Posted on 10/09/2004 9:23:13 AM PDT by MarlboroRed
Weird theory, but I have thought that too. Kinda hard to think he purposely didn't KO Kerry in the first debate tho. But if you think about it, Florida's hurricanes have put it out of play in the traditional sense. When the president spent his first debate day caring for them, and then ending up on stage looking and debating "tired", they obviously forgave him for it. It may have actually worked to his advantage....sorta like saying to them that "you are more important".....So he helps himself in that state by being unselfish, saves money and time to boot to campaign elsewhere.....Brilliant!!!
I think the first debate was just a mistake. It was not "strategery". Bush had the momentum going into it, and if he had trounced Kerry then, he could have put away the election right then and there. This way he has to continue to fight every step of the way until election day.
The problem was that they convinced Bush that he "must not attack". That was very poor advice.
Bush MUST "attack", i.e. point out the truth, that Kerry IS UNFIT to be president both due to his record and lack thereof, and his character.
LOOK at Kerry's record: 20 years in the Senate, as one of 100, NO leadership position, or any demonstrated leadership ability. Most Presidents at least have been governors before, had some responsibility, they at least ran a state. Just this alone should make anyone very doubtful about putting Kerry in as president, when we already have a seasoned President, who proved himself during the most critical times.
THEN, add to that, Kerry's actual record:
All Kerry did is sit in the Senate and cast so many liberal votes, that he became THE most liberal Senator in the entire Senate, voting against defense systems, against intelligence budget and FOR tax increases.
Bush hit a lot of good themes, but he still didn't talk very effectively. His statement about Hussein abusing the oil-for-food program was incomprehensible for anyone who didn't already know about it. His explanation for how the economy was already sliding down hill when he took office was not too clear and didn't explain how the stock market bubble was responsible for those budget surpluses of the late 90's. Kerry also tried to connect himself to the 90's budget surpluses, as though he did something to create them. Bush let him get away with that.
He let Kerry say he voted against the partial birth abortion bill because it didn't have an exception for the life of the mother, when those procedures are not done to save the life of the mother. He again didn't rebut the lie that they forced Shinseki to retire early. He also didn't have much response to the questionable claim that lawsuits are only 1% of healthcare costs. He should state flatly that Kerry's numbers on the budget don't add up - they assume some mysterious healthcare "savings" of a few hundred billion. He also didn't bring up Kerry's long anti-defense record including opposition to the Gulf War, which met all of Kerry's criteria for going to war - U.N. approval, French participation etc.
Kerry also repeatedly said Bush "pushed away" our allies, which is ridiculous. Bush invited France and Germany and Russia to participate but they were implacably opposed, and were on the take from Saddam. He has to hit Kerry hard on his suggestion that inviting French and German companies in to Iraq, i.e. bribing them, is a positibe step.
I don't think I'm being nitpicking. Bush throws a punch or two, but they're more jabs than left hooks, and Kerry ususually has a few jabs back. And I think he scored with his class warfare rhetoric.
Yeah, where was Fred last night? How come he waits until today to say what we all saw, what we all knew was true?
Methinks perhaps it was because he wanted to see what the consensus was as to not appear a fool in case he was wrong?
I watched the debate early this morning, and was back to being thrilled.
Maybe Fred was up past his bedtime, and was feeling a little cranky.
Where in the article does he say Bush won? Bush did a lot better than the first debate, that's all.
I agree. Florida is no longer in play for Kerry. W's got that one in the bag. Now, he must focus on Ohio, PA, and Wisconsin. Perhaps Michigan also which is a tie in latest polls.
I agree that my theory is weird, but don't underestimate the brilliance of the Bush/Cheney team. You are correct in pointing out that the time President Bush spent with the folks in Florida (THE key state) may have brought more votes his way then a "good" first debate. Interesting things to think about. :>)
Impressions like that win the Presidency.
" The whole Fox team last night seemed paralyzed by fear that someone might accuse them of thinking Bush had won the debate.
I was incredulous at first. Then angry.
Then I went elsewhere.
Fox needs to remember those who brung them to the dance."
Couldn't have said it any better.
The FOX panel was horrendous-they were tone deaf, as they were during the VP debate.
MSNBC had on Ron Silver-his commentary made it worthwhile to suffer through Ballet Boy's head bobbing and overacting and eye fluttering.
If FOX keeps this up- they'll lose more viewers than they attract.
I usually love Fred but I was quite disappointed with his comments on Bush on TV last night. The pundits unfortunately often *shape* public reaction and I couldn't fathom why his comments were so tentative about Bush's performance. (Bill Kristol and especially Mort Kondracke were even worse! I thought the Fox panel lost their collectives minds last night!
I have to disagree with you. He just can't do a tit for tat and have that be an effective rebuttal. But I do agree that he should have spent a little more time about the UN thing, that is so outrageous and is the one thing that can totally decimate Kerry, an UNron scandal. Maybe not.
I mean.....is there a downside to bashing France, Russia, China, etc? (uniter, not divider) But, e-gads!*^%$!! HEY look at HOW MANY of them were on the take! This is SO MONUMENTAL, and I'm beginning to believe that we ARE alone in the world.....when so many of our "friends" treat us and the world this way, turning a blind eye to the degradation of mass murder, rape....Are people getting so desensitized to EVIL? Its all just a big Y A W N
Maybe the end is near. I mean c'mon people,
WE HAVE BEEN BETRAYED and its like, nobody cares
Kerry throws away someone elses medals,let someone else take his place for 8 months in nam, drives someone elses SUV, marries someone elses wife, inherits someone elses money,has someone elses plans, we should vote for him to be President of someone elses country.
Feel free to add more to that paragraph. I got it from the newspaper. I think it makes a great soundbite.
I saw both debates and there was a big difference in President Bush's demeanor that was noticeable almost immediatly last night. I think the prayers of the saints were the difference. It was almost like watching two different people.
How come I did not hear the "Do you feel it was a mistake to meet with North Vietnam government officials in Paris during the war" (1972) or the "Will you sign the Form 180" question to Kerry from Gibson.
Bush was more effective than you give him credit for, although I can't jump into the minds of undecideds and I don't care to. He mentioned the stock market crash and declining economy prior to his election a couple of times, and this emphasis caught my attention, as did his pounding on how raising taxes during a recession is a stupid thing to do.
First and foremost, he really did fire up the "base" and that is extremely important.
This was an excellent performance and considering that he was going after a lawyer with proven debate skills stemming back to his Ivy league college days, we should all be proud that President Bush not only stood ground, but cleaned up pretty well.
My only biggy concern amounted to the fact that President Bush did not give the Republican congress credit for the many accomplishments of the recent past - including the balanced budget and the reform of Welfare during Clinton's term. He let Kerry get away with taking some credit for things that did or did not happen the late 90's (Medicare reform?) that struck me as ludicrous. It seems like the Bush team has calculated that promoting the Republican congress isn't a good idea, but boy do I disagree. This will be win-win for himself and the party. For example, does he campaign for Thule in South Dakota?
What was really heartwarming to me was that it truly appeared that Bush was using arguments that bubbled up from conservative press, talk shows & internet forums. This is exactly what needs to happen.
I think a lot of the Florida Carpet Baggers from up North, will be leaving as soon as the Hurricane season is over, and they get the check to replace their house. Next. Remember the old saw. " The Best Defense is a good offense"
I had to work last night. Missed the debate on TV but listened to it on the radio. The President WON HANDS DOWN!
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