CSpan now! Bush vs. Gore debate 2000 - Town Meeting. Compare

[kittykitty]

the 2000 bush with the 2004 bush. Just started. He seems more articulate.

[The Minus World]

1. Indeed

I think his slightly better diction has to do with the fact that, at that point, he didn't have such a horrendous track record to defend. He's on the defensive, since he has to parse his words so heavily. His performance will only diminish further from this point.

[kittykitty]

2. he's able to speak extemporaneously, more so than now

Still the cowboy thug, he doesn't do the pouty twisted mouth. He was in much better shape mentally then. He is sick-o now.

[knowbody0]

3. amazing contrast

the emperor today knows we know he knows we know
this is sublime. i am teaching my children how lies destroy the liar
the man they watched debating kerry looked like an idiot.
i need to send him a thank you card for this educational tool

[soothsayer]

6. I had no idea he was so lucid back then. He surely has deteriorated!

What the hell happened? Or was he more comfortable lying when he knew no one would know he was lying, whereas now....it's obvious that he's a fraud?

[kittykitty]

4. He was still testy, didn't like being attacked

but he was able to think on his feet and speak in long, complex sentences instead of the 6 word phrases that passes for speech these days.

[Cozmosis]

5. I can see

Why Gore came off so bad. He seems so stuffy. Bush came off as a better everyman here. He also spoke well. He didn't have a horrendous administration behind him already.

[kittykitty]

7. the contrast between 2000 and 2004 is stunning

Hard to believe its the same man.

He said if he ever had to take the nation to war, it would be with a well defined mission and a clear exit strategy.

Soldiers will be well paid, well housed and with the best equipment in the world.

[Zen Democrat]

8. It's obvious that Bush is back on the bottle now.

So many threads on DU question what's wrong with the Chimp. Is he delusional? Is he on meds? Is he having seizures?

All the above are probably true -- but that fact is, it's just damned obvious that this man is a hard drinker and his brain cells are gone.

He probably was on the wagon in 2000. But, my God, he's just a drunk talking nonsense these days.