Debate Hangover

[bemildred]

I know, I know, the source and all, but I couldn't pass up the
title. :-)

HERE'S WHY President Bush survives the gauntlet of three nationally televised debates: the Kerry contradiction. John Kerry is glib and knowledgeable and smart enough in his attacks on Bush to stop short of being overbearing and abrasive. But the dominant issue in the campaign is Iraq, and that's where the contradiction comes in. Kerry would have you believe that the war in Iraq is a horrible fiasco we never should have gotten into--and he's just the guy to win it. Does anyone really believe that, even Kerry himself? I doubt it.

Weekly Standard

[Miss Authoritiva]

1. Barnes is Bob Boudelang with spell-checker.

"Kerry would have you believe that the war in Iraq is a horrible fiasco we never should have gotten into--and he's just the guy to win it. Does anyone really believe that, even Kerry himself? I doubt it."

Hmmm. Where to start.

First, Kerry doesn't have to convince me that Iraq is a horrible fiasco. I pretty much figured that out on my own.

Second, Kerry doesn't have to convince me that we never should have gotten into Iraq. I pretty much figured that out when France, Germany, and Russia took a pass and the WMDs never turned up.

Third, Kerry doesn't have to convince me that he's just the guy to win it. I pretty much figured that out when I figured out that George Bush was not the guy to win it.

Fourth, Mr. Barnes asks, "Does anyone really believe that?" Well, yes. I do.

Fifth, Mr. Barnes ponders, "Even Kerry himself?" I don't know for sure, but I assume he does.

Sixth, Mr. Barnes asserts, "I doubt it." Well, I don't doubt that you doubt it, Mr. Barnes, because I know where you're allegiances lie and who signs your paycheck.

Just file Barnes' column under: Geesh, and they pay people (good money, too) to write this stuff?!

[bemildred]

2. Oh, the piece is Bullshit.

Although it does seem exemplary of one of the major
modes of wingnut spin right now, the best they can do
at this point is this sort of thin, illogical gruel.

But I thought the title "Debate hangover" was unintentionally
funny in the context, no doubt Shrub had a rather strong
"Debate Hangover" the next day.

[Miss Authoritiva]

3. I knew you knew it was bullshit. And you know I knew it was bullshit!

I just love to shoot down their arguments. And, as I said, I'm amazed that people get paid really good money to write this drivel. I've seen much better written opinion pieces (all parties, all sides) in college newspapers.

I wonder why Barnes didn't try to argue the point that Bush is the man to fix the problems facing the country.

Oh wait. I know why.

[bemildred]

4. Well, it is amazing.

I tend to filter it out, like smog.
Don't let me stop you, practice is always a good thing.

[Nimrod]

5. I don't understand how...

Anybody can't understand this. Actually, I suppose I can, they don't WANT to understand it.

Sometimes you have to deal with a screwed up situation. Anybody can walk into a nice easy situation where everything is running right and have a good go - it takes a stronger person to deal with something that's screwed up. That's it.

The war in Iraq is completely fucked. Kerry is saying, "This is fucked, but I can fix it." Zero contradiction.

[bemildred]

6. You cannot tell anybody anything they don't want to hear.

"All lies and jest, still, a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest." -Simon & Garfunkel, The Boxer

And of course, Monty Python's Black knight scene:

http://www.mwscomp.com/movies/grail/grail-04.htm

[myopic4141]

7. The greater chance of winning.

Kerry has the greater chance of winning between Bush and Kerry. Bush got us into this mess and is only digging deeper. His honking off our allies make it almost impossible for him to bring anyone else on board. Kerry may or may not be able to improve things; but, it is more than unlikely that he will or can make matters worse. On the otherhand, if Bush stays in, things will get worse rather than possibly get worse.