Posted on 10/01/2004 6:28:55 AM PDT by Alas Babylon!
Two presidential debates and one vice-presidential debate were set in the 1984 general election. The first debate was limited to domestic policy, the second debate focused on international policy and national defense. President Reagan was the incumbent and the polls in late September showed his approval rating at almost 54 percent. The October debates were seen as Mondale's only remaining chance to close the big gap.
In the first debate, Mondale was viewed as the more effective speaker and Reagan was said to have appeared tired and sometimes confused. In the second debate, Mondale failed to gain further ground. Reagan successfully diffused the issue of his age during the second debate when he said, "I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience."
Overall, the 1984 debates were seen as helping to revive Mondale's failing campaign, but not enough to change the outcome of the election, given President Reagan's large lead throughout the campaign.
(Excerpt) Read more at cgi.cnn.com ...
Last night's debate reminded me of the first Reagan-Mondale debate. Not the Carter-Reagan, Bush-Dukakis, or Kennedy-Nixon debate.
Have faith, folks!
Have faith, folks!
Yeah, but W. is no Reagan in terms of speaking ability (tho' recongizing the fact that Reagan fumbled at that '84 debate), he was dang close in 1994, but hasn't been for a while. And also, Kerry is no Mondale, who at least was an "honest" liberal.
Everybody is getting their pants in a wad because Bush did not do as well as he could. Well, as I pointed out last night, Mondale was declared the winner in the first debate in 84'and he only lost 49 states. Furthermore, its apparent that the debate did not help Kerry in the polls.
Bush had one goal last night: drive home the point that Kerry is inconsistent and sends mixed messages.
He certainly accomplished this goal. No matter what anyone says about Kerry stylistically, the fact that he sends mixed messages will be the only detail remembered from this debate.
Keep in mind also that the 24 hour media will beat this thing to death and will eventually get to the content of Kerry's statements which were confusing at best and rediculous at worst.
Thanx! GMTA!!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.