KERRY DIDN'T GET IT DONE

NY POST ^ | October 1, 2004 | DAVID WINSTON , ROLL CALL

[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.

[cyncooper]

His halting approach was an embarrassment as it appeared to me that he was always searching for the "right" words as opposed to defending his position or attacking Kerry's.

Like the time Bush forcefully responded to Kerry's unilateral charge as "That's ABSURD" and went on to answer fully and completely.

Face it, you're wrong.

[nanss]

It did indeed sound that way with his very specific citations. Always legitimate question of honesty with a liberal media person. BTW, do we have a Republican moderator next time?

[TASMANIANRED]

btt

[piperpilot]

I disagree wholeheartedly. I liked the fact that he said, "That's absurd . . . " However, that was the exception, not the rule. Believe me, I wanted nothing more than to be able to walk in the office today, gloating to all the rabid Dims around here, about how the race is over, but sKerry lives to fight another day and this debate has served to energize the Dims. They were down and they needed to put out. Instead, they now think the race is winnable again. You should hear them on the talk shows this morning. These people are pumped!

[TASMANIANRED]

Bush didn't have time in 90 seconds to swat away each of the 50 allegations that Kerry made in his 2 minutes.

You have to think of the debate as a boxing match.

Kerry was the light weight. He was out throwing punches like a windmill. Lots of activity but very little damage.

Bush didn't look as aggressive because he was more measured but he just brushed all the frenetic speech away.

Bush weighed his opportunities and delivered an a$$ wooping where it counted. The GLOBAL TEST put Kerry on his rear end.

Kerry was debating for a score card. Bush was debating into the living rooms of America.

[cyncooper]

I wanted nothing more than to be able to walk in the office today, gloating to all the rabid Dims around here, about how the race is over

Be sure to point out to them that deceit spoken artfully does not win the day and doesn't impress you.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Kerry's orange glow turned to blush pink cheeks. Like Algore, Kerry is searching for his male identity, trying on different hats, hoping for a match. A French beret would be fitting.

[igoramus987]

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.

This is precisely why Bush won the debate. There is so much ammo now to attack Kerry with.

[Liz]

One tidbit has a C-SPAN camera quietly following Kerry advisor Mike McCurry when he found Kerryite Joe Lockhart on the debate forum's press floor.

McCurry asked him his impression of the debate. Not knowing he was overheard, Lockhart candidly said to McCurry, “The consensus is it was a draw.”

[mewzilla]

LOL. With campaign staff like that, who needs an opponent?

[Mudboy Slim]

I thought it was a draw as well...but here's a point-by-point refutation of Kerry's LIES!!

FReegards...MUD

[JasonC]

Yes, Kerry won the debate. Bush sounded defensive and whiny and frowned a lot. Leaders of the free world should not whine because unprincipled liberals say mean things about them. Bush blew it big time on manner and projected character. These are performances people. Bush probably lost 5 points and this is now going to be a tight race, close to the margin of Dem stealing ability - when he was winning going away before last night.

[Just mythoughts]

"One tidbit has a C-SPAN camera quietly following Kerry advisor Mike McCurry when he found Kerryite Joe Lockhart on the debate forum's press floor.

McCurry asked him his impression of the debate. Not knowing he was overheard, Lockhart candidly said to McCurry, “The consensus is it was a draw.”"


The supposed debate I saw last night was a flood of lies and deceptions calculated to provoke an out of character response from President Bush.

JFKerry never really scored actual factual points, what he present was a quagmire of lies, distortions, and deceptions based upon the appearance of superior knowledge.

JFKerry became an eminent threat to the security of the US and the world.

[Liz]

Thanks for the link.

[Liz]

Nice deconstruction.

[lugsoul]

Do you mean the moolahs? LOL

[Joe_October]

Who could know for sure what Kerry's position on North Korea was but this is what I heard:

He wants to open talks with the US and North Korea only and talk about whatever North Korea wants. North Korea will use any topic to fail to reach a deal while they maneuver for position.

Bush wants to continue the talks as they are between the US, China, South Korea, Russia, Japan, and North Korea.

Essentially, in all other matters in the universe, bring in as many allies as you can but not in North Korea.

If the ID MSM did their jobs (which they won't) this is a big loser for Kerry.

North Korea has nuclear weapons because of idiot do-nothing democrats.
North Korea doesn't care what we say. It's what we do.
China and Russia carry more weight with them then us.

Kerry is a lying idiot. That summarizes it.

[RetiredArmy]

I'm going to admit something here. I DID NOT watch the debate last night. I went riding on my bike. After I got home, after the debate was over, I came here to FR and got the read from you folks. Basically, there is absolutely nothing, nothing under the sun, moon and stars that Flipping Kerry could say that would get this Vietnam vet to vote for him. He could say he was sorry for what he said and did and it will be to little, to late for me. I will never forgive this punk for what he did to Vietnam vets. I saw too may guys put in body bags to forgive him. He can only get forgiveness from God. I can only hope God forgives me for not forgiving. I do not watch TV news, or read the local socialist rags called newspapers. They are not newspapers. They are socialist propaganda pamphlets, put out daily by the communist among us. I cannot stand to even look at that pig Kerry's face. My hate and contempt for that pig is deep. If he were running against Satan, Hitler, Stalin, Attila the Hun, or Lenin, he still would not get my vote.

[hobson]

I think Bush's response to "Was Iraq worth the loss of 1000 Americans?" was a show stopper. People saw THE REAL George W. Bush. He takes his job as Commander in Chief very seriously and he in no way exploits that role.

[ntnychik]

Kerry also called himself "resolute."
If Bush doesn't have trademark rights on "resolute," he should.