Posted on 10/01/2004 12:14:39 PM PDT by crushelits
Debating the topic thought to be Bush's strength, foreign policy, the senator did more than hold his ground. Will it matter? After slip-sliding through the late summer of Campaign '04, John Kerry finally regained solid footing in the first Presidential debate.
In the Sept. 30 foreign policy clash at the University of Miami, the Massachusetts senator scored some points with his repeated attacks on President Bush's Iraq policy and played pretty good defense when it came to explaining his various positions on the invasion and its aftermath.
Kerry's solid performance is unlikely to move him into the lead, but it should convince some wavering Democrats and independents who have abandoned him in the past two months to give him a closer look. "COLOSSAL ERROR." Bush appeared hesitant at times but was emphatic when he repeated his main point of the debate: Kerry was sending mixed messages to the world, to Iraqi allies, and to U.S. troops in harm's way by changing positions on the efficacy of the war that has cost more than 1,000
(Excerpt) Read more at businessweek.com ...
I wonder how much of this was written before the debate.
"Any man who is under 30, and is not a liberal, has not heart; and any man who is over 30, and is not a conservative, has no brains." Churchill
His performance was impressive only to those people who are blind and stupid to the facts. True he was polished and formidable in his appearance and the split screen of Bush made him look dumpy at times.
Still in the post debate setting Bush has ten times the material now to use on Kerry than Kerry has on him.
I think the next debates will fool you. Bush will go in as the underdog but in reality he has a great domestic track record. Even more impressive when you realize that he accomplished this much during a war and a very partisan ledgislature.
nick
Plus it's a town hall. Kerry will have to mingle with the people. Some people don't like Bush in a town hall setting, but I do. I remember the 2000 town hall debate, when a man said Bush seemed to enjoy the fact that he had signed death warrants while governor of Texas. Bush's answer was brilliant, and it completely disarmed the questioner, who was impressed with Bush's answer.
My husband, after hearing the "talking heads on FNC" was kind of down but I cheered him up by stating the facts, many of those on hand never get out of the Beltway and spend time with "the folks" who carry out the trash every week, deal with the long lines at WalMart, etc. Even the soc-alled conservatives of the group lead lives very removed from fly-over country.
"Plus it's a town hall. Kerry will have to mingle with the people. Some people don't like Bush in a town hall setting, but I do. I remember the 2000 town hall debate, when a man said Bush seemed to enjoy the fact that he had signed death warrants while governor of Texas. Bush's answer was brilliant, and it completely disarmed the questioner, who was impressed with Bush's answer."
I agree. Bush will be the underdog, but in fact he will be on the offense because Kerry has no record, nothing to go on, and if he strikes out the pres can counter with accomplishments. He can boost that he's honestly done positive things for minorities, education, jobs, environment, etc etc. It's going to impress alot of people.
Just hope he gets rid of that blue tie. He looks much better in a dark suit and red/burgundy tie.
nick
Pompous blowhard.
"Excuse me, I'm trying to get to Lambert field to see Manny Ortiz play"
My only anger is that we didn't slay the dragon last night.
Bullcrap!
Businessweek leans left.
I'm going to get something off my chest. Hanoi john can shove off! These are maybe just my feelings but they are mine. Debating is a fantasy world. I live in the real world. My Brothers and Sisters in uniform are being shot at and sleeping at night in far away lands. President Bush lives in the Real World and he leads from the front. I want President Bush leading my Brothers and Sisters in uniform because he takes good care of them. Hanoi john will get them killed! President Bush said it Right"It Is Hard Work". He has to live with all the decisions he makes and I'm in there with him. Some of our people are on their second tour of duty in Iraq. It will take time and they are the only ones capable of doing this job. God Bless President Bush and the Best of the Best that he leads.
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.