Debate Rules, Kerry's Reputation

Two more pieces from the NY Times (in .pdf format).

First, a primer on the rules for tonight's debate:

Big Battle's Ground Rules: "When President Bush and Senator John Kerry face off for 90 minutes tonight, neither will be allowed to step from behind his lectern at any time. Nor will they be allowed to pose questions directly to each other, though they can pose rhetorical questions that may cry for answers just the same. They cannot approach one another with 'proposed pledges,' like 'Let's stop all negative advertising right now.' They may not single out any member of the audience, as they might on the stump, as the living embodiment of a failed or successful policy."

Plus a story about Kerry's "excellent closer" reputation:

A Fast Finisher's Reputation Now Faces the Ultimate Test: "In 1996, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts was struggling to keep his job in the face of a stiff challenge by his state's popular, aw-shucks Republican governor, William F. Weld, when midway through a series of televised debates, he began a confession that suddenly became a boast."