Posted on 10/08/2004 10:53:39 PM PDT by flashbunny
October 9, 2004 -- BUSH is back!
The president finally showed the guts, determination and focus that earned him victories in the three debates with Al Gore. He finally did his homework. He focused on his briefing points and mobilized his rhetoric to win the second debate.
It was Reagan-Mondale all over again. In the first debate of 1984, Walter Mondale soundly defeated Ronald Reagan, and in the process raised questions about the elderly president's metal acuity. In the first debate of 2004, Kerry's victory raised worries about President Bush's mental acuity. But in the second debate of his re-election year, Reagan rebounded through his humor to reassure the doubters. Twenty years later, Bush recovered through his aggressiveness to make clear that he is still the president, still the man.
Bush won even in the domestic-policy part of the debate a victory that was as unlikely as John Kerry's win in last week's confrontation on foreign issues. By explaining his tax-cut policies and hanging John Edwards' trial-lawyer record around Kerry's neck, he rebutted the Democratic attacks and made his own record visible and showcased it compellingly.
---- snip ----
Will the debate influence the election? Bush's responses and his policies won. He will emerge stronger for this debate. A tied race will likely revert to a Bush edge. Can Bush maintain it? Can he go through the final debate, on domestic policy, and keep his advantage?
He had a good workout in this debate. He learned how to handle Kerry not only on foreign issues, but on domestic issues as well. Bush is on his way.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Uh oh.
Your links don't work (unless Dick Morris is talking about AR-15's)
http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/29969.htm
Thats the real link
I have a love/hate thing for Dick Morris, though between watching Fahrenhype 9/11 last night and this column today, I'm more on the love side right now. :)
I think the huge portion of Freepers have the same reaction to Dick Morris I do. Whenever Dick Morris brings "good news", there is always a gut reaction of panic. Why? Because no one in the business is wrong more often than Dick. The odds are high that reality is the opposite of whatever he says it is.
Don't worry about it, its the alignment of stars in a far away galaxy affecting the neurons of pundits. The Fox All Schmucks got it wrong and Morris got it right.
Morris is right....Bush was powerful and Kerry was a waffling elitist jerk, haunted by his own lack of soul.
sorry, I screwed up on that one.
See, that's why I rarely post articles!
This time, though, we all just watched the debate. I've been feeling positive all night because of Bush's performance, and I think Dick is right here.
And Kerry looked into his.
Could come in handy, for the next time he's attacked by a Clinton.
Someone, PLEASE, give me a brief rundown of the debate. I missed the entire thing due to unavoidable circumstances. Thanks,ML.
It is about to start on MSNBC. A summary...Bush kicked ass.
What Theyre Saying About President Bushs Decisive Victory
NBCs Tom Brokaw: Well, I Think that the President stepped up his game tonight, and I think that he came with a game plan in mind, and tried to execute it on that stage.
ABCs George Stephanopoulos: I Think President Bush was most effective, is when he brought people into the Oval Office, talked about meeting with the Iraqi Finance Minister, talking about going to the Situation Room and talking to General Tommy Franks, and then, finally, also, bringing up Senator Kerrys Senate record. But you did see, I think, a lot of skill out there tonight.
USA Today: Bush appeared more relaxed and forceful.
The New York Times Katharine Q. Seelye: The format served [President Bush] well. He looked comfortable and sounded confident.
NBCs Tim Russert: George Bush was more energetic.
New York Times columnist David Brooks: So I think overall, the effect of the debate will to be to give the Bush campaign a boost.
Columbus, OH Undecided Voter Lisa on CNN: I was kind of on the border, but after hearing both candidates tonight, I think that Ive kind of swayed over to Bushs side.
The Weekly Standards Stephen Hayes: I would say that President Bush won the debate, and for me, it was actually a rather decisive win.
I'm with you. Morris is kind of a wanker, but I enjoy hearing his views - he knows his stuff.
moderator fixed it now.
Bush Won.
Debate summary:
kerry was nuanced. GWB was presidential.
Kerry was the bug, GWB was the windshield.
He might have a bad track record, but I know what I saw tonight: A major Bush turnaround and a major Bush win. I think this debate was a disaster for Kerry. The lines he used to such great effect the first night were simply parrotted tonight, this time with an actual response from Bush. It not only exposed his performance tonight, it lets the air out of what I saw as a win last week.
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