Posted on 09/30/2004 7:48:13 PM PDT by wagglebee
Presidential debate moderator Jim Lehrer showed once again Thursday night why top aides to President Clinton used to call him "our moderator" when presidential debate time rolled around in 1996.
The questions, which Lehrer announced at the outset had been authored exclusively by him, were supposed to help the American people determine which candidate would be a better steward of U.S. national security in a post-9/11 world.
But there were no queries to Sen. Kerry about his long Senate record of voting against defense appropriations; or his sponsorship of a bill to cut CIA funding by 6 billion dollars a year after terrorists struck the World Trade Center in 1993; or Kerry's support of the nuclear freeze movement during the height of the Cold War.
Kerry wasn't asked about why he teamed up with Jane Fonda to protest the Vietnam War while his band of brothers were still on the battlefield, or why he met with enemy leaders in Paris, or why he accused fellow soldiers of being "monsters" and "war criminals."
Most Americans would consider the answers to those questions extremely relevant to the selection of any U.S. commander-in-chief during a time of war.
But not Jim Lehrer. Instead, he focused on Iraq with question after question that suggested Bush had blown it.
Here's a sampling:
"You said there was a miscalculation in Iraq," Lehrer asked the president. "What was it and how did it happen?"
"What colossal misjudgments, in your opinion," Lehrer asked Kerry, "has President Bush made in these areas [Iraq]?"
To Bush: "Mr. President, has Iraq been worth the cost in American lives -10,052 - I mean 1,052 up to today?"
To Kerry: "You've repeatedly accused President Bush of lying to the American people on Iraq. Give us some examples of the president being untruthful on Iraq?"
Despite his focus on Iraq, however, Lehrer never asked why Kerry voted to authorize the war, then turned around and voted against the legislation to fund it. Or why he voted against authorization for the first Gulf War, even though President Bush's father had amassed just the kind of coalition Kerry says the U.S. needs now.
Likewise, the PBS host declined to ask Kerry about comments in recent days from French and German officials who announced they have no intention of sending troops to Iraq, even if Kerry is elected.
That's quite a stunning development, given that Kerry's Iraq policy rests almost solely on the promise that he'll persuade Old Europe to pitch in and take some of the load off U.S. forces.
But not stunning enough, apparently, to interest Mr. Lehrer.
I totally agree with this post, my first and lasting impressions were the questions were all attacks on Bush, not one tough question regarding Kerry's 20 years in the senate. Pathetic!
FOX panel headed by Brit Hume unanimously gives win to Kerry and says race will tighten.
This was W's turf and he did NOT HIT A HOME RUN!!
Kerry's ability to debate far exceeds that of Bush. Problem is, he didn't have the truth on his side (and he lied a few times). Toss up. Bush gained nothing but neither did Kerry and it was a must win for Kerry.
See my comment #5
Limbacher is spot on with this article. Can't wait for Rush and the rest of talk radio....to rip on Lehrer tomorrow.
It sounds to me like Lehrer let Kerry write the questions for tonights debate.
Ping.
Deserving of a Bttt.
I think this may play well for the Pres. An awful lot of folks got a wake-up call with the black and white exposure of Rather and CBS. These are people who are usually not that political but pay a little more attention at election time. Just like everyone becomes a handicapper around Kentucky Derby time. NOW they are starting to notice the MSM bias. And here comes Jim (he must be good, he's on PBS) Lehrer and dumps that bucket of slop!
I think this may help.
Just my 2¢
Sorry Howlin re your post #12. Even if the questions were all about Bush (and they should be. We would want them to be about Gore's record had he had been in the WH the last 4)the Prez had plenty of help and time to be prepared. He wasn't. He did better toward the end. He appeared more genuine. But until the last 10 or 15 mins during the split screens had a "how dare you question my record" look on his face. He looked hunched at the podium. He fumbled for words often. He kept repeating the talking points. He was the Al Gore of this years debate with his sighs and glaring looks.
The president crossed the stage to greet his wife and children, and shook Lehrer's hand then.
cbs found about 200 undecided voters that (didnt like the way the country was heading) and they liked Kerry.
I bet they were shocked
LOL, good essessment!
This debate reminds me of the third quarter of a football game where one side has a slim lead. Both teams are playing good defense keeping the score down, and the offenses are primarily concerned with keeping control of the ball and preventing turnovers.
I wonder how the Kerry gang would like it if Brit Hume were the moderator for the next "debate".
Or perhaps Hannity, or Tony Snow? Hmmmm?
You're so right. I cannot stand Jim Lehrer. A creepy little sneak of a man. The fix was in tonight, but also George was not on his game, IMO.
It was a very uncomfortable night for me watching that scene, and now I guess we have to possibly concede that this is going down to the wire. The media will see to it.
I have a sick feeling. I hope I feel better in the light of day.
I wonder what Karen Hughes is thinking right now!
I totally disagree.
I sat with some folks who are truly apolitical...
not partisan at all, and they all thought POTUS
clobbered Kerry... that Kerry was sour, dour and prissy.
I think Lehher was fair.
POTUS won this one big time.
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