FR Live Thread: Bush Kerry - First Debate - Thread 2 - Here we go!

[Admin Moderator]

Thread 1 - Pre-Debate discussion

[patriciamary]

I hope you are right because Bush soooo deserves to be re-elected I was actually sick after this debate>

[Solar Wind]

"I live in Daytona Beach. I just had to fix my roof for the THIRD time, and will not be able to get it repaired properly for at least four WEEKS, because of backlogged homeowners like myself. My neighbors just got their electricity back on YESTERDAY. The town is so badly damaged on the beachside that it will take a VERY long time before it will monetarily recover.

That being said, I watched GWB touring some of the devastation in South Florida today. I wonder what Kerry was doing today, besides getting "pretty".

As I was getting ready for work starting at 4:00 pm, Neil Cavuto came across with a Fox News Alert, saying that there was a possible ANTHRAX attack at possibly 5-6 locations in Broward County, just north of Dade County where the debate was to be held.

Do you think the Secret Service RUSHED to inform Kerry of the possible attack, asked him if he needed FEMA to start a possible evacuation of say at least 2-3 thousand people (to start with), and check with homeland security to see if any other US cities have also been targeted, and see if the National Guard needs to be put on alert in Broward for help with evacuations if needed, and alert other states NATIONWIDE to be at the ready if needed.....LESS THAN FIVE HOURS BEFORE KERRY'S NATIONALLY TELEVISED DEBATE ???? And put Kerry on HOLD for around 90 or so minutes, until the possible anthrax attack was checked out for it's validity ???

Yes, I believe that GWB wanted to have somebody's ASS tonite on that stage!! After going through a possible terror attack less than 5 hours before his debate, I'm sure he would like to have the person's ASS that pulled this VERY WELL TIMED AND TOO CONVIENIENTLY PLACED fake attack. I also believe that after going through all that today, he would LOVE to have F'n's ASS, who IMMEDIATELY starts off calling him a LIAR, and HE"S NOT DOING HIS JOB !!!!!

F'n doesn't care about my roof problems, or much worse the people here in Florida who DON'T HAVE A HOME ANYMORE, NO JOB because their workplace was also destroyed. Worse yet, IMHO, F'n probably couldn't believe his "good fortune" with the anthrax "attack" RIGHT before the first and maybe MOST important prez debate. I DO believe GWB cares about me, and the American people, and unlike F'n, works 24/7-365 to KEEP IT THAT WAY. Do I think GWB's "performance" last nite was a little "less" that it could have been?? Yes I do. But I understand why, and that is why I think considering the "day" GWB had BEFORE the debate, I think he did just fine keeping his "cool" and NOT WALKING across the stage AND DECKING F'n FOR SAYING HE'S a LIAR and NOT DOING HIS JOB!! (I apologize for my "rant", but I felt it needed to be said after reading all the negative posts here tonite.Thanks !)"

My heart goes out to you, Musicman. These are tough time for the folks in Florida. You make a very good point. I thought Bush looked a bit rough at first. We forget what a burden he carries on his shoulders for all of us daily. He also knows how big the stakes are in this election. Bush is the adult and Kerry comes across as someone who has never grown up. Thanks for your insight on what our president was doing earlier this day.

Mr Sol

[xm177e2]

John Kerry did well, the debate was basically a draw. Bush was tired, he sounded tired when he spoke about Iraq and insisted things would go well.

Bush didn't say anything new (nothing at least that jumps out at me). But Kerry did re-affirm some of his positions (which I assume means he will stick with them until Nov. 2nd). And in the coming days Kerry will have to answer for them.

The "global test" sound bite has already been used by Cheney to backhand Kerry. Kerry can be made to pay for his remarks about Korea (not unilateral enough). His "summit" idea can be ridiculed (who is he going to invite to the summit, countries who won't send troops no matter what or the "fradulent" "coalition of the coerced and bribed?" Who is coming to the party and what will it accomplish?)

That's my assessment, at least.

[Chesterbelloc]

I guess I should have added </sarcasm>

[Mr. Silverback]

Spent the first 30 seconds sucking up, and he talks with his hands too much. Very bad.

Why I could probably never run for office. People would think I was running for a parliament seat in France or Italy.

[MagnumRancid]

I have no idea and that is beside the point.
You can Gloom and Doom, Sky is falling all you want to.
I am not saying you in particular but some folks tonight have sounded just as parinoid as the dips over at DU.
I ain't buying it.

[Howlin]

Bump to your post.

Rant on!

[Otta B Sleepin]

President Bush did not get BULLDOZED in the debate. He held his own against repeated negative attacks from John Kerry.

I agree. The President showed incredible self-restraint and avoided some traps, like the question about Kerry's character.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

If you haven't read "Flags of Our Fathers" by James Bradley, please do. It deepened my appreciation of my own father's service in ways too profound to describe.

Every man who set foot on Iwo Jima was a hero. Sadly, I didn't realize that until several years after my dad died.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Darn. That's a deal-breaker. : )

[fooman]

not unprecedented. Letterman gave hillary the answers to the quiz.

[romans828]

I've been lurking a long time (most of the Bush 43 term) but after watching the debate I finally signed up tonight. I came here to find some inspirational posts to read to my mom. I've beem sitting at my computer ever since the debate ended reading through thousands of posts and feeling encouraged.

I pray continually for the entire conservative leadership: elected (Bush, Cheney, DeLay), political (Rove, Norquist), and informational (Rush, Sean, Laura, FoxNews, and Jay Severin, my local Bush-supporting talk show host). This is a time for those of us who believe in prayer to pour our hearts out for the future of this country.

[Iam1ru1-2]

"It's one of those slip-ups that happens late at night - or at 1:20 in the afternoon."

[nopardons]

That really would have helped quite a lot! :-)

[nopardons]

FWIW,I usually am correct,when it comes to politics.Son buck up,shoulders back,stiff upper lip,and get out there,in the REAL world,and work your butt off,anyway you can,to help get President Bush re-elected.:-)

[Iam1ru1-2]

"Somebody should tell the folks at DU that pacts with the Devil aren't legally binding."

Ya meen he flip-flops too? So that's who Kerry got his talking points from.

[Lee Shore]

Depend upon it, Coyote, that ANY use of nuclear weapons is problematical, mushroom cloud or no.

And after a dirty-bomb explosion there is still the problem of which country to attack. We can't and shouldn't level them all.

[Solar Wind]

3500+ posts and I have not read them all but there is one thing I have not seen mentioned. A few days before a poster on this forum noted that they thought that Leher's bias would come out in the debates. I believe it did even though his bias in not in the same league as Rather or Jennings.

Hugh Hewitt on his blog rates the questions pretty accurately I believe. The question asking Bush to name a character defect in Kerry was unprofessional on Lehar's part IMHO as well as the "Hackles" question at the end.

Here is what I have not seen mentioned.

The moderator was allowed at his discretion to give out an extra 30 seconds if he thought it was warranted. When Jim started handing 30 second spots to Kerry and not to Bush I started keeping score on a notepad.

Jim handed out at least five extra 30 second responses to Kerry. Of the three he gave to Bush only one was given voluntarily. The other two Bush had to ask for. When he did give extra time to Bush he then turned around and all but once gave another closing 30 seconds to Kerry.

By the extra time alloted to the debaters Leher clearly favored Kerry.

Mr Sol

[WashStateGirl]

Everything will be OK... Kerry was just giving a Big Bloated speech tonight like he is used to giving on the Senate floor... Say anything, mean nothing... nothing special... Bush was a little ill-at-ease having to stand so close to Kerry and take Kerry's traitorous mouth, but I bet you America will stick with a proven performer rather than swing over to some scary looking Bloviator. Kerry's hot air will disspate and Bush's common sense will remain...

[valleygal]

It's faster now at midnight, my time, LOL. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Take care!