Posted on 10/01/2004 3:55:40 AM PDT by Liz
On the day of the most im portant debate in their political lives, President Bush was in shirt sleeves consoling Florida hurricane victims, patting some on the back, hugging others and shaking hands with the tired relief workers. John Kerry had a manicure.
If ever there was a metaphor for the difference between these two candidates and their respective relationships with the American people, it was this. As The Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes put Kerry's problem so succinctly last night, "This is a man who really needs to go bowling."
For all the back and forth between the two men, the debate did nothing to change that reality. Kerry's pontifical performance was light on specifics, heavy on criticism and plagued by the inconsistencies that have characterized his positions on Iraq for more than a year.
While there were few fireworks, I suspect swing voters did come away with a few perceptions. First, Bush knows what he's trying to accomplish. He believes deeply in the rightness of the war in Iraq and its centrality to the larger War on Terror. His message is the same message voters have heard since 9/11 — we will go on the offensive to fight terrorists wherever they are found to keep this nation safe.
On the other hand, voters saw Kerry continue to struggle to define his position on the war — justifying his latest position, which is to call the war a mistake, while promising to bring new allies on board to fight for what he terms a "grand diversion."
He failed totally to make a convincing case for either his strategic vision, what there is of it, or his so-called four-point tactical plan for winning in Iraq which bears a striking resemblance to what the Bush administration is already doing.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Good point, in fact he addressed Jim personally quite often. "Well, Jim..." "Thank you, Jim..." "You see, Jim..."
Bush was so bad that after the first 5 minutes, I could barely bring myself to watch anymore. However, like most things in life, a new day brings fresh perspective.
Kerry will go down in history as 'winning the debate'; people will remember him as polished, effective public speaker. Unfortunately for Kerry, confidence got the better of him and he opened himself up to attack on some very critical issues.
For whatever reason(s), Bush did not effectively confront them during the debate. However, with 5 weeks to go, we can be assured that we'll keep hearing about Kerry's comments until election day.
It's time to look objectively at the debate, the spin and the long-term result.
Last night the challenger attacked on every issue remotely connected to foreign policy, in an obvious attempt to draw the incumbent onto the challenger's battlefield.
The President resisted the challenge, as a result occasionally looking weak and bored or tired, but NEVER looking mean, or waffle-y.
The complaints about the President are about the 'performance', i.e., 'style'. There were visual mistakes - leaning on the lecturn is a campaign rally plus but not good for a debate - but there's little doubt that the President's WORDS were effective, i.e., 'substance'. Kerry waved his long hands and fingers too much - sometimes it seemed he wanted to fly.
The 'remember' lines of the debate went to GWB...(paraphrasing)...'I am calm'....'I won't turn Americans over to the World Court'...'I am writing effective new policy for NK and I AM paying attention'...
Did Kerry have any 'remember' lines? 'Global test'....'NY subway'...'I've had one position, one consistent position'...'I can separate the troops from the war'.
On that last point, did anyone hear what Weasley Clark said when Chris Matthews asked if the troops believed that...'Some do, some don't'. Weasley knows better...which is why he didn't say 'Darn right they do!'.
Short term, Kerry helped solidify his base; long term, he didn't change the minds of people who were listening to what he said.
HE IS A LIAR LIAR can't be trusted!! He will say and do anything to be President and then will do nothing-he doesn't even show up for the job he has as senator! He's a puppet and will leave the work of President to Hillary(shudder) and the gang while he is windsurfing and getting his hair and nails done. Pretty sKerry
RE:Kerry's "Pottery Barn Rule" statement that you fix what you
Kerry trying to sound like a "regular guy" AS THOUGH he goes to a shopping mall-Kerry in a Pottery Barn-I don't think so....
No, it only governs the campaigns themselves. I was probably wrong about whether they could comment on them, but definitely the campaigns are not allowed to use the contents for ads, per their agreement with each other. Of course, as soon as one of them does *cough* dems*cough*, then it's open season.
PS I like your freeper name, my favorite handgun of all. Brings back memories of my dad and my early days in the navy.
BTTT
Wait a minute... sKerry DOES have a "plan"... ... --->"Have a Summit"... I kind of get the idea it would be similar to the United Nations...
Been there... done that...
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