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 ...
Who came across more like a hall monitor for 3rd graders than a presidential debate moderaator.
I just don't see how you can say that and no one besides we partisans are saying that. Yes, the Dim spin machine was in full gear last night, but I watched the debate and shut if off before the spin machine kicked in. I had a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach during the entire debate. We can't delude ouselves into thinking this was a good thing when I see no upside to it whatsoever. Perhaps I'm being alarmist, but as I have been saying all morning, this election is too important to lose. We now have to outperform these people the entire rest of the pre-election period and being a kool-aid drinker about the President's performance last night is not going to get us there.
You noticed that too? I saw it and actually commented on it to my wife. Ter-ray-za seemed to not want to let go of Laura and then Kerry literally pulled her away. Laura turned her back and walked away and it seemed Ter-ray-za was still reaching out to her. I think I'll go find the tape and watch it again to see if it went down as you and I remember.
The questions were biased in their presentation, questioning Bush intently on his record and intentions, and giving Kerry virtual free reign to do the same.
Lehrer was a disgrace. The silver lining, however, in this approach was its predictability and boredom. No one who is not a political junkie (and even those of us who are -- including myself) could make it through an hour and a half.
Luckily in the next month President Bush will be seen in venues that are more to his advantage (speaking at rallies, with foreign leaders, etc.) and Senator Kerry will be seen in venues that are less to his advantage (anything not resembling a debating society/simultaneous full body massage).
Another thing we have to remember about President Bush is that he simply does not engage in body blows with his opponent. He kills with kindness.
Kerry was totally taken off his stride when Bush complimented him as a father and acknowledged the kindness Kerry's daughters showed the twins. Kerry is incapable of such off-the-cuff generosity and I think, when this is all said and done, this comment by Bush will be remembered when the other hem and hawing and mispronounciations and not landing body blows will be forgotten.
We judge him by freeper standards and expect him to slay liberals the way we do in our offices, homes, neighborhoods, and families. We are blessed that he is not like so many of us -- his kindness and generosity is appealing to the undecideds. It is easier to change minds with facts. It is harder to change hearts. For a decisive majority, President Bush has to change hearts. And that is where he succeeded last night.
In addition I think the so called Undecided Voter Is A MYTH
They are Either
1. Telling the pollers they are UNDECIDED because they don't want to admit they don't know what the hell is going on and in reality won't vote
2. Just like the attention they get from the pundits and the politicians in trying to obtain their vote and in reality won't vote
THere may be some at this point that haven't made up their minds but I doubt the % is significant
I agree with the can of worms analysis. Kerry, in his pedantic and patrician manner, called for sanctions against Iran. Bush, sounding incredulous, pointed out to JFinK that we already have sanctions against Iran. Perhaps, if Kerry had shown up for a few of the Intelligence Committee meetings or even the Senate as a whole, he would have known that.
Where do we go to file a complaint against Jim Lehrer's blatant bias?
What was funnier is the Kerry told Bush he was wrong to have sanctions alone and without the allies. Bush said the sanctions were put in place by the Clinton administration. Bush has brought in the allies. Zing!
Well, face it. Kerry was a good poser. He acted the part. But like an actor, the words coming out of his mouth were ridiculous. And that's what probably will stick over the next week - what Kerry actually said. And some of it was really scary.
Well, he advocates the United States send our elite troops on a snipe hunt thru the caves of eastern Afganistan. He wants the Euro trash to give us permission to protect OURSELVES, and while bush visits the victims of Hurricanes, Kerry gets a MANICURE. Bush won the debate.
Kerry's approach to Iraq with other allies:
"The car doesnt run and you already said no thanks, but I own the car now, not Bush. So please, buy it."
Basically, Kerry is saying the war is idiotic and wrong and worthless but please, join us in thie idiotic, wrong and worthless war.
Please, John. Even France isnt that dumb.
Now now...it was Wendy's. :P
I thought the exact same thing! "Why didn't Lehrer ask Kerry why multi-nationalism in Iraq, but bi-lateral /w N.Korea?"
Also, a good talking point to throw at your lefty co-workers, relatives, neighbors, etc., is the fact that the coalition that has troops on the ground in Iraq is twice the size of the one that fought in the Korean War (32 countries v. 16). Also, the ratio of American troops to allied troops is lower in Iraq than it was in Korea.
"You need a nap. We'll wake you when it's over. Get your medications refreshed, too. Bush won the debate."
No, he didn't win the debate. Kerry won the debate. Bush spent 90 minutes defending his position on Iraq. Kerry came off as a strong speaker that exudes confidence while Bush came off a bit perplexed at the spectacle of this farce.
Kerry is an expert at rhetoric. That's what debates are. They are two minute informercials and Kerry did very well.
Don't read too much into it. IMHO Bush gave Kerry a big boost of confidence that he will take into the domestic agenda debate. Then Bush will gut him like a trout.
Come to think of it, Lehrer was confused, wasn't he.
This is the same John Kerry that criticized Bush for supposedly not building a coalition before entering Iraq. In regards to North Korea, Kerry suggests doing away with the multinational coalition that Bush has developed, and going it alone.
Kerry was either confused or extremely hypocritical, or perhaps both. Lehrer couldn't help but be confused.
I watched the debate with about 200 people at the Louisville Bush headquarters, when that comment came out, someone shouted, "Yeah, we've got some toilets that need cleaning"!! It kept me from throwing something at the screen.
I believe Kerry won on style and Bush on substance. Kerry made a couple of real goofs that Bush should have exploited.
Those undecided saw Kerry try to present a different plan to deal with Iraq.
The Kerry Plan...A summit (meeting) and then the Bush plan but faster?????
Come on, a meeting! I simply do not believe the public is that stupid. It is why the spot polls were showing a Kerry win while also showing the voters moving to Bush.
The money issue was also important. Kerry promised Billions and Billions on the war and homeland security on top of the trillions he has promised for his domestic agenda.
A president needs to set priorities and Kerry made no effort. He simply promised more money to each and every program.
A MEETING! Good God!!!
Will the "meeting and Bush on iraq but faster" serve to inspire the Kerry anti war/anti-american base??
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