[samtheman]

Reagan lost in a fair fight. He tried his damndest, screwed up, learned from his mistakes and went on to win the other debates.

Bush had one chance to end the election early. Could have ended it early. No matter what happens --- including an eventual Bush victory, which I will still work my heart out for --- the chance of Bush putting Kerry away on Oct 1 is gone forever.

And why is it gone? Because of a fair fight fairly lost?

Not on your life.

There is duplicity and treason within the Bush campaign.

Nothing else would explain the over-tiredness and under-preparedness of our President.

Nothing. Not all the spin of all the spiders on the internet.

[ohioWfan]

You know what explains the 'overtiredness' of the President?

He spent the day with hurricane victims in Florida.

You need some tinfoil if you think it has anything to do with a conspiracy.

[Truth Table]

Nothing else would explain the over-tiredness and under-preparedness of our President. Well he was helping families of the hurricane all day. I think that he was over prepared by his campaign, basically they told him to play nice to keep the womens vote. Most folks think that the damed thing was a tie, and most folks posting this thread think that there is something to worry about because NEWSWEEK publishs a poll. Good God. Look at the internals of the polls. Go to RCP. Newspeak is trying to make news. Simple. Calm down.

[Dan C]

Having run for election a couple of times (Mayor - won, state senate - lost) and having been the campaign manager for several campaigns including a congressional campaign, I speak with some history when I say that a poor performance in a debate or an interview doesn't always mean there is some sort of evil conspiracy lurking to sabotage things.

People do get sick, exhausted, overwhelmed, etc. Consider that Bush is basically working two jobs at the moment - being president AND campaigning to be president. The man is approaching 60 years old, is the leader of the free world and is also campaigning non stop. He just got done with a days worth of comforting people who lost everything to multiple hurricanes.

Granted, I think it was probably poor timing to have him involved with that the day of the debate - but I'm sure there were plenty of campaign management types debating whether it was worse to cancel a trip to view hurricane damage or to risk having Bush tired for the debate.

If I were the campaign manager, I honestly would have chosen the same schedule for the president. Florida is too important - even if just for symbolism by winning it - to pass on such an important time to genuinely comfort people and to get a decent photo op in the process.

Bush had a slow night. It wasn't a knock out but it wasn't a blowout for him either. Take your energy and focus it into getting Bush elected. Call family and friends and make sure they are registered. Donate money, time on phone banks, distribute literature, stick a sign in your yard and then pray like mad.

[Petronski]

Not on your life. There is duplicity and treason within the Bush campaign. Nothing else would explain the over-tiredness and under-preparedness of our President. Nothing. Not all the spin of all the spiders on the internet.

That's silly.

[contessa machiaveli]

OK, i'll bite....who is trying to sabotage the prez?

can't you just admit he was awful in the debate and it was HIS fault. reagan was able to prevail in the second debate because he was a brilliant communicator and yes, i had confidence in his ability to be a good prez. bush came out of this looking whiny, flustered, and pissed. it wasn't pleasant to see.