Posted on 08/14/2004 6:16:31 AM PDT by veronica
AMERICA was reintroduced this week to one of its most charming, gifted, relaxed, wily, plainspoken and ruthless politicians: George W Bush, the candidate.
If the US president loses his re-election bid on November 2 - a fate that is a real possibility - it will not be because he lacks the skills needed on the stump. Love him or loathe him, the past ten days have reminded voters and political journalists just what an effective campaigner Mr Bush is.
As he and John Kerry, his Democratic opponent, have engaged in the first intensive round of election-year combat, sparring with each other as they criss-crossed the country's battleground states, even Senator John Kerry's friends admit that Mr Bush has run rings around him.
At the same time, Mr Bush has donned a persona with crowds that has proved disarmingly effective all his political life: funny, down to earth, slightly humble, with an artfully simple message delivered in skilfully crafted short sentences. It is an image that deliberately hides a man with formidable political gifts and instinct.
Just 11 weeks before polling day, Mr Bush does not have the strongest of electoral hands. His job-approval rating remains stuck below 50pc, a perilous position for an incumbent president.
More than half the country is now unhappy with events in Iraq. Last week delivered disappointing employment figures, with only 32,000 jobs created in July.
Yet Mr Kerry's messages on the economy and Iraq were drowned out by a president who, helped by Vice President Dick Cheney and his attack-dog-in-chief, outsmarted and out-joked him.
Mr Kerry's problems began when Mr Bush challenged him for a yes-or-no answer on a critical campaign issue: if he knew last year before the invasion that no weapons of mass destruction would be found in Iraq, would he still have voted for the war?
Mr Bush, whose own answer is an unequivocal yes, knew that Mr Kerry's position on Iraq is by necessity more complicated, not least because he voted against Mr Bush's later request for $87bn (€70bn) in post-war reconstruction funds, at a time when he needed to appease the anti-war tide dominating the Democratic primary race.
In a sign that Mr Kerry is still struggling to crystalise a clear message on Iraq that convinces a majority of voters, he had to debate with his aides on how to respond to Mr Bush.
On Monday, he declared that he still would have voted for the war, but handled the lead-up to war and the post-combat phase differently. Then Mr Kerry surprised aides by declaring that he could begin to reduce US troops in Iraq significantly within the first six months of his presidency.
On Tuesday, at a rally in Florida, Mr Bush pounced: "My opponent has found a new nuance. He now agrees it was the right decision to go into Iraq. But just remember, there are 83 days left in the campaign, time enough to change his mind again."
Over troop reduction, he accused Mr Kerry of sending "mixed signals" on Iraq and giving succour to Iraqi militants. The senator's aides were forced to issue "clarifications".
Jo Biden, the veteran Democrat senator, conceded that the first round went to Mr Bush, despite the renewed insurgency in Iraq and poor job figures, which abruptly forced Mr Bush to drop the claim that the US was "turning the corner" on the economy.
On Thursday, Mr Cheney ridiculed Mr Kerry for saying that he would fight a "more sensitive" War on Terror, ignoring the fact that Mr Bush used similar language last year.
Yesterday, as he ended his 15-day, 22-state cross-country tour in Oregon, Mr Kerry began what his aides said would be a two-week offensive on the economy. But that message was overshadowed largely by Mr Bush's success in focusing on Mr Kerry's position on Iraq and terrorism.
Mr Bush is in the fight of his political life. He is running neck-and-neck with Mr Kerry, himself a veteran campaigner.The President is largely at the mercy of events in Iraq, and on the economy.
Why not wait till something happens and then criticize him for inaction?
WRONG! One jobs number DOES NOT an entire economy make.
There have already been storm-related deaths in eastern NC. There is no record of either Edwards or Kerry having visited wounded Iraqi soldiers, so unless there is an occasion for a photo-op, we will not see Edwards in NC, where he has seldom been during his senatorial "career."
Who was criticizing? I just asked a question.
I see the Democrats doing this all the time. At some point he will have to do something. Unlike Bush who had the War on Terror tossed into his lap on 9/11, Mr. Edwards has a couple of days to plan and participate in emergency education broadcasts for his state.
You know, getting on the news and discussing with North Carolina's people the basic safety procedures, etc.
So, if he hasn't interrupted his campaign - that is a form of inaction.
I think another salient point about Bush is that he is very tough, but quietly so. His jocular, relaxed manner hides a steely and ruthless inner core. Very handy type of personality for a politician.
Of course, God can do anything...if He wills to do it. The way the US has treated God the last 30 years, why should He help us?
I suspect they will include Laura in lots of events and ads. Terezzzzzzzzza is such a mess, a kook, while Laura is refined, and neat as a pin. The comparison will help Bush enormously.
yet to inoculate him from his anti-war screeds, they have chosen the pro viet vets soldiers to surround him.
they have tried to take away 9/11 from bush by declaring it opportunistic, as if it has NOT affected the economy (actually heard paul krugman say the other day that 9/11 was THREE YEARS AGO, as if 9/11 has NOT influenced today's economy regarding security, the war, defense...and the man is supposed to be an economist!)
they have made bush's "war" record an issue without releasing kerry's complete military records.
they tried to blame 9/11 on bush by putting gorelick on the 9/11 commission and distancing themselves from intelligence responsibilities by removing documents from the records. too bad sandy berger got caught.
considering the paucity of talent on the part of their candidate, kerry's team has done an excellent job. the problem is it falls apart every time the candidate opens his mouth. and the swift vets are making inroads, in spite of the ridiculous anti-coverage they receive from the mainstream press. too many of them to fight.
personally i can't stand the thought of that contemptuous pompadoured strutting popinjay booming his depressing and ludicrous decrees concerning this most magnificent of countries for the next four years.
Who is Jo Biden? Did Senator Biden undergo a sex change and become Jo instead of Joe?
But that false front is already falling apart, as you rightly stated, because it's based on lies.
And the pressure on Kerry will only intensify, from here on in.
"I'm not even sure God can help us that much."
To paraphrase Mr. Lincoln, I hope to have God on our side, but I MUST have Ohio and Florida.
Bush should pour money and aid into Florida now. He has an opportunity to be a leader regarding the hurricane, and pick up votes. And of course Jeb is front and center. Can't hurt...
Exactly what campaigns is Kerry a veteran of? He was a lefty liberal in lefty liberal safe Taxachussetts. To the extent he had tough campaigns, they were self inflicted...he should have been totally safe; only his incompetent campaigning made them close.
Massachusets republicans are on the endangered species list.
Are you a Christian? If yes, open your bible and start reading again. You must have lost your faith!
And meanwhile, make a difference in your corner of the world by talking to people, helping them register to vote, handing them good articles, etc etc.
Bush runs circles around Kerry. Then Kerry recognizes the circles and immediately flips them, for he cannot resist the temptation.
If Kerry had won in a Republican or moderate state, he would be a more credible candidate. He still should not be underestimated. He seems to be totally without scruples.
Does anyone know the comment from Bush that is being referenced here? I suspect if it was really that 'similar' our press would have already put it in the headlines...
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