All that glitters is not gold...
After watching "The" debate last night I went to bed thinking that Kerry had done fairly well, at least stylistically, and may even have helped himself - at least by making his base a little less nervous. When I awoke this morning I began to go over the whole thing in my mind. I was still mulling things over as I got in the car and the first thing I heard on the radio (local AM Talk) was an 'undecided voter' caller who said that Kerry didn't say anything that made him feel any better, and that Bush looked like "he had better things to do." That comment caught my attention but I didn't internalize it right away.
As I drove into work, with my mind on the debate and traffic, I turned the radio to listen to Imus. (The local stuff gets tedious and he's usually good for a chuckle or two) Imus was doing his regular shtick with some guest, and once the guest was off he made a comment that, combined with the local caller's a bit earlier, really struck me. He said that something in his gut tells him that the President resonated with the ordinary voter more than Kerry, and that he expected the 24 hour polls (as opposed to the overnights) to reflect that.
I really hate to say this, but I think Imus might just be right, because I had the same feeling too. Bush didn't look or sound as good as Kerry last night, but something about Kerry just didn't feel right. Perhaps he was too good, too polished, too composed. Then a line from one of my favorite books came to mind. In The Lord of the Rings, when the Hobbits first meet the character Strider, Frodo makes the comment:
I believed that you were a friend before the letter came, or at least I wished to. You have frightened me several times tonight, but never in the way that servants of the Enemy would, or so I imagine. I think one of his spies would - well, seem fairer and feel fouler, if you understand. (Fellowship of the Ring: p. 183)That was it! Yes, I understand, and the American people understand too. That is how I believe they are going to view this debate. Kerry looked good, said all the right things, and sounded authoritative and confident while saying them. The President looked tired and disheveled, and acted frustrated and more than a bit petulant. I believe the bulk of this country, the blue-collar workers, the farmers, the small business owners, the homemakers, and the janitors, are all going to say that while Kerry looked like he wanted to be President, and maybe even looked like could be, George Bush looked like he had a job to do and just wanted to get back to work!
Who do you think most Americans can relate to more?
UPDATE: Steve, I don't think Anthony will appreciate you stealing his schtick while he's asleep. - Chris
Comments
I FELT BUSH WAS TALKING TO ME ....BUT THAT KERRY WAS TALKING TO THE "MASSES". JUST MY OBSERVATION.
Posted by: sarah | October 1, 2004 10:17 AM
My point exactly, Sarah.
Posted by: Steve | October 1, 2004 10:20 AM
I thought Kerry looked polished and on track. He clearly defined certain aspects of his agenda that had been obscured and manipulated in the press. The unusually long pauses that G.W. took before making each comment made me feel as though he had no idea what to say, and when speaking about North Korea (between the 13 times he said "Ah"), you could almost read on his forehead "Don't screw this up!" He played it safe, he used the same mantra he has been using on Kerry all along, and while praising Kerry's character (when he was supposed to be discussing his faults) he didn't send a clear message to the American people. I also thought he sounded very cocky when saying things like I'm going to win, because the American people know I know how to lead. I've shown the American people I know how to lead.... I don't think it worked last night, and I don't think it will work on Nov, 2nd.
It also looks like Bush did have other things to do... Do you think that the new attacks (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64483-2004Oct1.html) in Iraq are anything but politically planned? What a great time to get the American people focused back on the war and off of the election.
Posted by: gg | October 1, 2004 11:21 AM
Goodness. Kerry may have looked "polished and on track", but he is on the wrong track. We shouldn't let (ugh) coiffed hair and sonorous utterances distract us from the implications of what he said- that he would proudly lead this nation into a future of insecurity, appeasement, and apology for who we are. With respect to both style and substance, Kerry is fool's gold, absolutely.
Bush was tired, and who can blame him? Tony Blair is having terrible heart problems. But both men and other staunch allies know they must stay the course for the sake of their countries and for the eventual good of others who need our intervention. The failed and corrupted beliefs and politics of some will fail and corrupt us, too, if we dither and appease. Bush is a man of action. Kerry is a man of (endless, damning and inconsistent) words. No amount of Kerry "polish" in last night's debate can change that fact.
Posted by: charlotte | October 1, 2004 12:23 PM
Dougie, you're a flaming moonbat. Do I think the battle conducted today was politically planned? Yup - by the terrorists. You know... THE ENEMY. Our response was only as political as their planned ambush was, and bringing people's attention back to the War on Terror IS focusing them on the election. You don't think this election will be decided by the candidates' positions on offshore drilling, do you?
Posted by: Chris | October 1, 2004 12:57 PM
After all of the debate talk today, I guess you can say that Mr. Kerry is this election's Master Debater!!
Posted by: Sue | October 1, 2004 01:16 PM
Please Sue... no more comments! You're just beating a dead hors... donkey!
Posted by: Steve | October 1, 2004 01:18 PM
Not like my shtick is original, or anything—and there's plenty of room in the good Professor's deplorable cultus.
Posted by: Anthony Perez-Miller | October 1, 2004 01:52 PM
Hubby and I were switching in and out on the debate, and afterwards I thought Kerry had won and I wished Bush had been more on the game ball. But, yeserday I was thinking about this, and one thing that kept sticking in my mind was the global test (what the hell is it???) and Bush's expressions. And thinking back on it, boy, now the Bush Campaigns has plenty of ammunitions, while all the DNC can come up with is the ad made up of Bush's facial expressions. It will be interesting to see what happens with the townhall debate - let's just hope the regular folks asks hard, thoughtful questions that are better formed than the moderator's softball questions. Yes, I've been decided over the past several months that my vote is going to Bush.
Posted by: Lola Lee | October 2, 2004 09:21 AM
I also believe Kerry is a great debator. It doesn't sway me from his career and that he has nothing in his past suggesting he could lead and protect America. I dont care about Bush's words, I care about his actions. Kerry showed that he is working for the goal he has prepared for since he became fascinated with JFK.
Posted by: Shari | October 6, 2004 10:41 PM
Shari, I think that's what's so funny about the way the MSM is reporting the after-debates. They can't conceive the difference between thinking objectively that someone won a debate and actually agreeing with them.
Posted by: Chris | October 7, 2004 10:36 AM