The presidential debates

[bsg_06]

First, a mea culpa. Like Dan Rather at CBS, apparently my source for information about the debate format was totally erroneous. My fault for not checking things out further.

As for the debate itself, I thought it to be extremely unspectacular. No one was really embarrassed, no one said anything unexpected.
If you have already made up your mind, I seriously doubt that the debate made you change your mind. Both candidates are going to claim victories, both campaign spinmeisters are going to point out how they won and the other guy lost. Bush restated his point, Kerry restated his point.

Bush did make the only major gaffe of the debate. In the 53rd minute, in response to a question about launching pre-emptive strikes, Bush said "The enemy attacked us. That is why we went to Iraq."
It was keeping with the continuing Bush-Cheney stance that Iraq was somehow responsible for the Sept. 11 attack.
Kerry was quick to respond that Saddam did not attack us. Osama bin Laden attacked us.
"Osama is the enemy that attacked us. Saddam Hussein had no part. Saddam's power was continually weakening, and would have had to give in if had been patient. At the time we invaded Iraq, there were 35-40 countries that had more nuclear weapons capability."

It was not the candidate's answers that impressed me either way. It was the body language that told a big story.
If you remember the 200 debate, one thing that reason got people (even Democrats) worried about Gore was how uncomfortable he seemed during the debates. While Bush sat smiling and occasionally smirking, Gore did a lot of grimacing and shuffling. Gore looked like he would leave if given the chance.
In the Thursday debate, it was Bush that looked uncomfortable. Which is really unusual, since Bush is normally a very good orator. Did anyone notice how many times Bush frowned, rolled his eyes or appeared to grimace?
Kerry was more of the continually smiling stone face, sort of like I always heard Clinton did.
I was really puzzled by this. Was Bush unprepared for the serious nature of some of the questions? Did he get caught off guard by some of the topics?

On a final note, I thought the debate was moderated as well as any debate I have ever watched (or read about).

Your opinions?

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[HumblePie98]

You need to relax a little.

[menanamama]

Even as the presidential debates get ready to start, I am having trouble getting excited about them.
First of all, the questions had to be approved by both candidates. So there will be no questions that either candidate is unprepared for. No one has to think, they simply have to deliver a pre-planned answer.
The moderators and candidates are both bound by the "rules of decorum," which almost eliminates the chance of an unscripted moment or two.
Yawn.

not turning out like that though is it.

[Sicily]

I thought the demoncratic candidate mopped the floor with the chimpanzee.

[advocate]

If Bush pre approved those questions, hes dumber than I thought, he didnt have answers for some of them. I never heard so many "um's".

They are always prepared for any question, thats why they have a huge staff, some of them are just better at remembering their prepared answers than others. They have been rehearsing for days.

I have to say Bush didnt come off looking very bright. The debates are just a chance for them to show off for the public, too bad only one candidate took advantage of the opportunity. Bush did better on the Dr Phil show than he did on the debate.

[menanamama]

they approved the topics only. both had some "um" moments. i agree that bush did not do as well as i hoped but kerry had such low expectations of him (media labled him big time underdog) so had to do well.

[GR8_1]

Whoa! Are we a bunch of liberals in here or what?? Just kidding! But it does seem like there is a lot of "Bush-bashing" going on in this thread!

I thought I was the only one who noticed how poorly Mr. President did! Did anyone see his face numerous times when it was Mr. Kerry's turn to speak/respond??!! It was priceless. I don't know if it was anger, embarrassment.......It was just......priceless.

Hubby and I recorded it so that we can refer back to it. Hubby works with a bunch of conservatives (rolls eyes), and he gets called a "liberal" on a regular basis. (Although they color up the word "liberal" a bit......)

Anyhow, I will be interested to see what the future debates have in store. I am also eager to see what effect tonight's debate have on the polls!!

[Sicily]

Well, honestly, I doubt it will have much effect on the polls. I think that this election is so polarized that peoples' mind aren't going to be easily changed.

[advocate]

I think our only hope is that they swing the undecideds- I think just about everyone else is too set in their ways and its unlikely that they will be swayed now.

[Sicily]

Oh I think we'll have the popular vote again; I think we already do.

[cleaningla]

Look at this face. Doesn't anyone remember this face. It's the face of the real Killer.

OJ's gonna find the real killer before Bush does.