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

[Admin Moderator]

Thread 1 - Pre-Debate discussion

[Lee Shore]

Not at all a no-brainer. The use of a nuclear weapon by terrorists leaves the problem of where to retaliate. Terrorists are not a country.

[comebacknewt]

W is down on Tradesports as well.

Yesterday's close was 66. Before the debates today, he rose to nearly 70, but he is currently down to 64.

[FastCoyote]

"Did anyone catch Bush remark, that we will stay the course with the all volunteer forces. This killed the Secret Draft and no response from Kerry. Bush did OK tonight - Kerry boring."

Great point. I'm feeling better. Kerry opened a can of worms with the nuclear stuff, Bush closed the door on the draft, and nailed Kerry as a Globalist. Lots of good things happened that weren't at first obvious.

[Freemyland]

"Global test" won't help, either.

[camboianchristmas]

This nation would survive a Kerry presidency. We are a great nation much more in spite of our leaders than because of them. A Kerry presidency would last 4 years. That's the blink of an eye in historical perspective.
That maybe true; however, I would remind you of the tragedies brought about by the Clinton administration. We are still paying for his failures to execute the security of our country. Kerry could very well handover the reins in a matter of speaking to the UN. That is a dangerous notion.

[Solar Wind]

"I watched it and I was frankly distressed not so much about missed opportunities or the "unpreparedness". I was distressed at how disturbed President Bush looked at many points when Kerry was spinning responses. I thought he would be more cool and collected and in command. That is how Kerry will be perceived as winning the debate.

BUT! Kerry also failed because it appears he was trying desperately to completely turn the tables and on Pres. Bush by labeling him as a flip-flopper while portraying himself as steadfast. THAT WAS THE USED CAR PITCH THAT ABSOLUTELY FELL FLAT. COUPLE THAT WITH NOT HAVING GIVEN ANY DIFFERENT IRAQ PLAN AND HIS APPEARANCE AS SIMPLY A CRITIC AND BACKSEAT DRIVER AND JFK CLEARLY FAILED IN WHAT HE NEEDED TO DO IN THIS DEBATE. No fundamentals of the race are changed."

Good assessment. I was a bit troubled by how rattled Bush seemed in the first part of the debate. He did recover in the second half. He has a lot on his shoulders and he knows that the future of our country is riding on if he can win this election. That is a bigger burden than any of us has had to carry.

On the other hand I roared when Jim asked him "If Kerry wins..." and Bush shot back "Its not going to happen."

You clarified what Kerry was trying to do. It was quite an uphill climb for him to reverse perceptions and he did not pull it off. Bush, like a hedgehog stuck to his few points and hammered them home well.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Well, thank you. : ) I don't know you yet, but my first impression is great! (I love your name.)

[cyncooper]

I thought some of his questions were outrageous and the way he phrased them, too.

[nopardons]

Thanks for posting that...it's long past the overdue mark,for it. :-)

And I'm so happy to see that lots of other people haves been giving you,my dear,old friend,lots of well deserved kudos.

[FastCoyote]

"I just got home. Missed it all. Who won?"

First impression, tie or slight edge Kerry on the question of "who won the debate". But, Kerry set himself up in a number of ways with some loaded statements, so I suspect Bush will end up winning the long term assessment.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"And yes, you have every right to be heard, particularly if you have something new to say. But you don't have the right to yell 'fire!' in a crowded theater.. and this forum is *very* crowded. "

So I should check 1st to see if something is new before I post?

Check with who?

Maybe you can start a fact clearing thread for everyone.

Or did you mean just me?

Or just me and other Viet Nam vets?

[easonc52]

skerry = flip flop

President Bush = heart and soul

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Can't you just set up to load "no pictures or graphics" and speed it all up?

Depends on the browser!

If he is using AOL, maybe not!

I've heard AOL is gowdawful slow....

[Robert_Paulson2]

kerry PROVED HIMSELF tonigh alright...



as a skilled and nuanced sh$t_sculptor of his same old kerry "global test foreign policy" of surrender to terrorists.

Americans don't want another skilled excrement artist.
slick don't get it in a war time.

W and his direct, stammering repetitive plainspeech... gets the point across.

and every terrorist on the planet knows W has his cross hairs on their ass every morning when he gets up and NOWHERE is safe as long as W is the man.

and every soccer mommy in america knows it too.
crap still stinks, even after you poor perfume and paint on it.

[SolomoninSouthDakota]

You bring a light smile to my face! Yes I am too ambivalent and worried. The Pres. looked too dismayed for my taste. But, the polls have been great for him so I started the evening feeling pretty good and being back on line and seeing reasoning now taking over from the emotion of the debate........well things still look good. Thanks for noticing.

[nopardons]

But it should! You're a lovely person and usually a very funny and insightful poster.

[Blowtorch]

The President also avoided bashing and let Kerry come across as the attack dog. Note that he went right back to speaking to his base out in the heartland.

I think Bush was advised to focus on primarily addressing the American people and not Kerry's attacks. This is in line with your observations. However, I can't help but think that Bush went too far that way...He missed real opportunities to refute Kerry's lies. However, everyone already knows Kerry is a liar, so it may not matter.

I think in the upcoming days people will look back at the debate and see that Bush is like one of us and talks to us, while Kerry just derides and lies, derides and lies.

[celtic gal]

I agree..nothing is going to stand in her way to try to be President..it is amazing how quiet the Clintons are duing this campaing for Kerry.

So I suppose if Kerry gets the WH (gag) then I guess something will have to be done to disgrace the K/E team...

[Reb Raider]

You said that quite well and I appreciate the way you thoughtfully laid out what is going on. I am used to the media slanting the news, but tonight has been brutal. The dems and media have bashed Bush for his debate performance and then the pubs have added to the misery. I certainly didn't get any respite on FR tonight. I don't think people are moles just because they didn't think Bush did good, but I think a little perspective like you provided was needed! Thanks!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Awwwww. Thanks, np. (((hugs)))