Posted on 09/30/2004 10:11:14 PM PDT by Remember_Salamis
I've always thought that it's the one-liners and memorable phrases that really count, not "debate points", and I feel that Bush had some good ones. I think the best is the following regarding Kerry's call for more foreign troops in Iraq:
"So what's the message going to be: Please join us in Iraq? We're a grand diversion? Join us for a war that is the wrong war at the wrong place at the wrong time?"
-- Zing!
Anybody else have some good ones???
It's not memorable lines that count in debates. It's screwups.
The only memorable lines are either screwups or someone pointing out someone else's screwup.
Kerry was playing to win. Bush was playing not to lose. Hence, Kerry came off as mildly presidential and will excite his base. Bush came off as unremarkable, but didn't say anything stupid.
"Even though I just said we're overcommitted with our military and are spending too much for the war, I'm going to create two whole new divisions and send them to the Sudan, even though this has nothing to do, either, with the war on terrorism, or with what I've identified as the primary threat facing our country, nuclear proliferation within Russia.
"Wait. I changed my mind."
That is the line that has already made it into the AP story and the Washington Post. It was the one truly unscripted (or at least it seemed to be) line and the one real "ouch" moment IMO. Not huge, compared to "you're no JFK" bt not what Kerry needed to come from behind.
I say this after watching the '84 reagan-mondale foreign policy debate. Despite legend, Reagan didn't look fabulous the entire time. But he had some impressive hard-hitting lines.
A lot of people are comparing this to Reagan's first debate in 1984. But having a lousy debate performance does not make you an automatic shoo-in for the presidency.
Who's comparing it? I'd like to read their comments.
Perhaps it doesn't carry the political "zing" of the old "JFK" statement, but its message carries considerably more real-world weight.
BTW, I also liked how Bush flat-out told Kerry that his bilateral approach was, in no uncertain terms, very wrong.
I should say, "bilateral approach with North Korea".
Even though I just said we're overcommitted with our military and are spending too much for the war, I'm going to create two whole new divisions and send them to the Sudan"
Yup I kept saying: where will he find the people IF our troops are already overstretched.
More troops in Iraq, sounds like KERRRY IS BRINGING BACK THE DRAFT
Here are two great lines I wish Bush had said...
When Kerry complained about not getting more allies in Iraq, "We all wish more allies had decided to join us. But wishful thinking is not a policy".
When Kerry talked about Iraq being a diversion from Afghanistan, "which is where Al Qaeda is", "Twenty thousand terrorists trained at Al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan in the 1990s; they didn't stay there. They left to spread terror around the globe. Which is why we have to hunt them around the globe. Now many of them are going to Iraq. It's better to have them facing our soldiers there than Americans here at home."
Did you happen to catch the Presidents line
We'll do it with a ALL VOLUNTEER Army?
he slipped that one in pretty smooth
You know if you don't listen closely to what Kerry says he almost sounds convincing. He has such an authoritarian way about him. However, he is so convoluted that even he's not convinced yet of his position(s).
you are right.. how do you ask the last man in iraq to die for the wrong war at the place at the wrong time? come on Kerry tell me HOW you are so f***** smart tell us HOW!!!!!
"More troops in Iraq, sounds like KERRRY IS BRINGING BACK THE DRAFT"
Good point! I wonder if others saw it that way too.
Bush did fit in that we will still have a voluntary military, but he should have stuffed Kerry's "back door" draft statement down his throat. I hope America can see through Kerry's lies.
the best thing you can do is listen to Kerry REAL close, when you do you will hear him talk in circles, not making a whole lot of
Good lines, I too wished that he would have said them. Too late for the debate but maybe he still can still use them....powerfull
give em time maybe they will. but they never say through Clinton untill it was tooooo late.
Unfortunately, I think Kerry won the Korea Debate. Bush delved into convoluted terms and should have kept it simple. All he had to say was that North Korea lied and cheated for 8 years during "bilateral talks"; 6-party talks will keep nK more honest.
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