Posted on 10/01/2004 6:41:57 AM PDT by Hermann the Cherusker
1st round goes to W.
Kerry needed a knockout, and he didn't get it
HILLARY won.
Or one of the Johns. You know, McCain or Edwards.
Or anybody else seriously looking to run in '08 after George W. Bush serves out his second term.
That's because John Kerry, who had to score a knockout last night, landed some punches but didn't take the title.
Yeah, he looked a little tougher than when he's windsurfing off Nantucket in spandex.
And, OK, he had a good line about how it's one thing to always be "certain" but one can, after all, be certain and wrong.
And he even seemed somewhat directed and focused.
But this debate, critical if not determinative to the outcome of the election, did not take Kerry where he needs to be.
Instead, the champ at staying on message is still the undisputed George W. Bush.
How so?
Because of one moment that defined the debate and the race.
When debate moderator Jim Lehrer asked Bush if there are "character issues" that maybe should keep Kerry from being president, Bush showed he's a consummate politician.
He first did some aw-shucks plain-speak. "Whew, that's a loaded question."
See, he's just folks.
Then he graciously praised Kerry's service to country and family, calling him "a great dad," and even praised his service in the Senate.
It was Bush being the nice guy, the guy people like. Brilliant.
Then he hit Kerry with the message of the night, indeed the campaign:
"He changes positions."
It was the pat on the back before slipping in the shiv.
(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...
Wow! That's a loaded understatement.
The Daily Snooze is little more than a daily 90 page Kerry Campaign flyer. They were the first paper in the country to endorse Kerry, and they've been busy reminding us of it ever since.
This is ridiculous commentary. There was no way Kerry could have scored a knockout on issues he has "repositioned" himself all along (Iraq war, foreign policy). For Kerry to score even a draw (many say he won) on an issue which he has waffled on for years, Bush is in big trouble when they get to issues which Kerry has been consistant (though completely wrong) on.
Bush is the candidate that needed a knockout on foreign policy. When they get to tax increases and government handouts, Kerry has been steadily on the wrong side his entire career. He will look like Robinhood by comparison to Bush and the "what is my country going to do for me" crowd (the "undecided"s) will fall his way.
Lehrer shook hands with Kerry--and gave him a wink. Liberal bias so obvious, only the most deeply in denial missed it.
Appears you haven't heard: white is touted and worn by the likes of PDiddy and the M. Jackson family when they are working a cause. And jLo demands all white in her dressing/hotel rooms, wherever she goes. It's a Hollywood thing. Blingbling.
No
BTW Laura wore white too...
You have an opinion....I disagree.
The debate was vintage Kerry: Unexciting and uninspiring.
Kerry said that he would stop the bunker (a.k.a.: Osama's home) busting nuclear bomb. Just like he has voted against the weapons systems being used now against terrorists. In other words, Kerry would continue to vote against those things that help our troops. Secondly, he did not answer the question on specifics regarding how he would proceed in Iraq. So, we have specifics on how he would make our troops impotent in fighting terrorism, but none on how he would carry out the battle in Iraq. Doesn't sound like a Commander in Chief to me.
I disagree, but it probably depends on what you define as winning or losing. Sure, Bush is not a great debater and Kerry proved that he had indeed been on the Yale debate team. Bush could have been more aggressive in rebutting Kerry's criticisms, but would you have liked that? Would you rather have a President who goes around crushing his opponent verbally, or one that was calm and resolute, especially in the kind of world that we are living in now? I don't care if somebody wants a debate or not, and I want for President a man with principles and strength, not a Kerry.
This editorial is way to kind to Bush. He just didn't do well. Stylistically, that is. And he missed many opportunities to nail Kerry.
But style won't win votes for Kerry. The DNC is already making an ad showing Bush's "reactions", the smirking, etc. People all ready know this about Bush; it's already factored into the polls.
On the other hand, Kerry left himself open on several points that the RNC could exploit: The "global test" could be a killer ad, especially if it's true Kerry lifted that line from a De Villepin interview earlier this week.
Also, Kerry's idea of a summit to get France, Germany and Russia involved in Iraq is not a "plan"; it's an "objective". What is Kerry's plan to convince Chirac, Shroeder and Putin to contribute troops to a war that Kerry himself doesn't even believe is a just war? Tough sell.
Bottom line: Bush sucked last night in delivery. Kerry was eloquent, but way short on specifics. In other words, a draw, which is a good as a defeat when you're as far behind in the polls as Kerry.
Typo correction: I don't care if somebody wins a debate or not, and I want for President a man with principles and strength, not a Kerry.
According to certain members of Free Republic (MoJo refers to them as the "FReeper PMS Brigade") last night, "we lost the election" last night.
*YAWN*
Thank God none of them are running this country. I would half expect them to be WORSE than Kerry. And that's truly pathetic.
bump for later
I noted last night and againt today that the people with the most negative comments here are those who never post. Regardless of sign up date, that's what I see. People who don't post appearing only now.
Go, Dubya, go !!!
Good grief! Did folks say that last night? Whoa. Dubya did great, imho .....
Bush NEVER LIED....that's all skerry did...was ly out his buttt.
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