[Orange1998]

Someone had to start the thread.

[afnamvet]

What's the format/rules for this debate? Anyone?

[cgk]

Very strange hearing Mort Kondracke say on Special Report with Brit Hume that Kerry "lied".

[drpix]

[AlGone2001]

Let me make a prediction.

Bush will win, but the media will ask, "Was it too much too late."

[dmanLA]

Don't know about you guys but my nerves are shot. I won't be watching the debate live but I will be supporting Bush in spirit. I hope he takes it to Kerry and 'undresses' him in front of the public.

I'll check FR before deciding if I want to watch the replay.

[jackbill]

President Bush and Senator John F. Kerry met tonight in a "town hall" type debate. The concensus, agreed to quickly after the debate, was that President Bush did nothing to help his cause. In fact, he may have damaged it because of an obvious failure to connect with the intelligent questioners, who, although "undecided", displayed a canny and thorough understanding of the issues.

Senator Kerry on the otherhand, surprised everyone and put on a display not seen since that of former President Bill Clinton in a similar setting in Richmond in 1992. Kerry was quick but sincere, and, for the first time, he displayed a very active sense of humor. A warm feeling for him quickly overcame the audience, especially when he informed the audience, in an almost shy revelation for the first time, that he had served in Vietnam and had numerous medals.

He also mentioned, in response to each and every question, that he had a plan.

Some media personalities wondered if there was really any reason to hold a third presidential debate.

[JonDavid]

I caught a glimpse of President Bush today leaving Air Force One. He looked like the Commander and Chief we all know he is. Watch out Kerry, the President is ready to RUMBLEEEEEE!!!!

[llevrok]

So, Kerry probably got his nails done (again). Let's hope George sharpened his spurs this week!

[HighlyOpinionated]

Look familiar??

[daler]

I'm pulling for both GWB and the Minnesota Twins tonight.

And I'm sad to say I'm bracing for it to be a very long, difficult night on both counts.

[BibChr]

The preferred condiment of undecided voters.

Dan

[NormsRevenge]

Can we debate who starts the debate pre-debate thread next time,, or isn't there time to pre-debate pre-debating who starts them? ;-)

[Plutarch]

We don't know how the debate will really turn out until Saturday Night Live does their sketch of it.

[M. Peach]

This morning, I heard the secretary of Commerce - Evans I think his name is, say that the reason the number of jobs are down is because it reflects jobs that are "payroll jobs" - and doesn't include all of the new home based business that have started up.

Since unemployment is way down - that should be the indicator. I hope Bush points this out tonight. If he doesn't - I will be greatly disappointed.

I don't know why he doesn't have someone like Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh prep him. He just doesn't seem to have a very good grasp how to counter the ridiculous positions of Kerry - they are so absurd.

I would venture to say that many here on FR could probably counter Kerry better than the president. This doesn't mean of course that he isn't the best person be in charge - I'm just saying debating isn't his strongest point.

[ml1954]

What Kerry will say - Bush is stupid and a liar and evil. Iraq is a disaster and we never should have gone there. We haven't killed Bin Laden. The economy is terrible. And France doesn't like us. I will clean up Bush's mess in Iraq. I will kill Bin Laden and the terrorists. I will raise taxes and improve the economy. And I will make France like us.

What Bush should say - Kerry is an opportunistic liberal who will say anything to anyone at anytime to get elected. He is wishy washy and frighteningly indecisive about using force to protect America. He will try to raise everyone's taxes. He is trying to sell doom and gloom in an effort to get votes. However, the economy is steadily improving. Saddam was a gathering threat and a cancer, to the area and the UN and the world, that had to be taken out. Despite setbacks, the situation in Iraq is improving and we must stay the course and support this difficult birth of democracy. We are killing, capturing, and thwarting terrorists in the US and around the world. And nations, like adults, cannot be concerned with being liked by France or anyone else when safety and security are at stake. (Besides France has never liked anyone anyway and almost no one else in the world really cares what France thinks, or does).

[tazannie]

my idea: as soon as Kerry starts blathering about Iraq, Bush responds: While I respect the rules of debate, I feel the issue of national security is too important to be responded to in 90 second segments. therefore I propose the following: we continue to debate on domestic issues as planned. after that, Sen. Kerry and I continue on with an unmoderated debate on Iraq and national security. we are both here, we are both prepared to speak to these issues, and if the time allotted for the debate goes overtime, so be it. this is to important for America, and it will give both me and the Senator the opportunity to to clarify our positions once and for all. The country knows my position, Sen. Kerry deserves the time and opportunity to make himself clear once and for all.

I know, I'm no speechwriter. but this could work.

[winodog]

Kerry throws away someone elses medals, drives someone elses SUV, marries someone elses wife, inherits someone elses money, we should vote for him to be P. of someone elses country.

[DaughterofEve]

I need Free Republic badly.

[jennyp]

I guess it's time to start fixing up my famous salsa for tonite's match...

JennyP's Salsa v1.1

Ingredients:

30 oz	tomato sauce (Hunt's, natch)
1/4-1/2	medium tomato
1/4-1/2 c	chopped onion (green or white)
1	jalapeño pepper
4 tbls	oregano
1 tbl	garlic
5 tbls	chopped cilantro
1 tbl	cayenne pepper
1/4-1/2	medium bell pepper
2-3 lbs	tortilla chips

Procedure:
1. Add herbs & minced vegetables to tomato sauce.
2. Let sit for 1 hour.
3. If too hot, add more bell pepper or tomato.

Oops, I gotta go out & get cilantro...

[RoseofTexas]

Ok folks, we must have faith! When all is said and done, we must put our trust in Jesus! We must have faith that God will empower W tonight and that God will give him the Victory in Nov.2!

Hebrews 11:

1What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. 2God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith. 3By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.