So I’ve been thinking about Rob Garver’s recommendations for the Commission on Presidential Debates (which I quoted here). While I agree completely with Garver, I really doubt the CPD would ever do something as bold as having a one-sided debate, expecially if the proposal looks like a partisan attack. But that shouldn’t stop Kerry from taking the idea.

If Bush chickens out of the second debate, Kerry should pick up the bill and hold the townhall-style meeting in St. Louis alone. Instead of fielding questions from undecided voters, he should up the ante by inviting prominent conservatives to ask any question they want. While Bush hides from the American people, Kerry can hold his primetime “Tough Questions” event and answer questions from conservative heavyweights like :

Tucker Carlson

Pat Buchanan

Bill Bennett

Ralph Reed

Bill Kristol

Newt Gingrich

David Frum

Andrew Sullivan

While the Kerry campaign might have a hard time getting conservatives to sign on and news channels to show it, its placement between the two major debates would ensure some coverage and participation. The beauty of this strategy is that even if Kerry does a mediocre job in his “Tough Questions” forum, he can use his willingness to walk into a political lion’s den as a way to show voters what a big baby Bush is.