If Buchanan debates, so does Nader. And Gore will fight to the end to prevent that. So, the consumer advocate once lionized by liberals is now a target of the Democratic establishment. They belittle Nader, question his motives, ask where he will find enough money for television and will fight to the end to keep him off that debate stage. They are so smug about Gore's debating skills that they count on him to blow away Bush as he did Ross Perot, Jack Kemp and Bill Bradley.
Republicans are uneasy.
While party leaders have nothing but admiration for Bush's Austin-based campaign, they worry that the candidate's communicative skills remain unpolished. Accordingly, one pillar of the GOP told me Bush's preference for a four-man debate had him worried. He acknowledged the governor's attitude might indicate a generous spirit or a shrewd strategy. Worry has been expressed in party circles that Bush is not getting himself ready for the Gore debate onslaught and might follow Kemp's example of unpreparedness. Bush has to be ready, because Pat and Ralph won't be around to deflect fire.