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 ...
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.
Freddie the Beadle comes up with a good one!
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...
Texosexual vs. Metrosexual
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 --
John Kerry debate strategy.
Bush showed he was the Defender of America, and Kerry showed he is a hyper-critical jerk who cannot make up his mind.
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."
I agree with you, but Lehrer did that to prop up Kerry.
That was unprofessional and typical.
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'.
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.
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?
Kerry gaining anything last night is just a liberal fantasy.
Yeah, too bad he didn't want to tell the American public about the two soldiers he met in McDonalds, LOL!
PIFFLE
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.)
I think it was a lie!
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.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.