[pabianice]

That Lehrer failed to ask Kerry about his 20 years of cutting weapons systems and US intelligence was inexcusable. Bush's agreeing to him as moderator was a big mistake.

[Principled]

FROM THE GET-GO IT WAS ATTACK BUSH. Ooops /caps off....

Anyway, Bush was always having to defend his actions - the questions contained an assumption of wrongdoing...

"So President Bush, when did you stop beating your wife?"

[fooman]

I was ignored when I pointed this out. Bush gave too many debates...

[MplsSteve]

I've posted the same thing before.

In 2008, the GOP staffers negotiating the debates have got to lay their foot down and say NO to certain moderators like Jim Lehrer.

This is the first step to having a true non-partisan debate.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

That Lehrer failed to ask Kerry about his 20 years of cutting weapons systems and US intelligence was inexcusable. Bush's agreeing to him as moderator was a big mistake.

Exactly.

[no dems]

That Lehrer failed to ask Kerry about his 20 years of cutting weapons systems and US intelligence was inexcusable. I was disappointed that The Prez didn't bring this up. He just wasn't on his best game last night. Rest assured, he will be rested and prepared next Friday night. He might not kick butt but he will do better. I think the BC/04 camp underestimated a man who's a silver-tongued lawyer and spent 20 years debating in the Senate.

[michigander]

That Lehrer failed to ask Kerry about his 20 years of cutting weapons systems and US intelligence was inexcusable.

I feel that was the largest missed opportunity for Bush.

When Kerry was remarking about bunker-busting nuclear weapons and how he would "shut that program down", I was hoping Bush would come back and say something like:

'I'm not surprised my opponent would want to shut down that weapons program. Ever since he was elected to the senate he's been wanting to shut down weapons programs. In fact he wanted to shut down nearly every advanced weapon and delivery system program we've used for over a decade.'

He could have then gone down the list and asked 'My fellow Americans, try to imagine where this country would be now if our past leaders had followed my opponents advice?'

[montag813]

That Lehrer failed to ask Kerry about his 20 years of cutting weapons systems and US intelligence was inexcusable. Bush's agreeing to him as moderator was a big mistake.

This is all B.S. If Lehrer doesn't ask it then BUSH MUST BRING IT UP HIMSELF. Blaming the moderator is childish. Bush had ample opportunity to mention Kerry's Senate record and chose not to. If Karen Hughes didn't tell Bush to keep Kerry on the defensive all night, then she failed in her prep role. Bush blew it by allowing Kerry to lie about N. Korea, Kyoto, and many other issues. I don't know why this happened, but I know Bush, and I expect a strong performance by him in Debate #2.