# Bush v. Kerry, Round Three **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 13, 2004, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997 "2004-10-13T13:53:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NotWithoutRage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NotWithoutRage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotWithoutRage)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/1 "2004-10-13T13:53:30Z")
Bob Schieffer’s moderating tonight (perhaps we’ll FINALLY have a moderator who’s in charge?). Domestic issues only. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/2 "2004-10-13T13:59:15Z")
> [@NotWithoutRage](#): > > Domestic issues only. You wish. Domestic issues includes the war on terror which has become linked to the war in Iraq via the Pres and his statements. Bush will likely spend a lot of time on the war on terror as it is his strongest point and Kerry will slap back with the Iraq/War on Terror. I figure at best it will be as domestic as the town hall debate. Can we get some clear rules on the drinking game? I have to work early tomorrow and I would like to be sober. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![NotWithoutRage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NotWithoutRage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotWithoutRage)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/3 "2004-10-13T14:23:03Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > Can we get some clear rules on the drinking game? I have to work early tomorrow and I would like to be sober. 🙂 Bush asks Schieffer if he needs some wood - 1 drink Bush asks Kerry if he needs some wood - 1 drink Bush asks America if they need some wood - 2 drinks Bush actually produces a piece of wood - drink the bottle ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/4 "2004-10-13T15:04:31Z")
Any variation on “hard work” from Bush = big drink Any variation on Viet Nam from Kerry = big drink Every “mis-statement” from either one of them = little drink ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/5 "2004-10-13T15:13:22Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > You wish. Domestic issues includes the war on terror which has become linked to the war in Iraq via the Pres and his statements. Bush will likely spend a lot of time on the war on terror as it is his strongest point and Kerry will slap back with the Iraq/War on Terror. I figure at best it will be as domestic as the town hall debate. > > Can we get some clear rules on the drinking game? I have to work early tomorrow and I would like to be sober. 🙂 Good luck. I think you hit on the right idea already, at least for Bush. Bush mentions the war on terror = 1 drink. Kerry mentions that there was net job loss during Bush’s term = 1 drink. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/6 "2004-10-13T15:29:31Z")
I don’t know… Kerry hasn’t been mentioning Vietnam nearly as much since the Clinton advisors started steering his ship. In the first couple of debates he only mentioned it a few times. Bush won’t have much chance to mention his “hard work” talking points regarding Iraq. This debate focus is on domestic issues. They will vary from this a bit, but won’t be allowed to stray too far. My idea for a drinking game (considering the topic): Every time a candidate mentions the “middle class” take a drink. Every time a candidate mentions money take a drink. This includes “funding”, “taxes”, “spending”, etc. A drink shall be one ounce of liquid. There are 12 “drinks” in a beer. All viewers watch eachother. Cheaters must take a shot of whiskey. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/7 "2004-10-13T15:32:01Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > Every time a candidate mentions the “middle class” take a drink. Jaysus man. That alone is going to have you wasted by the end 😃 ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/8 "2004-10-13T15:33:14Z")
Should have added. I’ll be staying up till the early hours to watch it. I’ll be smokin’ rather than drinking so I’ll do a bong for every one of your drinks 😉 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/9 "2004-10-13T15:34:59Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > There are 12 “drinks” in a beer. I usually agree with you, **Debaser** , but I have to take strong exception here. There are NOT 12 “drinks” in a beer at my house. It’s either 1 shot (of the hard stuff) or a halfie of beer. If you really want to get loaded tonight, do a shot everytime Kerry says “I have a plan…” or Bush says “My opponent thinks/says/will…” ---
**Author:** ![NotWithoutRage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NotWithoutRage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotWithoutRage)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/10 "2004-10-13T15:44:40Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > I usually agree with you, **Debaser** , but I have to take strong exception here. There are NOT 12 “drinks” in a beer at my house. It’s either 1 shot (of the hard stuff) or a halfie of beer. > > If you really want to get loaded tonight, do a shot everytime Kerry says “I have a plan…” or Bush says “My opponent thinks/says/will…” Is the Daily Show still in reruns? We could drink every time Stewart says “I have a plan…” ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/11 "2004-10-13T15:53:02Z")
> [@yojimbo](#): > > > [@Debaser](#): > > > > Every time a candidate mentions the “middle class” take a drink. > > Jaysus man. That alone is going to have you wasted by the end Nah, if you’re really gonna go hardcore, take a drink whenever a candidate makes his point by using that hand gesture that looks like the ASL for the [letter “A”.](http://where.com/scott.net/asl/abc.html) ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/12 "2004-10-13T15:54:14Z")
I find the better way is to wait until MSNBC (or whomever you’re watching) comes up with their list of buzzwords and the amount of times each candidate said them, then chug the correct amount. That way, you’re sober for the actual debate but get slammed anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Malodorous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47774/32.png) [@Malodorous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malodorous)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/13 "2004-10-13T15:56:19Z")
Anytime Bush talks to somebody who isn’t there, drink. Anytime you find yourself wishing Howard Dean was up there so that at least the debates wouldn’t be so boring, drink Anytime you find yourself in awe of the fact that in a country of 300 million people, this is the best candidates the two parties could scrape up, weep softly to yourself, then drink ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/14 "2004-10-13T15:57:06Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > I usually agree with you, **Debaser** , but I have to take strong exception here. There are NOT 12 “drinks” in a beer at my house. It’s either 1 shot (of the hard stuff) or a halfie of beer. 1/2 beer at a time. 12 sips to a beer. Whatever. The important thing is that we both realize that the drinking needs to be measured in order to assure fairness. That way some lightweight can’t simply take teaspoon size sips to avoid drinking more than he should. 🙂 * * * New rule: Beer will be drank from cans only. Whenever Kerry says “win the peace” or Bush says “it’s going to be tough” everyone yells and throws empty cans at eachother. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/15 "2004-10-13T15:59:48Z")
New idea: You could play “Drink while Bush thinks!” You chug while Bush searches for his next word whenever there is a few seconds pause. (Warning: may result in hospitalization if Bush performs like he did in the first debate.) ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/16 "2004-10-13T16:00:42Z")
Win lose or draw, tonight is the very last time that Bush is going to listen to someone who disagrees with him. It will also be the last time that he answers hard questions. It will also be the last time, other than State of the Union addresses in the event that he wins, that he will appear before an audience that isn’t filtered to weed out unbelievers. Watch the debate, get drunk, then get sober and send him back to Texas. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/17 "2004-10-13T16:35:32Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Win lose or draw, tonight is the very last time that Bush is going to listen to someone who disagrees with him. It will also be the last time that he answers hard questions. It will also be the last time, other than State of the Union addresses in the event that he wins, that he will appear before an audience that isn’t filtered to weed out unbelievers. You’ve said it all. > [@](#): > > Watch the debate, get drunk, then get sober and send him back to Texas. Darn tootin’. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/18 "2004-10-13T16:48:07Z")
> [@NotWithoutRage](#): > > Bob Schieffer’s moderating tonight (perhaps we’ll FINALLY have a moderator who’s in charge?) I doubt he’ll be any more commanding than Gibson or Lehrer (and definitely not Gwen “I-said-thirty-seconds-biatch” Ifill). Did you see Schieffer on _The Daily Show?_ He was almost adorably nervous about the whole thing. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/19 "2004-10-13T16:55:16Z")
Has anyone looked at the transcripts for the last two debates and compared them to the drinking game rules in each thread to see who won or lost that way? I’m afraid that they’ll never use my idea (illustrated here [http://www.geocities.com/simthingd2/questionasked.jpg](http://www.geocities.com/simthingd2/questionasked.jpg) ) to show you on-screen the questions they asked of the debator. I’m not usually in favor of corporal punishment, but a little knuckle rapping to keep them on topic would be okay with me. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997/20 "2004-10-13T16:56:00Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > New idea: You could play “Drink while Bush thinks!” You chug while Bush searches for his next word whenever there is a few seconds pause. I like it! > [@MB](#): > > Gwen “I-said-thirty-seconds-biatch” Ifill Thanks for the laugh. That should go down in history as one of the great moments in presidential debates. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-v-kerry-round-three/268997.md?page=2)