Posted on 10/01/2004 8:51:49 PM PDT by Pikamax
Reaction Shots May Tell Tale of Debate Bush's Scowls Compared to Gore's Sighs By Dana Milbank Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, October 2, 2004; Page A10
ALLENTOWN, Pa., Oct. 1 -- As Democratic nominee John F. Kerry criticized President Bush in Thursday night's presidential debate, Bush scowled, squinted, clenched his jaw and appeared disgusted as he hunched over his lectern -- images that were beamed into millions of American homes.
The episode was reminiscent of the first debate of the 2000 presidential campaign, when Al Gore's loud and pained sighs made the Democrat appear contemptuous and condescending, turning what could have been a victory for Gore into a political debacle for him. On Thursday night, it was Bush's aggravated demeanor that contributed to the impression that Kerry won the debate.
Body language can be more descriptive than actual language in presidential debates. No line from the 1960 debate was as memorable as Richard M. Nixon's perspiration. And President George H.W. Bush's glance at his wristwatch during the 1992 debate has endured beyond that night's words.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
"Or Kerry's bobbing head."
Yeah, what the heck was that all about?
It was like he was agreeing with every negative aspect about himself that W brought up.
Fox had 4 continuous feeds... it was up to the other networks to pick which ones they would show.
But I don't think that that little Milbank takes it personally, do you? LOL!
Before the next debate, W ought to let the American people know that's it's awfully tough for a Texan not to grimace when he's standin' in stable of horse puckey. And it's especially tough when the load keeps getting bigger and bigger and all you've got is a 2 minute shovel.
"I think the United States should have offered the opportunity to provide the nuclear fuel, test them, see whether or not they were actually looking for it for peaceful purposes. If they weren't willing to work a deal, then we could have put sanctions together."
Facial expressions by the President won't hurt this country,what John Kerry is proposing can.
Ha! Oh, no, I'm sure not.
It's funny because your post jogged my mind that yesterday David Gregory said Bush can get mad at reporters and he knew that firsthand.
I think most Americans would agree they earned any scornful looks, too. LOL
I have no idea but he looked foolish.
An action bobblehead, in living color.
Milbank only wishes. The donks are hoping this is a repeat of Gore's follies. But Bush had reason to look peevish last night. I myself admired his stoicism, given the nature of the questions asked by the moderator--many of which seemed designed to help Kerry. It was Bush's policies which were the focus of the evening, not Kerry's record. This allowed Kerry to stay on the offensive for much of the time.
The reason the Gore situation was different was that there was so little provocation for the exaggerated reactions of the Vice President in the 2000 debates. The audible sighing was bizarre--not at all similar to the honest show of disgust shown by the President when Kerry distorted a fact or repeated a lie. The expressions on Bush's face were unconscious responses, whereas Gore's were consciously designed to influence the viewing audience. There's a world of difference between then and now.
I saw that also, but I haven't seen it mentioned much.
I think there's a big difference between someone sincerely showing disgust (Bush), and an obvious act to try to make people believe you're smarter than your opponent (Gore). I actually think President Bush's body language may end up helping him.
Almost everyone on the thread about it actually enjoyed the DNC video, thinking it actually helped Bush.
I wish I had the ability/equipment to make an ad...I could use President Bush's facial expressions and Kerry's words together, in a split screen in a way that would hit Kerry so hard he would reel for a week.
Imagine, Kerry make one of his stupid statements and using a split screen, show Bush making one of his faces or looking like Howdy Doody or whatever fits the scenario and in cartoon balloons, print what Bush is thinking:) LOL.....it would be such a kick:)
Agreed. It was clear that the Algore sighs were intentional, in an attempt to throw the Bush off. Bush's expressions were nothing of the sort.
The president showed great restraint considering what he had to put up with.. Kerry is such an arrogant ass...90% of what he said was untrue and the rest of it was insincere.. I wanted to go over there and slap him up side the head after 5 minutes.
I agree. It just took a night's sleep for his 'slickness' to wear off. Then what they each said sank in...
I have faith in the American people.
As do I, faith that they will do the right thing. Perhaps not in the ones who are shrill Kerry/DNC/liuberal/marxist supporters. But we have always had those types...clear back to the Torries.
But the middle of the road folks who are honestly looking for what is right to do in America...in those I have faith. When you add them to the ones who already clearly see the wrongheadedness and abject danger of Kerry's path...the election will turn out alright, and by a bigger margin I imagine than they expect.
As a rabid Republican and Bush supporter, I find these images of Bush embarrassing and indefensible.
What was wrong with Bush? He came into this debate with a huge advantage when it came to his position on Iraq and Kerry was a sitting duck considering all his conradictions and flip-flops.
Bush not only passed up once in a lifetime opportunities to nail Kerry on his BS but worse yet came off as nervous, defensive, and frustrated in the last half of the debate.
This is the worst I've seen Bush and I am not the only one who thinks he could have lost the election with this performance. I hope not but have to be realistic. Those awful images of Bush are not going to go away anytime soon.
You sound just like people from 4 years ago.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1233234/posts?page=1,50
To: hole_n_one
Face it folks: Gore is on the offensive and Bush is only responding to Gore attacks. I hoped very much that Bush would kick his ass, but he is DYING. He is doing very badly. Early on, he was trying to out-socialist Gore, now he is on the defensive. It is not going well. He is speaking badly, sounding unconfident. Let's face it: we are screwed.
87 Posted on 10/03/2000 18:42:05 PDT by Zviadist
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