You definitely held your own :) You scored several good points--when you countered Barron's "you don't speak for our people" comment with a riposte at Jackson; when you got Colmes to concede Jackson's comment was over the top; when you countered the "no WMD" charge by bringing up the planes buried in the desert; and when you drew the Japan analogy ("Hiroshima" notwithstanding, LOL!--I blanked like that once during a dissertation rehearsal, so I know how that feels :) The biggest challenge I thought you faced was being attacked by a hostile cohost and guest who tried to pre-empt genuine discussion by talking over you and changing the subject from Jackson to Iraq/Bush. Unfortunately most talk shows are run that way and they bring on flamboyant guests who talk over people and dodge issues like that. IMO some keys to counter that are to remain calm under fire, as you did; to rehearse putting your key points into soundbytes to make sure they get heard and not drowned out; to go on the offensive when an opportunity to make your key points presents itself (as you did when you drove the Japan analogy into Barron's court--I think this was perhaps the strongest point of your presentation); and to rehearse your counterattacks for the types of ambushes Colmes and Barron aimed at you. Colmes came across as a tougher debating opponent than Barron, I thought, because Barron was so obviously obnoxious and rude, whereas Colmes was able to maintain a facade of civility by distancing himself from Jackson's comments before attacking you; however you were able to capitalize on that by getting him to concede Jackson's comments were over the line, so you countered that effectively. In that exchange you scored a point on Colmes himself, so I'd definitely say you held your own, IMO.
You scored several good pointsThanks!
"Hiroshima" notwithstanding, LOL!--I blanked like that once during a dissertation rehearsal, so I know how that feels :)
Just damn! I hated that! I kicked myself all the way home over that one!
when you drove the Japan analogy into Barron's court--I think this was perhaps the strongest point of your presentation
My younger brother is a political fence-sitter who was truly impressed by me last night. He's probably the best Constitutional scholar that I know (rivaling many doctoral candidates, IMO); and volunteered to help coach me on some of those points. He was truly impressed with the Japanese infrastructure concept, and said it made Barron look like a total lunatic.
Colmes came across as a tougher debating opponent than Barron
Agreed. Colmes was able to drive the conversation and take the wheel from me -- and had to, lest his buddy Barron get beaten completely into submision. By going to Iraq, where I was unprepared to go, he rattled my cage (and I WAS rattled, even if it didn't show).
however you were able to capitalize on that by getting him to concede Jackson's comments were over the line, so you countered that effectively. In that exchange you scored a point on Colmes himself, so I'd definitely say you held your own, IMO.
That was something I hadn't thought about. Thanks!