Bush to turn on the charm in TV debates with 'unlikeable' Kerry

The Sunday Telegraph ^ | September 26, 2004 | Julian Coman

[MadIvan]

Kerry - the next Dukakis or the next Mondale? :)

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Ping!

[Balding_Eagle]

they are banned from using "risers or any other device to create an impression of elevated height" - a rule likely to flatter the 6ft 4in Sen Kerry.

Kerry needs one of those carnival mirrors in front of him that add about 30 or 40 pounds. He looks like he hasn't eaten in awhile.

[peyton randolph]

Kerry - the next Dukakis or the next Mondale?

The next Thomas Eagleton.

Bring on the electroshock therapy.

[ScottFromSpokane]

Advisers to George W Bush have told him to take a leaf from the Ronald Reagan book and come across as more "likeable" than the notoriously dry and haughty John Kerry in the televised debates that may decide the outcome of the election.

Geez, talk about setting the bar low.

[festus]

I know the odds are slim but I'd like to see GW give Kerry the ATOMIC WEDGIE and then ask if there are any Frenchies in the audience who'd like to come save Kerry's skinny a$$.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Looking forward to the debates. I know who's going to do much better. :-)

[newheart]

The debate I'd like to see is between Laura and Teresa.

[Mfkmmof4]

How can Bush be so dumb if he has NEVER lost a debate? His critics are a hoot!

[Serb5150]

The Reagan/Mondale debate was the very first I'd seen where I was old enough to vaguely understand what was going on. Didn't know much about either man, except that I liked Reagan right away and wanted the nice, smiley-faced guy to win.

My nephew was born just a few short hours ago. Once he's barely old enough, I can't wait to prop him up on my knee and watch the debates with him. Away from his liberal mother, of course.

[maro]

You can't coach likeability. Many Bush-haters acknowledge that it's much easier to like ole George than the American Gigolo.

[Jeff Chandler]

"The big hang-up was that George Bush wanted to get lifelines. You know, so he could call somebody."

Herein lies Kerry's problem. he has no ear for humor. In the first place, he should have trusted the intelligence of the audience and left out "You know, so he could call somebody", but that is typical elite liberal thinking, similar to the believe that no ordinary citizen could tell that a fake memo didn't look type written.

In the second place, that joke is funny coming from Leno. Coming from Bush's opponent, Kerry, it just sounds mean.

[christie]

.
Me too. I'd love to see Laura and Theresa debate. Of course, I'd have loved to see Theresa and Hillary duking it out in a mud pit.

Check out the John F. Kerry Timeline. Email it to your friends.
.

[ScottFromSpokane]

In the first place, he should have trusted the intelligence of the audience and left out "You know, so he could call somebody"....

I question the implication that knowing what "lifelines" means in this context is an indication of high intelligence.

It's some game show thing, right?

Though I agree with you that Kerry has a tin ear.

[kasparik]

If anyone is interested, CSPAN is replaying one of the Bush-Gore debate at 9:00 tonight. Osama Bin Laden will not be a topic.

[Hardastarboard]

I keep reading about how Kerry is losing his lead among women. In 1992 and 1996, the Democrats had the charming stud (Clinton, and yes, I know, UGH!). This time, it's us who have the charming stud. Na na na na na Democrats. Too bad. If there are voters out there who vote for irrational reasons, they might as well vote for our guy for irrational reasons.

[LarkNeelie]

Woo hoo! The Bush-Gore debates had me in stitches! I'll be sure to watch them again. Thanks for the heads up.

[Jenya]

I think Kerry should have said the more recognizable, "First, he had to phone a friend."

I don't think the idiot should have said anything, but since he did, everyone gets the "phone a friend" reference.

[YaYa123]

I hope right before Kerry goes out on stage, one of his handlers says; "Now remember, John, don't lick your lips! And John, don't over-gesture, it makes you look like an ostrich trying to fly. Just be yourself John, go out there and make America fall in love with you...and KEEP THAT UGLY TONGUE IN YOUR MOUTH!!! Love ya man!