Gore has accepted the plan. Bush has not. The Bush campaign has refused to even meet with the Presidential Commission to discuss the issue. Because the Bush campaign is trying to shield their weak candidate from real debates in front of the American people. As citizens, we have to take stock of this moment for what it is a major party candidate vying for the most important job in the world is cynically trying to avoid debating his opponent in front of the American people.
Debates are a critical part of the election process.
They allow the American people to see and hear the candidates lay out their visions and address tough issues just as they will have to do once in office. It would not be a stretch to say that Bush s effort to avoid the debates should disqualify Bush from serious consideration for this important job. Having the first two debates in September will mean that fewer Americans get to see them as there is simply not enough time to promote them adequately and voter attention grows as the election nears. Twice in the last several weeks Bush has made serious factual errors in describing his own economic plan. Once the campaign had to issue clarifications and corrections after his remarks.