Don’t Shoot the Messenger . . ’cause this assessment’s grim

National Review ^ | 10/01/04 | Jay Nordlinger

[vbmoneyspender]

What I say may be absurd in light of the general reaction — but so be it.

He should have stopped his column right there.

[beyond the sea]

Bush, throughout the evening, as Kerry spoke, had that pursed and annoyed look.

Yes he did. Bummer.

[LongsforReagan]

I agree entirely with this assesment and share the authors pain in doing so. But surprisingly, the MSM doesnt appear ready to pile on...yet.

[JLS]

The problem for Kerry may well be his mistake on the NYC subway system. That could dominate the debate coverage.

[SoCal Pubbie]

The late guy on KFI radio tonight says Bush won easily.

[Crazieman]

Really? They seem to be gleefully piling on to me. :(

[Uncle George]

As Ann Coulter stated, "its a mental disease".

[Darkwolf377]

I see his points but I just don't buy it. Like many media critics, he's micro-examining this, when people will get the impression, the feel of it.

[TOUGH STOUGH]

I disagree. Bush might not have done his best, but overall I think he did well and it was a draw.

[jwalsh07]

This guy wrote an article this long about the debate without mentioning one salient point that will endure the night. Amazingly inept.

Think global test, providing Iran nuclear fuel, unilateral disaramament of our bunker busting program, no forward basing in Iraq, bilateral talks with Korea etc, etc.

[tiki]

My non-political husband watched it with me, (I had to comandeer the remote), he had no expectations for either candidate but likes Bush, he had no problem giving Bush the win because SKerry never answered a question. He just said he'd do better and spend more money while saving money even though he voted against the money.

[Visioneer]

No, actually he was at his peak several hours earlier while he was comforting the hurricane-ravaged people of Florida... Frankls, I thought President Bush did extremely well tonight...considering the level of physical exhaustion he had to be contending with....

[Howlin]

Brian Williams on MSNBC and some guys on CNN had a list of Kerry's lies, starting with the price tag for Iraq.

[Darkwolf377]

"Think global test, providing Iran nuclear fuel, unilateral disaramament of our bunker busting program, no forward basing in Iraq, bilateral talks with Korea etc, etc."

I think you're right. I've been all around the net, had phone calls from friends who don't share my politics, and these things have been brought up. The DETAILS remembered from this night will be Kerry's damning positions.

[demnomo]

The problem for Kerry may well be his mistake on the NYC subway system. That could dominate the debate coverage.

This story should be on the front page of the New York Post tomorrow morning.

[Brimack34]

I already forgot the debate. So will most people. Now we will see the sound bites. They count more. I have written and read so much I forgot the style, really.

[ladyinred]

Well, if he would vote for Kerry because of this debate, then what he says isn't worth much. Again, and most likely again I will say that the questions posed were designed to put Bush on the defense, none were posed to put Kerry anywhere but on the attack. Kerry who always whines about the Attack dogs of the right, was in need of a muzzle himself.

[Prime Choice]

I agree entirely with this assesment and share the authors pain in doing so. But surprisingly, the MSM doesnt appear ready to pile on...yet.

They will. As soon as they smell blood in the water, they will.

[MNJohnnie]

But tonight (I am writing immediately post-debate) did not show him at his best. Not at all. He will do better — I feel certain — in subsequent debates. I also worry that they count less

Yet another supposed Republican so hung up on style he missed the substance. Kerry may make these people all weak in the knees with his formal debating style, but on substance he blew it. In a post 9-11 world the average voter doesn't want to hear about "Global tests and Bi-lateral talks"

2nd. I wouldn't be so sure Kerry even one on style. Kerry's "I'm so vain" style of relentless self promotion may make the media elite all agog but it does nothing to raise Kerry's Likability factor. Kerry came across as a self-rightous Monday Morning quarterback blow hard. I suspect his rating with women will drop a bit again after this debate.