Posted on 10/09/2004 8:02:36 AM PDT by crushkerry
My wife is the best political analyst I know. Why? Because shes almost totally apolitical. She comes from an extremely liberal Democrat family (her folks were Clinton county chairs in New Hampshire), but inherited none of her progenitors passions. She was also raised as a traditional Catholic, and has only become more so as she has grown. Shes a licensed social worker and child therapist. She served in the Peace Corps. This is not some naïve dimwit were talking about here. But still, political matters only carry her attention for so long before she rolls her eyes and changes the channel.
The result of her eclectic influences is a strange brew of economic liberalism and hardcore social conservatism. Think of a libertarian. Then think of his exact opposite on just about every issue and youve got my wife. (But no, my wife is not a fascist!)
Okay, so last night I found her yelling back at the television during the debate (heretofore only something fetishists and junkies like I did, or my father when he was visiting oh boy, does the TV get a tongue-lashing when my father is in town.) We already know what you think, she snapped. Im getting sick of this guys repetition. This guy looks really tired. ugh!
She was, thank God, talking about Americas Most Liberal Senator, John Kerry. Hers was a helpful analysis because, as a political professional, I think in talking points. With every comment John Kerry made, I was jotting down a mental rebuttal, what I would say if I were president? All wrapped up in the moment, I sometimes forget these dog-and-pony shows are about perceptions. Who appears strong? Who appears weak? Whos stupid? Whos tired? Whos aloof?
SHE BROUGHT ME to and helpfully reminded me that President Bush looked aggressive and strong while John Kerry looked tired and condescending. (She was also creeped out, by the way, when John Kerrys mouth ran dry and he repeatedly licked his lips with a white, chafed tongue. She pointed out President Bushs weird side-to-side jaw thingy, too. But she wasnt bothered by it.)
My wife also got a genuine kick out of watching President Bush when John Kerry was talking. (Its always bad if voters are watching the other guy just sit there while you have center stage.) President Bush, famously fraternal, was winking at folks, occasionally having little side conversations with people, shooting them with his finger. Bush was more comfortable just sittin and BSn with the folks than exchanging bullet points with Captain Blab-Blab. My wife noticed and though it was cute.
BEAR IN MIND, my wife is not the typical, off-the-shelf swing voter. This is a woman who thinks abortion is murder. Prayer in school? Absolutely. Ten Commandment posted on every street corner? Thatll probably help curb crime. But at the same time, she wants more money for every government program under the sun. And recoils when told President Bush isnt funding things like No Child Left Behind and AIDS relief in Africa (a horror she has witnessed firsthand.) Moreover, she lives in Maryland, which will very likely go for John Kerry in a walk.
But her insight is nonetheless invaluable, because she didnt score the debate with a notepad and a checklist, the way we hobbyists do. She gets a feeling about the candidates. And she felt President Bush did great. And she was annoyed by John Kerry.
This has started to become a trend for her. She watched both the Bushes and the Kerrys respective visits with Dr. Phil, the pop-head shrinker (who seems a bit touched himself, if you ask me.) And she came away with a tremendously warm feeling toward the Bushes whom she said shared a genuine friendship, not just a wedded tolerance. The Kerrys? Or rather, the Heinz Kerrys? Not so lovey dovey, she tells me. Almost as though an invisible glass partition was erected between them.
WHEN GUYS LIKE SEAN HANNITY and Rush Limbaugh do their impressions of John Kerry, they exaggerate his pompous bass (or is it baritone? I dont know), always beginning each sentence with I I I. So when my wife did her own impression of Kerry in much the same fashion, intentionally deepening her voice and using stiff movements to mock him, I couldnt help but laugh out loud with glee.
I get sick of hearing him say I have a plan, she said. Then she goes into full John Kerry mode, I have a plan for this
I have a plan for that
Thats so empty. It doesnt mean anything. What is your plan and why didnt you do any of this stuff in the US Senate over the last twenty years? John Kerry is lucky he didnt debate my wife.
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT. My own mini-focus group of one. Bush cleaned his clock, at least according to one undecided, female, Catholic, social worker in Maryland who happens to be married to a professional Republican political hack. Mr. President, you have that demo locked up, my friend.
How about my tag line?
It was not only during the debate that President Bush was connecting to people in the audience, but did you notice that after the debate was over W went immediately to the audience, shaking hands, posing for pictures, smiling and talking? While I noticed Kerry first went up to the moderator and talked to him for a while. Then he talked to his wife. And FINALLY managed to mingle after that.
This isn't really a big point, debate-wise, but I love the warmth the President has one-on-one with people. While Kerry is just the opposite.
Michelle
My 19 y/old daughter watched the debate last night. She has not seen a lot of Kerry on TV before. We have talked about politics and she hears talk radio when I have it on. But last night was the first time she has seen Kerry speak for any lenght of time. She was appalled. It confirmed what she had known intellectually, but this time with a viseral gut feeling. She in her gut, she knew he was a slime ball.
Good tag line but I think we need something with even more fire to get some attention from those 'slackers' who can still be converted!!!!
"that jaw thing with Bush"
Love W, but that is starting to get on my nerves, is it a nervous tic? I hope not, maybe he's having a problem with his jaw. But its better than that blinking idiot on Tuesday, remember goldilocks and his morse code signaling with his eyes, "help me, help me, help me!" I don't know who thought that up, but it sure was funny......
Your wife sounds like a wonderfully smart woman, crushkerry.
Many women that I know (predominantly Democrat) in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties in Maryland don't care for Kerry. Seeing him as a pampered gigolo. The droning, boring, evil slimy spawn of Bill Clinton.
And yes, more than a few have mentioned Kerry's 'Snaky lick thing'. From their point of view. A completely creepy turn-off.
Jack.
Ohhhhh, my head.... so what happened last night and why am I so hungover?! ;-)
This was excellent. Well done!
Show your wife this link: President Signs Historic HIV/AIDS Initiative
Your wife was right. Kerry was BORING.
What a perfect metaphor for the Stone-age press distorting the truth for all the world to see. Just like last weeks debate where the moderator wanted to become the story and asking anti-Bush question after question. Starting Yaaawn with, would you be a better President? Whats he going to say no? Then Mr. Hate your guts President, explain your failed War! Here in a Town hall debate Charlie Glibson helps Yaawn clarify one question and then tries to corner President Bush with Charlies follow-up he had been laying in wait for.
The proud Republican looked at the Ratherforged Danosaur holding the Gate with all of his weight, trying to pin Capitalism in its box. spewing its vile flames. The young strapping cowboy sized up the situation and decided if your are going to keep that Gate closed, I will turn my steed out the Internets Gate and talk to the American People directly. He has those rare instincts of a normal person to say, if your not going to let me get my message out; then I will go talk to my people my way. What a perfect metaphor for the dying mediaCrats of the Old NY Times and ABDNCBS and Ws way of leading.
And what a message he gave! Not only did he defeat the media, he fileted Yaawn with the skill of a Champion Bass Fisherman. He turned to the people with arm extended and said, Tell Tony Blair, your going it alone, tell Berlusconi, your going it alone, tell the President of Poland Kwasniewski, your going it alone..You Cant Lead a coalition that way! Game, set.....
That was a rhetorical moment for all times.
This debate will go down as one of the Great Debates of this country. President Bush not only defeated and exposed Yaaawn Tax & Carry for the Liberal he is but exposed the press to the American People. He was masterful in his delivery and his answers were complete and from the heart. This President has one of the most complex minds that has occupied that office since Lincoln. I would say Ronald Reagan, but Yaaawn seems to mention RR at least 10 times per debate trying to sound Conservative even though he hated Reagan.
From that moment on you could see that Kerry was done. Searching for ideas and numerous times unable to come up with words. His answers were disjointed syntax and not on topic add to that his turning from the audience to lecture and dress down The President of The United States on his failed policies was way over the top.
His worst answer of all, was his answer on abortion. The beautiful young lady with the angelic face asked a question from her heart about the need to end Partial Birth Abortion? Yaawn attempts to answer it by saying he was in Vietna....no that he was a Catholic and an Alter Boy? What does being an alter boy have to do with abortion?? He fished for Dingbats work with Planned Abortionhood and then after W answered it so clearly and compassionately, Yaawn has to have a follow-up?? Why would anyone need to have a follow-up on abortion?? Abortion is not an issue that you debate with your mind. Either you believe it is a baby and death or you dont.
What a night and what an answer to Prayers. GW showed the country and the world why we Bushbots love him like only one other President, his mentor; who must have that twinkling little eye and that rosy smile, President Ronald Wilson Reagan.
Pray for W and Our Troops
The best part of that was Charlie Gibson was trying to get the President to sit down and Bush basically said "screw you" and proceded to get in Kerry's face.
EXACTLY I wish someone would call him on his so called PLAN!!
If he really does have a plan then by waiting to share it HE HIMSELF is costing American lives!! What a Jerk!
CD
ROTFL!
And I'll tell you another thing that makes me mad. I'm mad at the Democrats for giving us such an Idiot as the only other choice. We know the dems will vote for anyone besides Bush, and by chance if he does win we end up with him. The least the dems could have done is give us someone that if he does win would be acceptable, someone like a Zell Miller or someone with his caliber.
I sincerly apologize for ever having questioned your sincerity.
You are a great American!
-- A total lie from the left which I hope she does not believe. We're spending TONS of money on AIDS relief in Africa and education.
" I've also noticed that jaw thing with Bush, I don't remember him ever having it before the last couple of weeks or so. I hope everything is ok with him."
He had it during the 2000 election. It comes and goes. Probably a nervous habit.
Which I will take any day over that sickly white tongue flicking in and out.
i thought President Bush gave more money to AIDS relief than President Clinton... i was under the impression the President was big on funding AIDS relief... i was surprised when Cheney didn't really set that straight... perhaps what i thought is not true...
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