Lehrer: President Bush, do you still beat your wife?
Bush: No, sir.
Lehrer: Senator Kerry, do you think Bush still beats his wife?
Kerry: Yes, I do.
Lehrer: President Bush, your response to that?
Bush couldn't win; all the questions were ABOUT Bush.
Sorry Howlin re your post #12. Even if the questions were all about Bush (and they should be. We would want them to be about Gore's record had he had been in the WH the last 4)the Prez had plenty of help and time to be prepared. He wasn't. He did better toward the end. He appeared more genuine. But until the last 10 or 15 mins during the split screens had a "how dare you question my record" look on his face. He looked hunched at the podium. He fumbled for words often. He kept repeating the talking points. He was the Al Gore of this years debate with his sighs and glaring looks.
LOL, good essessment!
You're so right. I cannot stand Jim Lehrer. A creepy little sneak of a man. The fix was in tonight, but also George was not on his game, IMO.
It was a very uncomfortable night for me watching that scene, and now I guess we have to possibly concede that this is going down to the wire. The media will see to it.
I have a sick feeling. I hope I feel better in the light of day.
I wonder what Karen Hughes is thinking right now!
I know the deck was stacked against President Bush, but after a bit of reflection, and letting it settle in, I realized that most of us were frustrated the same way the President was, with Senator Kerry.
This shows me that President Bush has done a WONDERFUL job of setting the terms of the debate--and all the softball questions to Kerry couldn't make up for it.
It's clear who was the slick, practiced soundbite politician, and who is the man doing the tough job of keeping America safe. Of COURSE President Bush was frustrated and annoyed with the questions, and the extravagantly pandering botoxed voice of Kerry.
I trust the tired and frustrated man with the facts who is doing the actual work, and frankly, in my demographic (middle-aged, hard-working and frustrated at times ourselves) I think President Bush did extremely well.
Additionally, President Bush ended well. Very honest and heartfelt. I don't think we want another "slick" willy as president. Kerry has a visible veneer, but we've all seen it not so smooth, and he may THINK he looks good in the mirror, but he's still a phony.
I don't know what the polls will show, but I trust my judgement that my demographic will be a bit annoyed with Kerry's broad, sweeping statements that have little to do with the facts. I suspect the polls will agree with me.
Thats it in a nutshell. I think I remember ONE question about Kerry (sacrifical question I presume). Well, maybe two or three if you count the "Mr. Kerry, how to YOU feel about President Bush doing THIS...blah blah type of questions.
Exactly. That *debate* screamed out for at least this question -
- - - - Senator Kerry, what does your record in the Senate during the Cold War say about your ability to keep this country safe?
This will be picked apart and the stupidity and lies in Kerry's comments will be brought out. Everyone already knows where Bush stands on the issues. Kerry is the one who will lose here. Someone needs to add up all the lies and misstatements. Hope someone does a thread on that tomorrow. His comments about shutting down the subway during the RNC was one I remember.
The next debate will be much more interesting and probably be to Bush's advantage.
Amen. And the bit asking Bush to give moral evaluation of Kerry? Come on. This was supposed to be a debate for pete's sake.
Couldn't put it any more succinctly. President Bush was railroaded.