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.
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."
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!!!!!
I laughed out loud when I heard this. I hope Rush or Sean play it over and over. Kind of reminds me of "I don't fall down".