FR Live Thread: Bush Kerry - First Debate - Thread 2 - Here we go!

[Admin Moderator]

Thread 1 - Pre-Debate discussion

[AFPhys]

GWB has been outstanding since the time he complimented Kerry.

Since, then Kerry has added nothing meaningful to the dialogue a

AGREED!!!

[Otta B Sleepin]

Lehrer pitched a softball to Bush asking if tehre were character issues that should keep Kerry from the presidency and he struck out

I thought he handled it well. He has refrained from personal attacks throughout the campaign and I think he did the right thing in not stooping to that now. He's always been above that kind of thing.

[Lijahsbubbe]

It is obvious Kerry had the questions beforehand. He can't even answer straight at a news conference ordinarily

I agree Hattie. Kerry can't even handle a simple question when campaigning. Unbelievable.

[GVnana]

I think this will end in a draw with both satisfying their bases (despite the overly emotional doom and gloomers on this thread.)

[Old Sarge]

I knew I didn't watch the debate for a reason, now I remember.

The Sheep just watched Kerry make the President look weak.

And The Sheep Will Believe.

[LincolnLover]

Even Jonah Goldberg (per Allah) thinks Kerry won, and I agree.

On the merits, he whipped the president, hands down; luckily, the GOP has some of the best spinners and operatives around, and debate performance is seen through the prism of post-debate spin, in part because millions who watch these debates don't know a damn thing about the particulars of what is being discussed.

[NYC Republican]

Forget for a second who's being more honest. We all know the answer...

My question is, who comes across as more Presidential? More knowledgable? More firm and resolute? More stable? More confident?

Since most people CAN'T see through the lies, I feel the answer is overwhelmingly Kerry.

[Denver Ditdat]

Why are so many full of doom and gloom?

We were hoping for a decisive smackdown, and there wasn't one clear moment when W left Kerry rocked back on his heels stuttering for a good answer. He did OK. Not a failure, not great, but OK. Without a real home run, the MSM will call this one for Kerry.

The next debate really needs to tip solidly in the President's direction.

[A Citizen Reporter]

Kerry just criticized Russia for putting political opponents into prisons. What were the North Vietnamese doing when you went to have a "summit" with them in Paris, Johnny?

[lawgirl]

OOOHHH Lehrer gave W a HUGE softball and W let it go.

"I dont' take it personally"- yes you do W! That's why you're so upset!

he's looking fratboy. And here comes Kerry calm and focused- not good for W even though Kerry is still talking mumbo jumbo.

[Captiva]

Hello!

[katdawg]

He should be attacking more, but he's still going to kick Kerry in the rear come election time...Let the election results do the talking fellow Freepers!!!! Go Bush!!!

[MNJohnnie]

Tough for a straigh-talker to defeat the expert liar [lawyer] that EFnK is.
Lehrer pitched a softball to Bush asking if tehre were character issues that should keep Kerry from the presidency and he struck out,
This is sad.

But what is really sad is that there are those who are using this to make up their minds.

Our country is in trouble because it is half full of morons.


What a lot of you Freepers have to realize is that for many on the Right, they want Bush to run a negative, harsh smash mouth campaign. Since Kerry is doing that and Bush isn't they think "Kerry is winning" No, he isn't. See what those on the Right who want to punch back 20 times for every punch thrown by Kerry don't understand, Kerry isn't winning any in the middle tonight. That is no way to win the middle. Bush comes off as serious and mature, Kerry as a arrogant know it all. This performance by Kerry will not win him ANY votes with the Ladies. By his performance tonight Kerry just lost the election. See, many of you don't remember the Reagan-Mondale debates. All the "Experts" said the same thing about Mondale you all are saying about Kerry. The problem was while Mondale was wining the debate on style, Reagan was wining on substance. Kerry just lost the election because of his mean spirited negativity. Kerry needed to give us a "Softer gentler" Kerry and he blew it.

[Ciexyz]

Kerry: "let me look you in the eye and say...."

A statement like that makes me want to run for cover.

[rwfromkansas]

I think Bush is doing better now at least.

[Petronski]

What the hell is Treblinka square?


The KGB headquarters is on Lubyanka square.



He's such a showoff. But when showing off, it is best (first) to be CORRECT!

[tuckrdout]

And Yet Bush missed several chances to critisize that fact. He missed several chances to draw attention to Kerry's record. But he didn't. He doesn't seem to have those facts. He did not look good. I am so sorry about that. And hope that he will do better next time.

[nopardons]

Because 1)they are political naifs 2)this is the first debate they've ever watched as an adult 3)some people prefer being miserable and want everyone else to be miserable too 4)they're clueless.

[Lee Shore]

Kerry: "I visited the KGB under Treblinka Square.

Uh, Senator, Treblinka was a Nazi death camp. The KGB was on Dzerzhinsky Square.

What a maroon!

[Fledermaus]

You guys are starting to sound like you want Bush to be Sean Hannity!

He's kicking A!