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Originally posted by smirkley
Just started watching the Presidential debates, and I observed two things immediately..
1 - Kerry's hands are shaking..
2 - Bush has dry mouth
They seem to both be pretty nervous.
Originally posted by onlyinmydreams
France is an ally?
Anyways, I honestly think Bush will do better during the domestic debate because it might cover social issues... which were always Bush's strong point.
Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
Bush is a good deal more astute than most give him credit for.
Originally posted by onlyinmydreams
South Florida is a heavily democratic area, so those polling stats aren't that surprising... which gets me to...
I still think the closest parallel, here, is to the 1984 election. Reagan was trailing during the summer, closed the gap -- while facing similar criticisms -- and is universally considered to have 'botched' the first debate. He was over-prepared and, so, sounded like he was always reciting prepared lines and stats... stats he often jumbled.
However, for the second debate, he was deliberately under-prepared. This allowed his natural charisma to come out.
I think a similar thing will happen with Bush. The next couple of debates will be on domestic and social issues. He'll have to defend his job record... but, come on, when it comes to social issues he'll kick ass.
Originally posted by saturnine_sweet
I think, reading here, and watching analysis, what frightens me the most is how many people were impressed by kerry because of his appearance. These debates are to help choose a president, not a poster boy. I honestly don't care if someone is smooth or it they are clumsy; I care what they answer. And while I didnt like several of Bush's answers, it was obvious he actually thought his reply through and that they were honest answers. Kerry just looked like another clinton to me, a smooth-talker who uses that to impress the masses who put appearance before all else. If you choose your canidate for their policies, beliefs, etc., good for you. But if you were one of the many who went on about how smooth and impressive kerry looked, I hope you don't vote, whomever your vote might be for. You're the cancer that is killing america.
Originally posted by Jazzerman
Originally posted by Zipdot
Kerry's entire time was taken up by world government sayings - "the African Union" "UN this!" "UN that!" "Britfrancermany!"
Its called "education" and "knowledge". Kerry knew exactly what he was talking about, and I personally had no trouble following him. That being said...if you haven't watched presidential debates in, say, the last 20 years you would know they always skirt around the issues. Both Bush and Kerry did it to an extent, but I was quite surprised to see Kerry as poised as he was, and Bush being the aptly named "skirter".
PS- When did Kerry say "Britfancermany"?
[edit on 30-9-2004 by Jazzerman]