My take on the debate:
Bush seemed tired and unengaged, yet clear on what he wants to do. He slumped against the podium way too much. Somewhat repetitive, which eventually sounded pre-programmed. Camera caught him looking plainy irritated and contemptuous of Kerry. He didn't use the prism of 9/11, which was a big mistake. He should have framed every answer with a reminder of what the evil-doers did on 9/11. I'd give him a B-.
Kerry: More Clintonesque in his ability (and willingness) to lie and distort Bush's record. I think their strategy was pre-planned, too: tell so many lies that Bush will have to choose between countering them or sticking to his message (Bush chose the latter). Kerry was Un-Clintonesque in personal appeal to the great unwashed. But he came across as a serious contender and that will help him (if nothing else his base is fired up again). From the probably viewpoint of a voter following this race from the periphery: I'd give Kerry and A-.
If nothing else, Bush now has to be at the top of his game for the domestic policy debate. A wake up call.
GWB's slumping surprized me, he looked drained from time to time. The Bush campaign is saying this morning that GWB was emotionally drained from his visit with hurricane victims. I don't know whether that's an attempt at getting some sympathy from FL voters or he was just plain tired.
It must be an act of incredible strength to stand in the same room with Effin', a horrible man that will say or do anything to achieve his political goals. Knowing what I know about GWB, can't imagine he suffers opportunists well. It showed, it probably shouldn't have. But I've also read some accounts this morning from observers (undecideds) that think Kerry was an arrogant prick. Don't forget, Kerry also made many gaffes, the media is ignoring those for the most part and concentrating on how great Kerry didn't bomb. Here's where the fishy part comes in.
Many Freepers were convinced last night that Leher gave Kerry the questions ahead of time, they thought he was way too smooth with his answers. Contrasting last night's smoothness with the clumsy answers he gave in the Diane Sawyer interview. I have no opinion on whether Leher cheated but it did seem lop sided.
The other fishy part; last night MSNBC was supposed to have Frank Luntz with his turn dial reaction poll of undecideds. He never appeared nor did his segment. Why? Too many undecideds thought GWB was better? Now this morning MSNBC has four undecideds on and two of them were supposed to be republicans. They thought Kerry was magnificent. Their reasons stunk to high heaven and weren't even close to what a republican, who say they voted for Bush in 2000, would be thinking. One (didn't catch party affiliation) was so stupid she didn't understand why they didn't talk at all about healthcare. *oh my head hurts* And then all the website polls,,, all with Kerry in an overwhelming lead regarding who won the debate.
There were lots and lots of incorrect or impossible statements Kerry made last night (like the NK story I posted to mountaineer above) and the MSM is working extra hard to keep those gaffes under wraps. All things considered, it's a bit gamy at the networks this morning. And Joe Lockhart has his 'deer caught in the headlights look' going on again. I remember that look, it's the one he had every day when he would face the DC press corps and keep clinton's lie alive.
Could very well be a wake up call, then I remember how GWB loves strategery. :-)
This story could be a Kerry sinker, if it ever makes it to the light of day...
S.D. school crisis plan is found on disk in Iraq
A man arrested by U.S. authorities in Iraq had a computer disk in his possession containing a public report downloaded from a U.S. Department of Education Web site on crisis planning in school districts, including San Diego Unified.
The man was described as an Iraqi national with connections to terrorism and the insurgency that is fighting U.S. forces in Iraq. Officials in San Diego said the man's intentions were unknown.
Hmmmm, wonder what that terrorists intentions were? That school terror scenario you gave a while back, it could be closer than we think.
my guess is the slumping was merely an anger reaction. you could see it in his face also & it started about 10 seconds into K's first response. Face tightened & he leaned forward & gripped the podium.. I think he leaned forward gripped that baby like mad. Anger control.
But you are right . He was fatigued & made a choice of visiting storm victims or resting up.