Posted on 09/30/2004 8:01:24 AM PDT by BibChr
Having predictively nailed John McCain, I'd like to offer my brief thoughts on what Kerry will do tonight, and invite yours.
Today's Democratic Party's notion of Real Leadership could be defined thus: the ability to say, with the most nuanced conviction, "Wahh!!"
And so, since the Swift Both Vets' ads and Bush's ads have scored some tellingly accurate direct hits, and since those hits have cost Kerry dearly, I think this is Kerry's biggest plan. I think that he is being advised that the knockout punch will be to cry and moan and complain, and to put the President on the defensive. He will whine that the ads are mean-spirited and despicable. He will bellyache that they're the worst he's ever seen. And since evidently this vampire hasn't yet been staked with sufficient authority, he will whimper that (sing it with me) his Patriotism is Being Questioned.
The design of this will be to force the President to be on the defensive, to apologize, to disown.
Now, what Mr. Bush should say (but won't) is to ask, "So let's review. I'd like Mr. Kerry to say what I have said so far, repeatedly, about his patriotism, and about these ads. And if he can't, I'd like him to explain why anyone should think he'd hear tonight what he's failed to hear for lo these many weeks."
Or he should say (but won't), "I support Mr. Kerry's right to free speech. Does he not support the same right to other veterans, if that speech is critical of him?"
Or he should say (but won't), "I have wondered again and again: what exactly did Mr. Kerry mean when he said, 'Bring it on'? Now all we hear is 'Call it off!'"
Or he should say (but won't), "Someone should tell Mr. Kerry that being President is a rough job. It inevitable involves being the target of a lot of harsh criticism. If he can't take the pressure at this point, when he is selling his strength of character to the nation, perhaps he should reconsider his own immediate career plans."
So, Kerry will say "Wah!" about twelve different times, in about twelve different ways. I'm betting that's his main plan.
His other supposed knockout punch will be to ask where bin Laden is.
You're joking, right? Ridiculous and vile distortions will put blood in the President's eye and you'll know it!
I bet he wont say Jenjis Khan!
Kerry: I have been consistent, prez should have authority but war was wrong time, 1,000 dead, Bush won't admit mistakes, diversion from WOT, nuke threats. I'll do better - won't tell you how. 50-50 chance he will bring up TANG AWOL crap. Will ask Bush to "join him" in stopping ads.
Bush: "Kerry, you ignorant slut..."
I predict that I will not be able to tune into CNN's or cBS's post-debate analysis. Someone here with a stronger stomach than I will have to do it.
Bush will be forthright about what he has done, and on what he plans to do. He will attempt to answer the questions straight.
I predict there will be one, and only one, time when Bush goes back to one of Kerry's answers: he will issue a point-by-point rebuttal of Kerry's "plan" for Iraq, showing how all of Kerry's "plans" are already being carried out.
The bottom line results of the "debate" will be that Kerry will be loud and rude, and he will attempt to claim victory based on his attacks. Bush will come across as steady, focused, and In Charge. Kerry loses big.
Not only that, but he hasn't even been doing his Senate job, while being paid for it by the TAXPAYER'S money.
Were I the President, I would address Flipper as Mr. Kerry, and say "as much as I would like to address you as Senator Kerry, you've not been there to do your job, while being paid by the American taxpayer, for whom you purport to care."
I predict that Kerry will feint under the pressure of the debate (probably just before he is about to contradict himself again).
The debate will come to an uncomfortable stop.
The media will report it as "Kerry Shows his Sensitive Side".
If you ask me, not having heard from bin Laden in three years is a good thing.
If he isn't dead, he sure as hell is contained a lot tighter than any UN resolutions could have done!
Kerry will work in the phrase "There you go again". The LSM will hail him for his originality and flair.
He will have a momentary pause, just in time to catch himself before a defining, Dean-like moment of ignominy. He won't catch himself in time for the second one, probably in the second debate. The third will be utterly meaningless, and will have the lowest ratings of any debate in 50 years.
Senator Kerry will come across a as pompous, sneering, Massachusetts elitist.
Bush, 1
Kerry, 0
What some of you are forgetting or maybe don't know is that part of the rules they agreed to is that no camera will show the reaction of the person not speaking. When W or Lurch is speaking, no one will see the other person except for the people in the audience of course.
I wonder if the crowd might not lower the standards for presidential debates, as well. Every other standard has been lowered in recent years. =^/
I had forgotten about that, but you're right - we'll undoubtedly be seeing a lot of that nasty thing tonight.
Any bets as to how many times his tongue escapes his pie-hole? I'm going to guess about 45-50.
I am not joking. This President takes his role as head of state seriously. He does not like getting down and dirty and thereby sullying the dignity of the Office of the President.
I remain worried that because Bush will not dignify the attacks, he will be seen as on the defensive.
There is no doubt that Kerry will attack, attack, attack. I hope that Bush stands up to him and does not simply shake his head in disgust.
Networks specifically said they will ignore this rule.
I'd laugh myself silly if Lurch asked about Dingle-Norwood.
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