"The measure is not whether we are safer, the measure is whether we are as safe as we ought to be."
The moderator chose a very bad question. It's back to foreign policy, and it's so weird ...
"Yes we can be safe, if we go on the offense against terror, and if we spread freedom and liberty around the world"
4 years ago I never dreamt a Republican President would say that. Pat Buchanan is fainting at home as I type. Bush points out the terrorism is a nuisance remark.
I see what this is about. This is about homeland security.
Bush: "I don't think I ever said I don't worry about Osama bin Laden. It's one of those .... exaggerations *pained expression*" A very cute expression. Very effective. I liked it. Kerry should adopt it everytime Bush says he's a flip flop haha.
Bush is so cute when answering about flu shot. "If you're young, if you're healthy, don't get a flu shot this year!" Kerry has to be
careful answering this. After all, the problem comes partly from overseas. Oh dear, Bush is now being very deliberate in his answers ... sounds like regurgitation.
Kerry's turn. It's a challenge for him to talk about and to the
, rather than to academics. And he's not really answering the question. I'm not sure this is appropriate. But anyway Bob Schiefer has really weird questions. It's like a tricky oral exam.
Bush: "I want to remind people that a plan is not a litany of complaints." Excellent! Who taught him that?! Excellent!
Kerry has a bad start, Bush has a bad drawl ...
It's not going well for Kerry so far. His replies seem unfocussed. Perhaps the pressure of expectations has got to him. Bush probably knows he can't answer that well head on, so he goes back to the record. Betcha Tony Blair taught him something about digging up dirty things about Michael Howard. BUT WHY DOES BUSH HAS A DRAWL!? It makes him irritating even when he is talking sense.
Bush is doing very well. He's talking straight. The only way Kerry can turn this around is to use humour. Oh he's brilliant. I'm so impressed!
Kerry is coming back. He's had a bad start. He's in his element on jobs. Talking straighter, using a little humour. He needs to relax. Looks much better when he's relaxed.
That arrogant Bush
Bush has one major advantage over Kerry, he knows how to talk to ordinary people. But sometimes he pushes that advantage too far and appears quite arrogant. I don't understand how he thinks that can be appealing. Oh no, he is going overboard, really.
"I sure hope it's not the Administration!"
Kerry still seems a little uncomfortable talking about his faith. But I think he was quite good on that. His previous comments on abortion were terrible. He must do better.
Oh, DUBYA IS SO FUNNY! "Gosh I sure hope it's not the Administration('s fault that healthcare costs are so high) *chuckle*" Hahah!!! I think the Democrats are really breaking out in cold sweat.
Kerry is finally talking straighter and talking about his plan, instead of waffling rambling and complaining. That's good. And it's especially on an issue on diabetes.
Bush once again tries to trash Kerry. It was half successful, if only he had completed it ... I thought he was gonna talk straight to the people, but instead he quotes another report ... WHY?! Just kinda invalidated what you said earlier. Govt-run health care is poorer quality healthcare, Bush says. I'm sure a lot of Brits agree. Well, except that Kerry's is not govt-run ... hmmmz ... impressions matter don't they?
Why is Bush chuckling at email?!
On to social security ... It's a lot about fiscal discipline, so we'll see what happens.
Oh Kerry brilliantly related everything to jobs and fiscal policy. And then Bush tries to fool the middle class that their tax cuts are "more" than the upper class. Well yes, the total amount is more, but I betcha if I was middle class I lost more money.
WHY DOES BUSH KEEP CHUCKLING!? Especially at email!!! Why? Does he think getting email is very funny?! Now I'm offended. Wonder what he thinks of blogging. Oh does he know what's blogging, considering he called it "Internets"
I don't know much about immigration and border security, so I'm not gonna comment.
The Kerry Moment
Oooh minimum wage. Oh, this must be the Kerry moment. It was good, straight, and compelling. If he had only added "I'm tired of all the talk about family values without valuing families. I'm gonna do something." I was gonna say he needs to work on convincing people, but then again this is the last debate.
Okay, Bush is back onto education. I'm not so sure that works actually. I mean it's rational and it makes sense. But will the American buy it ...? It's time for Kerry to first push his point again across and point out the Bush is evading the qeustion, and to talk about education.
I realise that Kerry consistently does his homework on the home state he is in. Just a note. Don't know whether people take notice.
.... err sorry Mr President, but what's so liberal about saying 49% increase in education spending is not enough ...? Gosh, such a blatant label-for-the-sake-of-labelling.
And Kerry just broke the rules by speaking to the President directly ... haha. But it's a good time to do it.
URGH! It's a war! Get serious!
ARGH! MR PRESIDENT! WHY ARE YOU HAVING THAT BLAIRITE CHEESY GRIN WHEN KERRY IS TALKING ABOUT A WAR?!
Oh gosh, I know why he's grinning. He's thinking "HAHA Kerry is talking about war, now I'm gonna use the global test quote he said taht day yay!". First the "nuisance", then the "global test". Kerry MUST COME OUT STRONGLY TO REBUT THIS! For heavens sake. Oh okay he did it. And he appealed to common sense. Kerry is much better at being dismissive and cocky than Bush. Bush is just a little too scripted with his words and with his behaviour. Kerry is more Presidential.
CAN THE MODERATOR STOP ASKING FOREIGN POLICY QUESTIONS!? I can't imagine the MODERATOR breaking the rules ... Doesn't he understand I'm not prepared today to blog foreign policy?!
"We have won where Bill Clinton won." Oh yes, except that Clinton's foreign policy is ambivalent for Americans.
Every question an education question
Bush's "stroke" today is to turn every question into an education question. Jobs, minimum wage, affirmative action ... all come down to education. That's a very sound stand, but that's not answering the question.
I think the environmentalists are gonna boycott Bill Schiefer from today onwards. No question on the environment.
And now a question on faith. Kerry gets a second chance. Don't trash Bush please. Talk personally.
Bush talks well about faith. BUT, to call the army in Iraq "an army of compassion" is a little pushing it aint it ...
And here's the champion. Kerry turns a faith question into an education question!!! Oh my word. This is amazing. Okay then he comes back.
A good second last, an interesting last.
So much for trashing the moderator, this is a very good last question. And Kerry gave a good answer. On to Bush, and he really has a Texas record on that so he was credible 4 years ago. Notice Kerry brings up McCain and Bush brings up Ted Kennedy. Interesting. Except that "Bush can mention John McCain is for me as President" and make it sound good, Kerry can't say Kennedy ...
Now the wives questions ...
BUSH IS EXCELLENT AT SELF-DEPRECATING HUMOUR! "To stand up and not scowl"?! Haha oh gosh that's so funny. "She's speaking much better than I do, I mean people understand what she's saying." Oh good good comeback for Bush.
KERRY IS FUNNY TOO! "I think we all married up, maybe me more than the two of you." But he talked about his mother. Integrity, integrity, integrity. He should have poked more fun at himself for his ... self-absorption ... haha.
Why did I just KNOW that Kerry was gonna go "My felloow Americans". It's so important for somebody who wants to convince people to vote for him. It's an appropriate speech for the conclusion of the debates. Bush would do well if he repeats his convention performance. Hmmz, an ambivalent note. Do everybody believe spreading liberty is the best way to go forward?
Overall. Bush started really strong, and Kerry regained his focus later. Kerry was very strong in the middle, and Bush kinda faltered. But Bush came back. Overall this is a very unfocussed debate, but both did very well. It wasn't about anybody in particular. Nobody turned anybody around. Nobody talked about too many details. It's all very mixed. I think it was a pity nobody talked about environmentalism, and nothing about stem cell research. Kerry still has a slight edge, I think.
