FR Live Thread: Bush Kerry - First Debate - Thread 2 - Here we go!

[Admin Moderator]

Thread 1 - Pre-Debate discussion

[Gunder]

What's the link for that Iowa Electronic Markets site? I've been curious about that place for a while now, but never checked it out.

[SolomoninSouthDakota]

I thought maybe it was just me. I'd never heard of such a rule.

[MHGinTN]

John Edwards isn't going to move aside for Hatelary Rodhamster in 2008.

[GraceofGod]

"Bush. plain and simple. same as when he was elected. same as he was on 911. Every friggen terrorist slammie knows his ass is in the crosshairs EVERY DAY, until bush is replaced by the next president. EVERY american knows it too."

I agree; No matter what the ranters and ravers are saying on TV.. We know it and I think more people know it than we realize at this point. G'night all!

[conservative in nyc]

President Bush did not get BULLDOZED in the debate. He held his own against repeated negative attacks from John Kerry. John Kerry made a lot of factual mistakes, on matters big and small. And that's Kerry's ultimate "nuanced" downfall --- he talks too much out of his rear end. Kerry may sound like he understands what he's talking about, but he doesn't. That will be pointed out in the coming days. For example:

-The cost of the war in Iraq so far has been far less than $200,000,000;
-Kerry told another story about places in the Soviet Union where he couldn't have been;
-Kerry has said that the administration has LIED on Iraq on numerous occasions, despite his protestations to the contrary; and
-The New York City subways were NEVER closed as a result of the RNC. ALL New York subways ran normally, and even stopped at Penn Station, underneath Madison Square Garden. He was thinking of BOSTON, which is run by a timid Democrat.

Sure, the President missed a couple of opportunities to hammer Kerry on his Senate record. He should have used Zell's list of programs Kerry wanted cut to prove Kerry is weak on defense. He should have said that he has always had a plan on Iraq and outlined the broader war on terror.

But the President did okay. That's all that matters. He's leading in the polls. Nothing from this debate will change that.

[Robert_Paulson2]

well put.
nobody questions where W stands.

nobody can nail down where kerry stands. (head scratching??)

that makes a nation at war, already nervous... even moreso about a kerry presidency.

global test kerry did himself no favors tonight.
nuanced excrement still stinks, no matter how skilled the sh#t-sculptor is.

and truth trumps crap.
every time, in America.

[fortheDeclaration]

Remember everyone, one thing shows clear in the history of pres. elections. It takes something a little extraordinary to convince the American public to throw out an incumbent pres. let alone a war time pres. IMHO there is nothing extraordinary shown about JFK or about anything he might do different. Nothing changed tonight.

Hey SSD I am very impressed!

You are usually very worried about things!

[nopardons]

Not surprisingly,you and I had the same thoughts and are,no doubt,just as angry about this.

[COEXERJ145]

http://www.biz.uiowa.edu/iem/

[goldstategop]

Let's remember Gerald Ford's gaffe on Poland didn't hurt him til after considerable reflection. In the cold light of day, Kerry's remarks about nuclear fuel to Iran and no bunker buster bombs will be seen as policy initiatives from the Twilight Zone.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thanks!

[Happy2BMe]

It wasn't Bush's best night by a long shot. But I think he's got enough momentum built up to overcome any negative perceptions people might try and squeeze out of this debate.

It's by far too early to sit back and think the battle if over.

[traviskicks]

I agree with your assement. I think Bush's political advisors are killing him, just like they killed Reagan. Notice he did his best when he was talking about his daughters and talking 'off-cue'. He needs to speak from his heart and stop over analyzing all this stuff and wearing this leash that his advisors put on him to stop him from 'screwing up'. Damn I felt like I could have done better out there..... 'course it is easy to monday morning quarterback.

[Freemyland]

My apologies to whoever it was on here that first mentioned Joe Lockhart saying the debate was a draw. I just read it on "The Corner", and it is on Drudge also. Apparently a C-SPAN camera caught Lockhart saying that to Mike McCurry. Of course, Lockhart's on the record position will be that it was a big Kerry win, but we now know his real thoughts.

[Gunder]

thanks.

[fortheDeclaration]

The problem is you cannot correct a lie that quickly, espically when they are being mixed up with other issues.

The American people will see that Kerry is about the UN not the US.

[netmilsmom]

Oh, well at the Pottery Barn type places that you or I would hang out at, the rule is "You break it/You bought it."

Apparently the signs are different in the Hamptons.

[cyncooper]

Um, you do understand that I was citing what Lockhart was caught saying privately, right?

Are you going to believe his candid comment or the one he says for the teevee camera? Hmmmmmm?

LOL

[MagnumRancid]

Call 'em as I see 'em.

[traviskicks]

"Prediction Two: The Bushies will be a little down. Every time Kerry opened his mouth, conservatives thought of the eight different responses and attacks that they wanted to see, and Bush mostly didn't use them. Bush focused almost entirely on principles tonight, not policies."

yea I don't get it.... Why couldn't he use them? They're right! So frustrating watching him sit there and take it.