One of my favorite moments:
On the war, Kerry almost eagerly made Bush's point, at first saying, "I do believe Saddam Hussein was a threat," and moments later denouncing Bush for being "preoccupied with Iraq, where there wasn't a threat."
The president exploited the contradiction in Kerry's latest policy, which claims the ability to attract troop support from France, Germany and Russia -- while agreeing with them that the war was a diversion. To Kerry's "plan" to hold a summit, Bush asked: "And what is he going to say to those people who show up at that summit? 'Join me in the wrong war at the wrong place at the wrong time'?"
Although Kerry accused Bush of "mass deception," he let the president focus on that illogical policy. The Democrat weakly cited recent worrying by Republican Sens. Richard Lugar and Chuck Hagel, recited a list of retired generals who endorsed him and embraced Ronald Reagan. Such a stretch for company, accompanied by a plaintive "We will get tough!" never shows strength.
When Kerry complained again of "going it alone," Bush was ready with a powerful counterpunch: "Tell Tony Blair we're going alone. Tell Sylvio Berlusconi we're going alone. Tell Aleksander Kwasniewski of Poland we're going alone."
This not only showed that Bush knew these allies personally, but could pronounce Kwasniewski's name, which reminded Polish-Americans that Poland's president had responded angrily to Kerry's brush-off of his country's sacrifices in the first debate. (Next day, Australians stoutly re-elected John Howard, a staunch coalition member, who trounced a cut-and-run opponent -- good news for coalition leaders.)
"Tell Aleksander Kwasniewski of Poland we're going alone."
Kerry set that one up. The RATS were trying to get Bush to pronounce the the Polish Presidents name incorrectly so that they could pounce on Bush. Kerry jumped, Bush moved and Kerry landed on his face.
In "the sweet science (boxing)" it's called "body work".