Posted on 09/30/2004 9:04:32 PM PDT by West Coast Conservative
Ping just in case you have not seen this!
My thoughts too.
He's just a little "too" smooth.
Don't think he's playing too well in Middle America...
Having said that, I do hope that GWB, Rove, et al., take nothing for granted from this point on. The "bringing 40 minutes of material" comments posted here by my fellow FReepers are dead on point.
Bush needs to dodge a Kerry knockout punch, true--but as many have articulately pointed out here already, he cannot remain on perpetual defense. He's gotta be assertive when describe what he's done and what he plans to do, in short, he needs to be a passionate defender of policies and the core values/beliefs behind them.
Thing is, if you're listening Karl, Bush needs to be super-prepared and completely familiar with the facts, etc., he needs to BE well-coached without being too well-coached. Look at the Bush interview with O'Reilly (don't get me started on him...) He's calm, comfortable, and in complete command of the facts...he appeared to speak "off the cuff" as if sitting with long time friends talking over coffee or a beer.
It seems that Bush, like many of us, gets "spooked" when he's overly coached and, put in a position where he cannot simply his affable self. Granted, Bush is not the slickest speaker to begin with, but he's a much more effective communicator in less contrived settings. When engaged in a conversation, discussion, interview or any other give and take--whether it be with a supporter of detractor, a politician, reporter or average citizen, in a formal or informal setting--Bush is much more engaged and on point.
When a large part of his focus is consumed with instructions to do this, do that, don't do this, don't do that, say this, don't say that, etc., ad infinitum, Bush is much shakier. His confidence and cool virtually vanish and he appears to be everything from bored and/or angry to "lost" or even flat out stupid.
Mr. Rove is no doubt a genius at what he does, but he and the rest of the president's handlers need to remember that Bush struggles when he is artificially and/or unnaturally forced to make this point or that point on the one hand, while remembering various style do's and don'ts, in addition to memorizing a multitude of John Kerry statements, positions and quotes, not to mention his own facts, figures and talking points.
I hope that between now and the second debate next Friday night, Rove, Hughes, Matlin, et al., point President Bush in the right direction--coach him without putting any undue pressure on him.
Likewise, I hope that the president will hunker down and do his homework. He missed multiple opportunities to refute points Kerry made during last night's debate. President Bush conceded far too much, he could have closed the deal last night but didn't. Bush's job between now and 10/8 is to master his material to the point that it's matter-of-fact and then take the stage next Friday and BE HIMSELF!
Mr. Rove, let Bush be Bush and he wins.
MR
SF
USA
Lockhart is a Clinton man. When it comes time to explain it to the boss, I'm sure she will say he did very well.
Jazzy,
I'm pretty sure I heard it on Fox this morning.
My opinion is that Kerry will do worse next debate for these reasons:
No softball questions coming from town hall people.
No time limit so he will go back to speaking ad nauseum.
The expectation bar will have been raised back up.
Yes, a DRAW would be a "win" for these guys.... but that won't stop the spin...
and every New Yorker knows this. Bet the farm this flaming obviously false statement was intended to hurt Kerry in the long run...say 2008.
Bump!
Whew, I feel SO much better!
LOL! I feel better too after reading your post!
I agree.
You know, I had to laugh when he said that. I live in Boston. (Forgive me! We moved here with the USAF!) If I remember correctly, some of the subway system here was shut down during the DNC, as well as some streets and highways in the area. They also told city workers to stay home, to minimize the congestion and traffic due to the reduced routes. It pissed everyone here off...but...Kerry neglected to menton that, of course.
To answer your question: ZERO
But, then again, I'm not a girlie man, like sKerry.......
I agree!! It would have been great for the President to walk over and punch that SOB sKerry. If he did, it would have been a 50 State sweep for the Prez!!
sKerry can NOT defend his record in the Senate. It has been a dismal failure. The only thing he is enthused about, is voting for tax increases, which he has done 350 times. Sad isn't it?? Even the Clinton White House considered sKerry a "back bencher".
BTW: Thank you for your service to our country, Staff Sgt!!
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