Why Bush Won

The American Spectator ^ | 10-01-04 | John Tabin

[LibLieSlayer]

No. I paid to receive this data. Be patient. National polls over the remainder of this weekend will bear this out.

LLS

[codercpc]

Watching the recaps this morning, without the Presidents ums, and ahs, the President looks extremely strong and determined.

[brewcrew]

For once the edits via the MSM seem to be leaning toward the President.

All part of Hillary's plan (or dare I say conspiracy?) to ensure a Kerry defeat?

[myself6]

Your too close to it. I have the same problem. Thats why I never watch the debates.

My wife is NOT a political junkie like me and is not a hard core conservative. Sometimes I think the only reason she votes republican is because I do :) She watches the debates, and she watches them from the proper perspective and "distance"( A distance NOT measured in micrometers, which is how most freepers would have to measure their perspective from this).

When the debates were over I asked her how it went. ( I had been reading FR so I was already freaking out because of all the other freepers freaking out) To my COMPLETE surprise my lovely wife stated that Kerry acted like a jerk. She thought The president won the debate because he "spoke from the heart" (direct quote). She thought kerry was mean and changed positions all over the place. She did not like the idea of kerry wanting to get permission for the world to protect the US.

Bottom line... My wife (who I find to be a great gauge of how the "public" will view things) considered President Bush the winner of this debate. And THAT is good enough from me.

[Darkwolf377]

The comments about Bush's performance remind me of the reactions to Zell Miller--so many pundits throught him angry, but because he connected the war to his family, he was an enormous help.

Last night, people here were saying Bush lost (I didn't). Today, what's everyone talking about? "Global Test".

Think Kerry still won?

[Gerry In KC]

If you want a guy who can win a debate contest, and as long as the score keepers don't do a fact check on his answers, then Kerry is your man. He will say anything to win a formal debate. However, being C in C involves much more than formal debating. When Kerry gets outside of the debate box, he offends people, he lies to people, he is obviously much more concerned about himself than with you and me. The comment I recall from people on Capital Hill is that Kerry "does not play well with others."

Everyone should forget about "style," and look at substance. Kerry made several statements that simply were not true, he contradicted himself (Saddam was not a threat, Saddam was a threat), and he has no distinctive plan for Iraq, despite his assurances that he does (it is pretty much the same plan that Bush has, and Kerry knew he was lying when he said "I have a plan, Bush has no plan").

[hawkaw]

I don't think he got creamed but he sure was on the defensive. And that is why the lamstream press will have a field day with all of this.

Here is hoping sKerry made some serious misstatements last night such as the Osama in Afganistan mistake etc. and the MSM will be forced to cover those misleading statements.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Kerry is all talk. But he never really says anything. What little he does say is harmful. He has no business being a senator and certainly not the CIC. I think Bush won on substance and clarity. Kerry gets style points, but only for the debate. I don't vote on style.

[GailA]

Calling our fighting men and women CHILDREN is NOT a good. As usual sKerry shows his LOATHING of our Military.

[thecanuck]

Expectations have been lowered for Bush and raised for Kerry in the next debate. Whether deliberate or not, Bush has a week to review Kerry (and the liberal moderator's) approach and get ready for his own attack. This debate set the stage for what to look for. The next debate will start to firm opinions for any true undecideds.

With the 527's, the experience of the DUI surprise in 2000, and any other manner of surprises/diversions left, a month from now, this debate will have meant little in the final outcome. I still have faith that Rove and crew have some heavy artillery in reserve but I also have no doubt more crap will be tossed at Bush.

If there is any solace for both the optimists and the pessimists, its that the election is already in the Lord's hands. Win or lose, joy or frustration, we must trust that his plan is better than any that we could imagine.

[crv16]

Bush had to share the stage with a lying, piss-elegant fop who would sell America down the river to please Jacques Chirac, and I think Bush's annoyance at that showed, and frankly, I can't blame him.

But on substance Bush won, and I think that will carry the day, ultimately.

The facts are stark and plain. We are in a death match with terrorists and we must be on offense and use our power when we choose to, and you don't have to be a great orator to get that simple point across. It's the only salient point and all of Kerry's smooth BS won't win any voters over IMO, on that all important defining issue.

I was trying to look at the debate from the view of an undecided or persuadable voter. I think from that viewpoint, Kerry clearly came across better than Bush.

On substance - I don't think Bush clearly defined the differences between himself and Kerry. Sure, he told us his position, but didn't contrast that well enough from Kerry's position(s).

This debate had no influence on MY vote (for Bush), but I suspect it will move a few votes Kerry's way. With this race so tight, we can't afford that.

[SolutionsOnly]

I have agree that Bush wins hands down if you read the transcript. But form a presentation standpoint, I was squirming in my chair watching him. It was frustrating. A very disappointing performance from Bush. Thank God he's got substance on his side.

[silent_jonny]

Could it be that the President is holding his fire, keeping his powder dry for the next two debates?

Exactly. We still got a month to go. There's no point pulling the trigger until you see the whites of their eyes.

[Bob from De]

Whether Dubya won or lost will be forgotten. What will not be forgotten are the lies and outrageous statements made by Kerry.

Kerry never called Dubya a liar?
Kerry has had only one position on Iraq?
Only rich got tax cut?
New York subways closed?
Iraq war cost $200B ($119B so far)
Giving nuclear material to Iran?
Action must pass GLOBAL TEST?
Dissed ALL allies except British!
Disses Allawi!
Disarm unilaterally?
Cancel missile defense?
Saddam not a threat, then later became a threat?
Wrong war,etc. = aid and comfort to terrorists, demoralizes troops, Americans, and our Allies!
No link between Saddam and al-Queda? (911 Report says otherwise)
Iraq is now in charge of Iraq!

I can't wait for Rush, Hannity, and the bloggers to destoy Kerry's statements. Especially the Vast Right Wing Pajama Party!

[KenmcG414]

I'm a big Bush supporter,but I thought the President blew it big time. He seemed intimidated by Kerry. He didn't go after Kerry's record against defense & intelligence. Those bunker buster bombs have saved countless American lives and how else can we get weapons stored in mountains & caves and the Pres. said nothing. The President better get his act together for the next debate or the election will go down the drain.

[silent_jonny]

but even the palms of his hands were yellow, which was a distraction (or was it my television)?

I noticed that too. It was like his people frantically scrubbed the orange off his face, but forgot about his hands.

[uncbob]

I just widsh Bush would quit trying to overplay the nice guy image

Public wants a string resolute leader

That's why Zell Millers speech brought the delegates to their feet

Public hasn't seen somebody like that in ages

This wimping down of America has to cease

[silent_jonny]

The enemies we're facing in the War on Terror are not the least bit impressed by talking; the only rational way to deal with them is to wipe them out.

Amen!

[Tom602]

I had to work last night, but I did listen to the first hour of the debate. What I found interesting is that the "image" is totaly different. The perception I got from last night was that Kerry was overly aggressive and rude constantly. I heard nothing but contempt in Kerry's voice for the President. It made me feel, well, (like my tagline says) like shouting at my radio.

I dunno. It just sounded like Kerry was beating on his chest, acting too macho. He sounded like he would rather fist fight President Bush than discuss the issues, and President Bush was trying to have a civil conversation with America, about where we as Americans are and where he would like us to go.

All in all, Kerry did better than I expected, but I do feel Bush won on substance. All this proves is that President Bush has a real fight on his hands.

Just my amateur opinion. Shred at will.....

[albie]

Correct! "Global Test" was not a word in the dictionary of most Americans. We tried the diplomacy/inclusion route and it failed. Americans know this. The moment that most Americans will remember is sKerry's admission that he would indeed ask permission the next time. Also, to say tha "America is not safer..." is a tough sell on a public that hasn't been attacked in thier own backyard since 9/11.