The Unofficial Real Time Presidential Debate Thread

Originally posted by drfunk
Kerry won. He appealed to the working and middle class much better and offered a vision for the future. I think he had it in the bag with the minimum wage argument, bush didn't know what to say coz his administration won't raise it and just give more money to the corporations.

thanks,
drfunk

He clearly won and as opposed to Bush, gives hope to the American people. Bush cant see beyond his bogus war.

ps. I live in Tempe Arizona, and now Bush is at the ball game where nothing but REPUBLICANS have showed up to gather and worship our lord Bush. sick.

World Watcher,

I've always thought that when they are running for office, they should honestly tell the voters what they believe, what they will try to do if they are elected.

Once they are actually in office, they should listen to the wishes of those who put them in office, especially a 'new' development that was not 'covered' during their campaign. After all they are supposed to 'represent' the majority of their constituents.

( PS --I thought Edwards mentioned Cheney's daughter rather tactfully. Cheney seemed genuienly appreciative in his response to Edwards. It actually gave Cheney an opportunity to seem the most human I have seen to date. It's not like Edwards called him a hypocrite. )

Originally posted by Mirthful MeGeorge is genuine, Kerry is Kerry. George married the woman he loved. Kerry married the woman that could support him.

Tell me this: is that wrong? Is it wrong to marry a woman that supports you? Does that make her worth less? Does that mean Kerry does not love his wife? Does this mean that Kerry's perception of whom he should marry is bad judgement?

WTH???

Were you people watching the same debate as I was? Bush won my behind! It was almost embarrassing...the man comes across as such a dolt! It seemed like he became easily flustered everytime he was asked a question...he desperately kept bringing up his lame "No Child Left Behind" program...give me a break. Oh and I loved his profound response when they asked him how his faith came into play as president...such an idiot.
At one point of the debate Bush looked like he was going break down and cry you could just tell he was dying to get out of there...

As for Kerry, I think he did a good job tonight but he seemed...tired or something. If you actually listen to the man talk he makes a lot of good points...it's the delivery he needs to work on. Also...Kerry, yes we know Cheney's daughter is gay...we got it.

Anyways there's no point debating this...the republicans will always back up their republican candidate, the democrats will always lean towards their candidate as well...so meh. Will the country ever be united...doubt it very seriously.

Originally posted by Valhall
Okay, I take back what I said...finally decent domestic issue questions...and by the way, Bush is kicking K-arse!

W00T!

Originally posted by Valhall
Kerry just needs to have a pinch-hitter step in....he can't open his mouth without getting slapped backwards.

W00T!

Originally posted by Valhall
To listen to them!

To stand up straight and not scowl.

W00T!

Could you please stop saying "W00T!"?

First of all, I must say that the wardrobe managers need at least one gay man to ensure that �your date does not dress like you.�

Tonight�s debate was not a win or even a draw, it was purely a matter of campaign rhetoric. Nonetheless as a foreigner, there are a few things I noticed which would stay with me if it were candidates in my country vying for the top seat. So I ask my American friends to consider before they cast their vote.

The very first question was regarding the shortage of the flu vaccine. Bush responded in a manner that immediately brought back memories of 9/11, in that American media was quick to blame Canada for the advent of the terrorists� entry into the US. Bush blamed what he has referred to repeatedly in the past, as your best friend, England, for the vaccine problem. He then said he was looking to Canada to fill the shortfall, Canada, the very country to which 5 days ago he levied his distrust with regard the importation of drugs. Later he criticized socialist countries for �having poor healthcare.� Whereby, Canada is often criticized for its healthcare, it just strikes me as odd that he looks to a poor provider to solve the flu vaccine problem.

In contradictingKerry on his stance on terrorism being reduced to a nuisance, Bush declared that reducing the importance of terrorism to that of prostitution is �dangerous,� which leads me to ask the question then; when will America under Bush's purview, place as much emphasis on the war on whores? Granted, his statement may not have meant what I interpreted.

Bush claims Kerry voted 127 times against tax reductions in 20 years. I understood that the federal budget was presented once yearly, so in 20 years I would want to know what comprises 6.035 nay votes a year, so as to be clear that one nay vote is not counted in multiplicity.

On the job market, Bush hangs his hat on education. It seems essential to him that the general public have an education to compete for the jobs loss. To this I ask? Is it a requirement to have a degree to sweep floors, clean toilets or work on assembly line? Further into the debate the issue of illegal Mexicans came up and again the jobs were addressed as to the minimum wage in that the Mexicans come to the US to work from 50 cents to $5./hour. Well what jobs are Mexicans with presumably far less an education, and introductory English speaking skills, more qualified to hold over educated Americans? Finally, an educated person would hope to make more than minimum wage, otherwise, why go to college? But how can they compete with working in Indians educated or otherwise who will accept wages not only undercutting minimum wage, but corporations taking advantage of offshore tax havens?

Interesting indeed was the question regarding the Catholic Church and abortions. I note that the Bush campaign strategists solicited the RCC for support and support they seem to have found. Bush�s advantage was his visits to the Vatican. However, the RCC does not like the abortion issue and appeal to good Roman Catholics everywhere to note how sacrilegious such an act is to their God. Yet, this church is not affording the same attention to the death penalty, and this church inherently subscribes to sex for procreation only, and at best, Vatican roulette.

Of note: It seems that Bush made a promise to his wife that he did not keep.

The most elitist line of the debate: � I met with the black congress and caucus at the White House��


[edit on 10/13/04 by SomewhereinBetween]

Originally posted by Blackout

Originally posted by Valhall
Okay, I take back what I said...finally decent domestic issue questions...and by the way, Bush is kicking K-arse!

W00T!

Originally posted by Valhall
Kerry just needs to have a pinch-hitter step in....he can't open his mouth without getting slapped backwards.

W00T!

Originally posted by Valhall
To listen to them!

To stand up straight and not scowl.

W00T!

Could you please stop saying "W00T!"?

I think so...

W00T!

Originally posted by Valhall

Originally posted by Blackout

Originally posted by Valhall
Okay, I take back what I said...finally decent domestic issue questions...and by the way, Bush is kicking K-arse!

W00T!

Originally posted by Valhall
Kerry just needs to have a pinch-hitter step in....he can't open his mouth without getting slapped backwards.

W00T!

Originally posted by Valhall
To listen to them!

To stand up straight and not scowl.

W00T!

I think so...

W00T!

More profound statements from our fellow conservatives...

In my humble and esteemed opinion I find that Kerry won the debate. He leaves us with several unanswered questions but Bush leaves us with depressing gaps in what was once called America.

Neither candidate is really better, but America is broke and I'm voting Kerry to fix it. Kind of like Brownian motion.

Originally posted by worldwatcher

Originally posted by worldwatcher
what's better when it comes to a political office?

doing what the people want and being swayed by their opinions?

Or

doing what you want and believe, regardless of what the people want and their opinions?

anyone?

Did I get lost in the shuffle?? anyone??? I would really like to hear an opinion. I believe I am truly an "undecided" voter and it will come down to me standing in the booth to make a decision (unlike O'Reilly who claims to be undecided)

A combination is appropriate IMO. Key word of Representative Republic being obvious I hope. But when you go with your convictions and beliefs against the will of the people based on your ideology, all I ask is a leader have a damn good reason and be willing to talk about it and defend it with plausible reasoning, not more ideology.

Obviously, I don't think that's Bush.

Aside: Press is whomping on Bush anyway. CNN Scientific polls of debate viewers (not internet) are all as up for Kerry as the first win. I can't believe I heard a PUNDIT scream 3 4 3!

This one was decisive where it matters. You know with the people.

Kerry won hands down as they say.

Kerry is a much better debater, of that there is no question. His speaking skills are better and he did come across as thoughtful, But IMHO he lost because he did not come across as human. He was unable to express any compassion, or genuine feeling at any time in the debate. Even when asked questions which could only be awnsered by emotion, feeling, or passion. When asked about the Catholic church he reminded me of a professor in comparitive theology adressing a university class. I personally dont care whether Kerry is a catholic or not, but when he says he is, and hs actons say he sn't there s a problem. Now if you truly bvelieve in catholisim, islam, christianity or any ther religon and the leaders of that religon call you "evil" you are going to have an emotional response. He had none. When asked about thier wives kerry displayed as much affection or feeling as I would when discussing my vacum cleaner. I thnk that his performance in this debate, while technically excellant, has cost him the election. Not because he did not adress his points in an educated thoughful manner, but because he displayed no humainty. People don't vote for robots and that how he came across in my honest opinion.

Originally posted by mwm1331
People don't vote for robots and that how he came across in my honest opinion.

You are so right !!!

but what if "people" are robots, brainwashed by media, by politics, by schools, by religion, by family...?

ah ah..things get trickier dont you think?

so we could arge that robots vote for those who do not look like robots?
Or people vote for robots because they want control?
Or People vote for people because robots are boring?
oh man my head hurts....!!!

this last so called debate, was more of the same...in the end, BUT, they at least mentioned the south border, but they dodged the question, they said they would make the borders safer bla bla bla but nothing concrete, like NO ANMENSTY DEPORTATION, or amnesty for those who have this BALBALBLA....

Its being said that this election is going to be decided by the minorities :blacks, hispanics etc I really felt it witht the question on inmigration, they did not want to get into the dirt so both dodged the question and gave a "best of both worlds" kind of answer.

.....

Who really cares? I don't think the people on here care too much. The majority of you are completely biased one way or the other. You see a thread, click on it and start your automaton-style rhetoric without really thinking the damned thought through. It is YOU (those that are limited in scope and say I'm Republican, or I am Democrat) that is sending America down the so-called "rocky road."

Why don't you try something new, and actually form a self-made opinion instead of logging onto your parties' website to find it....