VANITY - Debate Question

[Frank_Discussion]

I was unavoidably detained and unable to watch pretty much all of the debate, but I heard something that bothered me. From what I understand, the candidates were supposed to go to their podiums without cheatsheets and whatnot.

A family member said they distinctly remember watching Kerry take something out of his pocket and place it on the podium, and looked at it often during the debate. Did he bring a PDA or cheatsheet-thingie, against the rules?

[Frank_Discussion]

FWIW, it sounds like the debate was only so-so for each side. I was hoping for a Texas whoopin', so I'm expecting more from Dubya (and CHENEY) in the next set.

[So Cal Rocket]

Perhaps it was a mirror, so he could check to see if his lipstick was still on.

[no dems]

LOL !!

[COBOL2Java]

I was only listening to the debates, but someone on the Freeper discussion said that Kerry was furiously taking notes whenever Bush was talking. Wouldn't surprise me that the Frenchurian Candidate assumed the rules were for lesser beings.

[Unknown Freeper]

It was probably the list of questions he received ahead of time.

[modest proposal]

Yes he was taking notes and looking like an #ss while doing it. All "superior" and smug.. Why doesn't he move to france. They would love for him to replace chirac.

[no dems]

...it sounds like the debate was only so-so for each side. Hmmmm. Not really. Our guy looked tired and unprepared. His handlers need to tell him to get that silly look off of his face while Kerry is talking. Bless his heart; let's pray he does better next Friday night. But, remember, Friday night is High School football night across America. Last night was the biggie.

[Believe_In_The_Singularity]

I saw the President glance down at 'something' often as well. Based on this fact, I would be suprised if there was a rule against cheat sheets. But if there were, both sides definitely brought them anyway.

And, IMHO, It was only so-so if you didn't know that 90+% of what Kerry said was a complete lie. Otherwise, I'd have to give the advantage to Bush.

BITS

[b4its2late]

It was probably a picture of himself.

[no dems]

You know, I was hoping so badly that The Prez would look at Kerry and say: "Senator, why don't you run for Emperor of Europe?" That sound bite would have played for months.

[f zero]

save for later must review the tape

[devane617]

I have read none of the threads on the debate, but IMHO W blew it big-time in the debate. He appeared, aloof, his answers were short to the point of having nothing to say after a few seconds, he looked as if he would much rather be somewhere else.

W needs to work on his people skills before the next debate, because he really did not connect last night.

[Spunky]

I heard networks talking about this and they said The rules DID ALLOW them to take notes.

[sierrahome]

His pointed finger really bothered me. He would attempt to make a comment and point that boney finger...maybe he was checking on which way the wind was blowing

[Non-Sequitur]

I think a lot of rules went out the window. There weren't supposed to be direct questions to the other candidate and there were. There wasn't supposed to be camera cut-aways to the candidate not speaking and there were. So it wasn't as scripted as originally anticipated.

[COBOL2Java]

Yes he was taking notes and looking like an #ss while doing it. All "superior" and smug..

In his mind he was probably thinking of himself as a Swiss Finishing School Headmaster grading an unworthy student.

[Frank_Discussion]

"And, IMHO, It was only so-so if you didn't know that 90+% of what Kerry said was a complete lie. Otherwise, I'd have to give the advantage to Bush."

From what little I could watch and could read/talk about this morning I would say you're correct. I was inarticulate: I meant so-so presentation and first impression. Yes, Kerry was off-base a number of times I expect.

Our man needs to get a bit more rest before coming to a debate, and I think Rove and Co. need a little woodshed time for letting the President go on tired.

[Rebelbase]

I was a picture of Therayaaazah to remind him he'd better not lose or else she'll keep his balls in the divorce.

[Frank_Discussion]

"...Kerry was furiously taking notes whenever Bush was talking..."

Now that you mention it, I saw Dubya making notes, too, but maybe the notepads were already there for them?

[DustyMoment]

W needs to work on his people skills before the next debate, because he really did not connect last night.

W spent the day touring hurricane damaged areas of Florida and comforting people who have lost virtually everything to hurricanes. When you talk about people skills, compare the picture of Bush handing out hurricane relief supplies and hugging hurricane victims to Kerry's . . . . what has he done for the hurricane victims?

Strategically, it may have been a mistake for Bush, but tactically it was necessary. Floridians are getting the message that the Bush's care about them. Kerry has only made one carefully orchestrated photo-op tour of Florida's hurricane damage a few weeks after Charlie struck. The contrast between the two is stark and revealing.