Posted on 09/28/2002 4:10:06 PM PDT by windchime
1. McBride was negative; Bush was positive. A standard ploy of all challengers is to point out the failings of the incumbent. The problem for McBride is that the incumbent has made great strides in righting Florida's ship.
Bush did an excellent job pulling the teeth from McBride's argument. Are there problems in the schools? Yes, but the situation is better than it was and continuing to improve.
2. Appearance. McBride had on the better suit and tie, but his clothes don't fit well and he looks uncomfortable. Jeb's suit fit well, but a darker color would have been better for TV. Others may disagree, adhering to the 'earth tones' theory (grin).
McBride was uncomfortable in the debate. He smile looked 'frozen' and more a grimace than a grin. Bush was more relaxed - serious but friendly. McBride's hand waving distracted viewers from his message. His speech is halting, not from a speech impediment, I think, but more the case of a candidate trying to remember what comes next in the memorized text.
3. McBride tried the typical Dem ploy of portraying himself as a 'man of the people' with his story of picking oranges. This was a not so subtle attempt to contrast his background with Jeb's. Bush, however, was MUCH smarter than the average Republican, and did not allow himself to be drawn into that discussion.
This has probably been mentioned elsewhere, but McBride managed to work in a reference to the military, again subtly reminding viewers he is a Veteran.
McBride also tried this tactic by repeating that Bush must not have been out in public or in schools or he would agree with McBride. Again, Bush did not allow himself to be tagged with the 'I care more than you do' argument. Bush brilliantly turned this on McBride by relating specific stories about schools, naming names (always a good idea!), showing he is in touch with the people he serves.
The person who prepped Bush about the traffic situation earned a raise. Excellent rebuttal, given with humor and without stumbling around for an answer.
4. McBride's lack of experience as a practicing lawyer was evident in his closing argument....his was weak and lacking specifics. He did not do the ONE thing all challengers have to do: give the viewer a reason to vote FOR him, rather than AGAINST Bush.
Bush, OTOH, had an excellent closing argument. He carefully blended his past triumphs with pointing out that more needed to be done. In other words, he gave the viewer a reason to vote FOR him.
I could go on (grin), but I won't. McBride's lack of experience in business AND government was evident. Bush was calm and controlled, but 'warm'. It's difficult to project that in such a setting, but he pulled it off.
"Gov. Jeb Bush's cool confidence in his record rose above maverick Democrat Bill McBride's nervousness and difficulty with detail in their first head-to-head confrontation." (Orlando Sentinel)
"The governor succeeded in his key goal: tagging his opponent as 'vague' about a number of important issues as the folksy McBride spoke in sweeping generalities." (Orlando Sentinel)
"McBride appeared flummoxed by [the hate crimes and environment] questions, offering little in the way of experience or ideas for the future." (Tampa Tribune)
"McBride didn't practice for the debate and it showed." (Sun Sentinel)
"In response to a question about hate crimes, McBride gave a fuzzy answer about treating everyone equally, while Bush spoke with specifics about visiting a Muslim mosque in Pinellas County." (St. Pete Times)
McBride "flubbed several lines, offered halting opening and closing statements, delivered mostly in a drooping monotone, and did little to silence critics who accuse him of lacking substance." (Miami Herald)
"McBride, at the same time, froze when confronted with questions to which he isn't accustomed. He fumbled the hate-crimes question, finally settling on a vague remark on people who are mistreated 'because of who they are.' On the environment, McBride could offer only a vague suggestion that he would bring people together." (Miami Herald)
Debate Moderator Michael Putney on WPLG-TV after the debate: "I think both candidates had their innings both candidates did score some points, but frankly I thought that Bill McBride was a little flat a little unfocused at times and I think he really had more to gain from a good showing tonight then Jeb Bush...Bill McBride needed to show that he had a good command of Florida's government and mostly he did, but there were a few times when maybe he did not."
Bendix also played Babe Ruth in a movie and starred in “Wake Island”.
Good character actor!
Re: Crime, McBride remarked that crime = robbin' people. This guy's a simpleton and I can't figure out how he became managing partner unless his wife got him the job. I think they probably shared clients and that's why he doesn't mention his wife.
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