Democrats & Liberals: Archives

God, that was great. Some brilliant zingers, Bush mixing up Osama and Hussein, etc.

Most of the major web polls I’ve seen so far have tens of thousands of votes and 70-80% of them for Kerry.

This was going to be my entry to the column, but I think it’s for the best that we don’t get too much turnover on the column on this single issue. So I post my response here.

Watching this debate, I felt sometimes like I was watching a Roger Moore movie. there were times I expected a little digital clock to show up in the corner of the screen and time his long, not-so-thoughtful pauses.

They were merciful, believe me. When he started talking, he went in circles, cycling through all the stump speech fragments, all the old catchphrases.

Bush prides himself on being consistent. I don’t think its consistency. I think its lack of imagination. His canned responses and campaign catchphrases, given so mechanically reflect a superficial understanding of issues, and constant coaching by his advisors.

Kerry is consistent in the way people are supposed to be, in principle ,in dedication to the best interests of the public. He’s not seeking to sell Americans on a strategy that’s failed, emotionally blackmailing them into voting for him, by saying only he can save the world from the terrorists.

I think Kerry nailed him pretty well by saying that the president imagined was not necessary what would be done or could be done, that just because Bush doesn’t believe that bilateral talks with North Korea can work, doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

I don’t want my future cut short because my president didn’t things out well. Thousands already have. I don’t want Iraq to become the black hole that drains the life out of the war on terrorism.

It’s not too late for us to change our direction back where it needs to be. Let’s vote for the candidate who actually knows what he’s doing, and get going in the right direction on the war on terrorism.

Both candidates did better than I expected. The war on terror was the key issue. Bush believes in being firm; Kerry believes in being flexible. Both have their places.

Bush stayed on message better, but sometimes stayed too long. Kerry got the wrong talking points on Korea. Bush scored points when he showed that Kerry supported the war when reading the same intelligence estimates and Kerry didn’t deny it. Kerry scored on Bush by making him look stubborn. I think we got a good look at both and the stereotypes are close to being true.

Kerry is a flip flopper and Bush is foolishly stubborn. Average them together and we might have the right mix.

Kerry nailed Bush to the floor. Deer eyed Bush got caught with his mouth open every time Kerry pointed out the facts. Bush’s constent repeating of phases should leave no doubt that he failed on his strong issue debate. I just wonder if Bush will wimp out and cancel the other debates.

I was actually a bit surprised at how poorly Bush did. He seemed to be holding is own in the first 30 minutes, but he really seemed to be stumbling and uncomfortable in the last hour. If people tuned out after 30 minutes it may limit his damage.

I thought Kerry’s weakest parts were the discussion on North Korea. He should have responded at some point to Bush’s remarks that direct talks would dissolve the multilateral discussion.

Kerry did extremely well tonight. He was calm, reasonable, consistent, clear and strong. He demonstrated the consistency of his position on Iraq, which went a long way toward erasing the cartoon image of Kerry that the Republican talking heads had built up over the past two months. I think the next set of polls will show Kerry back in the lead.

Big sigh of relief…

I have been favoring Kerry more out of pure desire to get
George W. the hell out of that beautiful house on Pennsylvania Avenue than unwavering confidence in John Kerry’s plans for America during the next four years. I hoped and held my breath that Kerry would present himself as a knowledeable, experienced, committed, realistic leader capable of re-assessing his actions and policies. In my opinion he did that tonight. Now, will his plans work? Who knows. Ideas require opportunity and cooperation just to see if they will get off the ground let alone fly successfully. I would like to see him have an opportunity. Mr. Bush has SQUANDERED his opportunity demonstrating an obstinate arrogance that resembles concentrated stupidity
more closely than the steadfast conviction he purports to possess!

Peace, AG

I expected Kerry to do well in this debate, but he exceeded my expectations. I expected Bush to do alright, and he failed miserably. Kerry did everything right; Bush didn’t even come close. I think Kerry made it clear that he has maintained a firm and consistent stand on the war in Iraq. Anyone who doubts that should visit the NY Times Web site, which has video of Kerry talking about the Iraq war during one of the primary debates. He was saying the same thing about Iraq back then that he is saying now. After tonight, the choice in this election is clearer than ever. Kerry can restore respect and credibility to the presidency around the globe. Bush will only take us further down a path to destruction, at home and abroad.

Kerry not only won the debate, he showed America and the world that he will be a strong, thoughtful leader.

Stephen, I would strongly urge you to re-think posting your entry, as you made a few interesting points. Plus, I doubt we’ll see a debate post in the Red Column soon!

In my post following Al’s, I linked to the Meet The Press transcripts of Kerry’s appearance back in April. I guess I was the only one who saw it, because it was the same Kerry we saw tonite.

I also linked to Bush’s interview with Tim Russert, the previous February. I was sure (but, hoped), that guy would not show up tonite - but, he did.

In the 2000 debates, Bush did not have much of a record as Texas Governor, to be judged upon. Times were still good, and so his ‘folksy’-ain’t-Gore-mean shtick, won voters over.

But, this time, Bush is carrying major baggage, that a standard stump speech before a vetted partisan crowd, ain’t cuttin’ it. He’s still the ‘candidate of lower expectations’, but now he finds himself in a high stakes poker game, obviously lacking in skills.

Will he punt the remaining two debates? Maybe. Will his performance improve drastically, as needed?

Don’t count on it.

You know, thank GOD for some intelligent people writing about how STUPID Bush is. As I watched the debate last night, I couldn’t believe what an idiot he is. Kerry was so confident in his speaking. He stood up straight, looked like he knew what he was saying and it also looked like he had educated himself about certain issues before going in front of the enitre country. Bush, on the other hand, just looked like a complete moron. I have no respect for that man and the way he is running this country. It makes me sick to think that there are people out there that actually think he has the intelligence to run this country, and most republicans think he needs to run it forever!!!! I really don’t understand this concept! Republicans need to open their minds, and their eyes and see the real picture here!! It’s time to get real my fellow Americans and see the big picture. Educate yourselves and really look into the Bush administration and try to understand the fraud and deceit he has caused your country. Thank you, and get out and vote!!!!

If Kerry were to win this election…it will be a great victory for International Socialism!
The US will be put under the UN with France and
Germany deciding what will happen in America.

It never ceases to amaze me that folks find it so easy to hide their identities while perserving absurdity in public discourse. Nice going Patrick Henry. I love this, Give me Bush, or give me Death, mantra. It’s hilarious.

My comments would be apropos’ for any on the left making similar remarks regarding Kerry. Though, with the left, it might be more akin to ‘Give me Kerry, or give me two votes at the polls’ after this election is over and Nader investigates Democratic dirty tricks at the ballot box.

Bush to be Secretly Coached During Debates

President Bush was fitted with micro receivers in his ear canals in preparation for the next two debates. Sources say the President will be secretly coached with facts and verbal prompts to give the appearance that he is intellectually superior to John Kerry.

fortunately this election is more about eho has the best manicure, who uses botox, and who prentends to be athletic-its about 1971 senate testimony, a weak and terrible senate record-if John Kerry was such an agent of change why didn;t he offer alternatives, his own version of bills, or be bi partisan in the senate-he didn’t have to-he’s from a one party state, and a record for achievement wasn;t necessary.

Kerry’s policy on increasing taxes on the rich, capping social security payments to the wealthy, and giving out more welfare benefits would be a large step toward socialism. welfare is an invisible box trapping many americans in the lower class. reducing welfare will encourage them to get out and get a job and be productive. there are jobs everywhere. you can’t open a newspaper without finding “___ WANTED” in it. even if you want the job, take it and quit mooching off of those who work. cutting down ss payments to those who have paid the most is disrespectful. taxing the wealthy to support afterschool programs is unfair as well. if i’m a millionaire, why should i have to pay for all the kids in town to play starcraft in the computer lab or whatever? those with the most money are vital to our economy. the more money they can hold onto, the more they are likely to spend. the more they spend (which is usually in large amounts), the better it is for our economy.
don’t get me started on the ludicrisy of paygo for social security. go to http://www.socialsecurity.org/daily/10-19-04.html for more on that.

i have nothing against alternative courses of action, but when they are proven to be less effective why do we hold on to them? how about congratulating our forces in iraq instead of belittling their efforts? how about not putting my United States of America on the track toward a pacifist socialite? i love America. i love how we can get on sites like this and voice opinions. i love going to sleep without fear of violent overthrow. i love being home alone and knowing that if anyone tries to break in i’ll be fine because i can own and operate a firearm to defend myself and my home. i love that America has the greatest provision and ability to support missions abroad. i love that i can share my faith with children in far away lands because America has a stable economy, infrastructure, and network of international airports to send me. America’s system of government was designed for a religious people, a people who took care to be responsible and morally grounded (look up John Adams). America is only America when we take the initiative to defend her spirit, work ethic, and values. i could go on and on about morals, ethics, abortion, partial birth abortion (stabbing the baby’s skull with scissors, sucking out the brain with a vacuum, all without anesthetics…), the philosophy of a leader, the ability of a leader to accomplish tasks, and the character of a leader to remain firm and unwavering. i’d rather have someone who preserves our country’s system than someone who destroys it with liberalist political experiments.

If you can’t lead to please everyone, just lead to please God.