Salon: War Room ’04

[kskiska]

Whine merchant

Bush succeeded in squelching his scowls this time, even joking in response to one Kerry broadside, "That answer almost makes me want to scowl." All right, the line had all the spontaneity of a Karen Hughes pre-debate strategy session. But at least the scowls were replaced by intent, if somewhat vacant stares while Kerry was speaking, and of course, the requisite mad scribbling. But the other little problem from last week’s debate was, unfortunately, very much in evidence: the whine.

What is it about President Bush that makes him confuse a resolute tone with a screechy one? For 90-minutes plus, Bush hunched his shoulders and delivered a steady stream of high-pitched hectoring. His supporters always go on about Bush’s firm convictions. But for a man who supposedly possesses such deep belief, he sounds awfully pleading and uncertain.

Bush’s nagging tone of voice is all the more irritating, because it sounds as if he’s trying to explain something obvious to a simpleton. But the simplest person in the room is usually him.

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