for the debates. Just think... Bush trying to speak coherantly without a typed speech in front of him

LOL, o' ye of short term memory loss. They said that Gore was going to make mincemeat of Bush in the 2000 debates. Didn't happen. Gore lost all three of them.

See, the problem is, you still think Bush is stupid. Talk about reading from a typed speech. The irony of it all.

[bobbcat]

Read the bios again, folks. Bush got an MBA from Harvard; Gore failed out of seminary. Read up on it.

The 2000 election: multiple vote recounts that took place in FL in the wake of the US SC decision yielded Bush as the winner. This was after hanging chads and all. Read up on that.

I predicted though that Bush would have to slog through an endless field of barbs, attacks, lies, and distortions throughout the entirety of his first term way back when all the controversy surrounding the 2000 election was unfolding.

It will be a relief to see him win a more resounding victory this fall; but something tells me he will never escape the aftermath of the controversy that surrounded his initial election to office. It has been amazing to see how well he has weathered it all. Only a man of great strength and true character could withstand such a thing.

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by luvmetender

8.5% seems a bit optimistic!

The average long-run return on stock markets has been very stable in the past century. The average return has been about 6 %-points above the return of long risk-free bond. (With the current interest rates this means about 11% per annum.)

<not sure what date this above statement was made, but it's point was made>



I did read a article which went back into the 1800's, and the return was 7%. This would be for investments in S&P type stocks-so if you throw in some smaller stock I believe the number could be achieved. JMO

[mrbowler]

Originally Posted by crazytimes

Well I want someone to ask them what their plan to fix Social Security it! Let's see how they respond to THAT! Heck, I'll ask the question and I'll back it up with facts.

I'd like to know when Bush is planning to implement his Social Security plan (that he's had for 4 years and done nothing about) and what Kerry's plan IS, since you can't find it anywhere on his website!

Here's just the blah blah on John Kerry's Site: Maybe he will incorporate some of Bob Kerry's Ideas that I listed.

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