Debate Fallout

[S. Hunter]

Ten minutes left - Most of the stuff is done. Who do you think did the bet job, and why?

I really thought they both performed VERY closely. They were cordial with eachother, something that you never see if they aren't in the same room. I would have to say I thought Bush pulled ahead by a little - Kerry fumbled on one question fairly badly and seemed to ramble, and though Bush got caught up on words, he still performed well. Kerry made some great points also though - He is a very eloquent speaker who takes points very well. It looks like he did better than I thought he would.

(P.S. If I counted right, Kerry said Ronald Reagan 4 times, and Bush didn't at all. No real political meaning, just a sidenote)

[civiltech]

Were we watching the same debate???

I've never seen a federal debate so obsessed with foreign policy...this from the Yanks? Was waiting for your taxes, and health care, economy, environment which all seemed to either play second fiddle, or was simple non existent in this debate. Can Americans vote on there next leader simply on Afgahnastan and Iraq?

It was nice to see both candidates compliment each others family at the end of the whole debate to leave a real "feel good" aura. Quite a nice little packaged all wrapped up neatly, with nothing to question..........

[S. Hunter]

You do realize that this was the debate themes on foreign policy, right? Not insulting you, but there are three, each with generally themes issues. Domestic is next I believe. We do care about those, but the point of this was foreign relations.

[Rolls]

I watched the debate and it looked to me like Kerry won it hands down. Bush kept asking for extra time and then wouldn't have anything to say in that time.

Kerry stayed on message and really delivered it to Bush.

Rolls.

[mrbiggs]

Bush surprised me; he seemed much more intelligent and informed than in the Gore debates. He concentrated on Kerry's previous support of the war, and how he was saying it was a mistake now.

Kerry was equally as intelligent as Bush. He rebutted Bush's main argument, mentioned above, fairly well, but I think he wasn't very clear. He spoke quickly, and some of his arguments may not have reached some of the slower people in the country.

P.S. If anyone watched the Daily Show, I loved Jon Stewart explaining Kerry's platform to Rudolf Guliani. (no idea how to spell that, sorry)

[Inquartata]

I think it was a "push". Both men performed well---emphasis on "performed", which, alas, is what politicians do these days. Neither scored any big points, neither stumbled badly.

I didn't hear "flip flop" or "W stands for wrong". That was welcome. In fact, not too much reliance on prepared phrases by either side, though Bush kept harping on "sending mixed signals" and Kerry kept mentioning John F, Kennedy at every opportunity. Neither transgressed the time constraints. Neither got really combative.

I thought that Bush had the edge on humanity and humor---his was the one jest, and it was he who talked about the daughters and so forth; Kerry was constrained to reply in kind or come off as ungracious. He seemed more relaxed. Kerry had the clear edge in dignity and statesmanlike demeanor, albeit he still looked a bit stiff and Gore-like. The only laugh I got out of him was when he said "I've never wavered; I've always been consistent." He was also the more versatile; Bush basically seemed to have a few main themes and stuck to them, even at the cost of repeating himself. Bush also made minor points by refusing to rise to the moderator's bait about Kerry questioning his truthfulness---Bush just shrugged it off and said it didn't bother him, which made him seem the bigger man. OTOH in some of the reaction shots early on he looked a bit vexed and waspish while Kerry was speaking, while Kerry maintained his aplomb and even smiled at some of Bush's criticisms. And some of Bush's answers weren't well balanced; he ended some too abruptly or with inelegant cadences in his voice.

One small stylistic quibble: I wish Kerry would stop flicking his tongue out to lick his lips. I found it distracting.

All things considered, a draw for me. I doubt it will change anything. And that's what Kerry needed: to hold his own on the security and defense issues. I expect he'll do better in the debate on economic issues.

[gojujay]

I couldn't watch it. I can't stand Kerry's voice, something about his cadence and vocal timbre. It turned me off a long time ago and I can't get over it. Alas, nobody's perfect.

[Epee_Pox]

I thought Kerry finally spoke clearly about what his foreign policy would be. I'd been waiting for that for a long time. When his policies did differ from Bush's, I thought he was wrong. When his policies were the same, I didn't think he'd be able to deliver as well.

I don't agree wholeheartedly with the Bush foreign policy. However, I am now convinced that Kerry would be worse.