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KERRY DIDN'T GET IT DONE
NY POST ^ | October 1, 2004 | DAVID WINSTON , ROLL CALL

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 ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: firstdebate
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Comment #1 Removed by Moderator

To: Liz

I said last night, and I'll say it again, I think Kerry's position of bilateralism on N.Korea threw Lehrer off a little.

It was at this point he stopped both Bush and Kerry and asked them again to clarify their positions.

I think Lehrer thought Kerry had not articulated his position correctly and it threw him for a loop when Kerry (who was preaching multi-national involvement) started criticizing mult-national involvement in N.Korea and talking about bilateral talks.


2 posted on 10/01/2004 4:00:42 AM PDT by dawn53
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To: Liz
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."

Freddie the Beadle comes up with a good one!

3 posted on 10/01/2004 4:01:42 AM PDT by martin_fierro (A v v n c v l v s M a x i m v s)
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To: Liz
Pretty well sums it up. I would add that the Kerry contradictions will make for some fine ads and talk radio talking points.

My favorite: The man who accused his brothers in arms of atrocity now saying we must "separate the war from the warrior". The only reason he says that now is to cover his backside as he goes Dean on Iraq.

What a putz.
4 posted on 10/01/2004 4:01:53 AM PDT by M1911A1
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To: dawn53

It seems to me that Kerry "won" this debate, but ultimately he has thrown open several cans of worms for himself with his position on N. Korea, Iran, and that "Global Test" garbage. In the end, I suspect the GOP will take those worms and throw them back in his face...


5 posted on 10/01/2004 4:03:24 AM PDT by Paradox (Occam was probably right.)
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To: Liz
On the day of the most important 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.

Texosexual vs. Metrosexual

6 posted on 10/01/2004 4:04:11 AM PDT by martin_fierro (A v v n c v l v s M a x i m v s)
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To: dawn53

Lookee here

http://www.johnkerry.com/mediacorps/

Immediately e-mail and call all the major networks and programs listed below saying that Kerry won tonight's debate. The Republicans are going to do everything possible to spin the debate in their favor. We need you on the offensive --


7 posted on 10/01/2004 4:05:06 AM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry has been AWOL on issues of national security for two decades)
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To: dawn53

John Kerry debate strategy.

8 posted on 10/01/2004 4:06:33 AM PDT by isthisnickcool (Only dummies play poker with George W. Bush.)
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To: dawn53; Liz

Bush showed he was the Defender of America, and Kerry showed he is a hyper-critical jerk who cannot make up his mind.


9 posted on 10/01/2004 4:13:15 AM PDT by SkyPilot
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To: isthisnickcool

Kerry's superior diplomacy:"Dear allies come send troops and funds to help us win this wrong war at the wrong time in the wrong place..You will be nice "window dressing"...It is merely a diversion."


10 posted on 10/01/2004 4:16:23 AM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry has been AWOL on issues of national security for two decades)
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To: dawn53

I agree with you, but Lehrer did that to prop up Kerry.
That was unprofessional and typical.


11 posted on 10/01/2004 4:16:54 AM PDT by mabelkitty (Troll-Patrol! You've been warned.)
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To: Paradox
It seems to me that Kerry "won" this debate

Nah... he didn't win... Bush was just... just bad.

They ain't debates... they're question & answer sessions judged by style and delivery.

Bush flunked the latter badly... and he got a 'C' on the questions & answers. In short, he came close to 'stinkin' out the house'.

12 posted on 10/01/2004 4:17:50 AM PDT by johnny7 (“You talkin' bout' the Queen again Bob? ON INDEPENDENCE DAY?!!” -'Little Bill'(The Unforgiven))
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To: Paradox

From Drudge:

Unbeknownst to Kerry adviser Mike McCurry, a C-SPAN camera quietly followed McCurry as he found Kerry adviser Joe Lockhart on Spin Alley floor and asked him his impression of the debate. Lockhart candidly said to McCurry , “The consensus is it was a draw.”


13 posted on 10/01/2004 4:18:23 AM PDT by mabelkitty (Troll-Patrol! You've been warned.)
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To: dawn53
Did anyone but me take offense to the story of the two soldiers who approached him in the airport and said "we need you"?

First of all, to have both the people in the military who support Kerry, in the same place at the same time is a stretch. Secondly, Kerry travels by private jet, and wouldn't be caught dead in an airport. Even if he were in an airport, does anyone really think that the "common people" could actually approach him?

14 posted on 10/01/2004 4:18:38 AM PDT by anoldafvet (If France was our enemy, what would be different?)
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To: Paradox
How can you say he won? He didn't clarify anything. He just spewed the same old anti-American flip-flopping crap. "I have a plan", "I have a plan" well damned if anybody knows what it is - including you Mr. Kerry.

Kerry gaining anything last night is just a liberal fantasy.

15 posted on 10/01/2004 4:18:39 AM PDT by Musket
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To: anoldafvet

Yeah, too bad he didn't want to tell the American public about the two soldiers he met in McDonalds, LOL!


16 posted on 10/01/2004 4:20:54 AM PDT by dawn53
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To: johnny7

PIFFLE


17 posted on 10/01/2004 4:21:59 AM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry has been AWOL on issues of national security for two decades)
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To: dawn53

That is what I said to my wife, Kerry wants to use other nations in Iraq, (but only because he claims Bush didn't), and he doesn't want to use other nations in N. Korea, ( because Bush does.)


18 posted on 10/01/2004 4:23:04 AM PDT by stockpirate (Kerry; supported by, financed by, trained by, guided by, revered by, in favor of, Communists.)
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To: anoldafvet

I think it was a lie!


19 posted on 10/01/2004 4:24:21 AM PDT by stockpirate (Kerry; supported by, financed by, trained by, guided by, revered by, in favor of, Communists.)
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To: Paradox

As stated in another Post I too didnt think President Bush performed well , but Kerry made some of the damndest statements I have ever heard and Mr. Bush let him get away with them. I almost spit coke on my screen when Kerry said he was steadfast.


20 posted on 10/01/2004 4:24:22 AM PDT by sgtbono2002 (I aint wrong, I aint sorry , and I am probably going to do it again.)
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