Who needs televised debates? Presidential candidate George W. Bush used to feel the American public didn't need prime-time televised debates. However, suddenly he's changed his mind and Presidential candidates Bush and Al Gore will be participating in three debates on college campuses in Boston, Winston-Salem, and St. Louis throughout October.
             George W. Bush used to be interested in typical Sunday Morning talk show debates, while Al Gore was more interested in traditional "podium-style" formats. The Gore campaign has accused Bush of trying to get out of traditional podium debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates in favor of a lower-ratings format like Sunday talk shows. The Gore campaign say any Sunday talk show debates must be in addition to the traditional podium debates.
             Who could have ever imagined there would be such a debate over having an actual debate? There's a rich history to pre-debate negotiations, since all sides understand that many voters take their first, and last, look at presidential candidates during debates. That's why both sides fight for the most advantageous setting and schedule. For example, Michael Dukakis, trailing in the polls and desperate for a break, got only one concession from Bush's father in 1988: a lectern to make him look taller. Additionally, in 1996, Bob Dole's team demanded an audience dress code, figuring that the older contender would do better in a more formal setting. Team Clinton balked. Moreover, in 1992, Bill Clinton finished off incumbent President George Bush, most observers agree, in a free-flowing "town hall" style debate that suited his extemporaneous style well.
             Perhaps, in this debate over having a debate, the real issue deals with experience. Candidate Al Gore is considered to be a skilled debater, although George W. Bush is considered to be more comfortable in a conversational setting. This strong point of Bush's could be why h...