Bush Campaign to Pick Baker as Debate Negotiator
Wed Sep 1, 2004 02:12 PM ET
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush's re-election campaign this week will appoint Bush family confidant James Baker to negotiate the details of campaign debates between Bush and Democrat John Kerry, Republican officials said on Wednesday.
The selection of Baker, who was Bush's lead representative in the Florida recount battle in 2000, came amid indications that Bush only wanted to agree to two debates with Kerry rather than three as proposed by the Commission on Presidential Debates.
Proceeding without formal agreement from the Bush campaign, the commission set debates beginning Sept. 30 in Coral Gables, Florida, with a second slated for Oct. 8 in St. Louis and a third Oct. 13 in Tempe, Arizona. A vice presidential debate between incumbent Dick Cheney and Kerry's running mate, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, was set for Oct. 5 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Republican officials said the Bush campaign would name Baker this week. Baker, a longtime friend and adviser to Bush's father, former President Bush, has served as White House chief of staff, treasury secretary and secretary of state.
Kerry's campaign has already designated Washington power broker Vernon Jordan as its lead debate negotiator.
Republicans expected the Bush campaign to push for two presidential debates and a vice presidential debate.
"Two debates are sufficient and will not dominate the entire fall schedule. Three debates would have a tendency to be a little overbearing on your campaign strategy and tactics," said Republican strategist Scott Reed.
Bush advisers have attempted to lower expectations for Bush in the televised face-offs, describing Kerry as a skilled debater. They used a similar tactic in 2000 and Bush was seen as the winner of debates with Democrat Al Gore.
