Debate assessment: Kerry spoke to people, Bush yelled at the room

[zulchzulu]

That was my overall impression. Kerry spoke to the person who asked the question. Bush listened to the question and then yelled at the room with his 30 minutes of material in a 90 minute debate.

[Cattledog]

1. Exactly

Bush must have been thought being loud was presidential and strong. NOT!!!!!!!!!

[newyawker99]

31. Hi Cattledog!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Wind Dancer]

2. Kerry is much more personable.

He addresses everyone by name and talks to them directly.
The shrub strutted around like a spoiled baby who is not used to waiting his turn.

[sbj405]

3. Absolutely, Bush missed the point that these were actual people. .

that might not vote for him. He's so used to talking to his loyaly oathing signing crowds.

I was very impressed when JK went back and addressed the woman who had asked the question about Americans abroad. It was several questions later, he rememebered her name, etc.

[sandnsea]

4. I thought he was rude and kind of scary

On that last Iraq question, I thought he was going to freak out right there on the stage. He was an ass. Intimidating, that's the word.

[Lugnut]

8. I was shocked

When he flipped out, took the floor and talked right over Gibson. Very rude IMHO.

[JimmyJazz]

11. Forget IMHO - that 's what he did! he was very abrasive and

obnoxious - you were being kind with your IMHO!

[CitySky]

26. Good Night!

I thought for a minute he was going to THROTTLE Gibson!

[LTR]

5. Good assessment

Bush seemed to overcompensate for last week. We saw a man who was impatient, resorted to simple name calling, and still seemed like a used car salesman. He was too jumpy and on the defensive. He wouldn't even let the moderator complete sentences (whereas Kerry was paitent and polite). And I thought at one point he was going to attack the audience. He spazzed out.

Kerry was in control, and he actually talked WITH people, not at them. He did as well tonight as he did last week. And he did even better at combatting criticism of him (handled the 'flip-flop' thing very well.

Bush was better tonight, but way too over the top. Kerry kicked his ass. Kerry was in control. Bush wasn't.

[mermaid]

9. That Was My Basic Assessment, As Well

Bush did better this time (how could anyone POSSIBLY do WORSE than last time??) but he still lost it, and lost it big.

He was his same arrogant, selfish, petulant self-satisfied Smirk.

[Sparkly]

6. Right, he was yelling as if he were not the incumbent

as usual... As if a Senator had caused the problems HIS policies caused.

[JimmyJazz]

12. great point - he did seem to blame the senator for any shortcomings of

his administration!

[betterdeadthanred]

7. Bush came off as a hothead

I want someone not so damn trigger happy and so closed minded to other people's views.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

10. i agree...exactly

[high density]

13. I agree

Bush had his typical "I'm right and don't f--kin' question me!" swagger about him.

[newsguyatl]

14. i couldn't agree more

i just posted a similar thread.

his performance was unbelievable for a commander and chief.


what an embarrassment.

[Tatiana]

15. People will call this a draw, but I think this is a more decisive win for

Kerry than the first debate in the sense that I believe he truly connected with the average American in this debate. He showed understanding and respect for all of our values, whether he claimed them or not. He exhibited responsibility, accountability, and empathy (a BIGGIE that Clinton had in spades) with the common person. It was an amazing contrast up there. Both men Yale graduates. Both men from privileged backgrounds. But one wants to be the President of a certain segment of people, while the other man pledges to be a President that governs for all.

This was the difference for me.

[hansolsen]

24. I liked many of his answers and he came across as more likeable. N/T

[KittyWampus]

Kerry Also Took Time To Learn About Actual Situation In Missouri

[AlinPA]

16. You nailed it. Bush* was shouting and sneering most of the time.

[GainesT1958]

17. Dub looked like the raving lunatic...

Who's not taking his meds.:crazy:

Kerry looked like..well, he looked like a PRESIDENT!:D

Dub may show up for #3, but he might as well declare a terra-ist alert and stay home. Kerry's not only 2-for-2, he's pretty much put this one away. Now, if all of us who think so just make sure at least 10 others who think so go vote on Nov. 2, Kerry WILL put Dub away...eventually, maybe even litterally!:eyes:


:kick: 2-for-2, baybee!:7

B-)

[NewJeffCT]

18. good line - may I used it in my LTTEs?

Please?

[zulchzulu]

30. Please do!

We are family...

[Mr_Spock]

19. I agree with the title completely - his base want's that - but not indepen

dant voters. Being "fathered" to is a freeper trait and makes him look weak to anybody who has any understanding of human behavior.

[TexasThoughtCriminal]

20. Shrub was like an annoyed parent

I make the hard decisions around here! It's hard work! Now watch this swing.

[kentuck]

21. I think this was the image most people carried from the debate....

Excellent point, zulchzulu. No doubt, the Bush supporters will feel much better than the last debate because he was aggressive, albeit ignorantly so. They live to fight another day.

However, I think most of America saw a man that looked like Jimmy Swaggart on acid, yelling over people and pretending that only he had all the answers and only he was right. He looked like a dangerous person to many people, in my opinion.

Kerry did appear a little nervous at the beginning of the debate but he did settle in very quickly. His responses were intelligent and he did leave Bush looking like Alfred E Neuman two or three times. But Bush made an effort not to make faces like the last time, but it was "hard"... :)

[phish420]

22. Absolutely

[hansolsen]

23. Right on. That's what I thought too. N/T

[Bread and Circus]

25. Exactly !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CitySky]

27. Calling People By Their Names

The candidate called "John" addressed people in the audience by their names -- Robin, Matthew, Nikki, Elizabeth... did the other candidate (you know, the jumpy-looking guy?) do that -- even ONCE???

[Tangledog]

29. He did at first

But then he -- somewhat obviously -- didn't acknowledge Nikki by name (it's hard work telling them apart, you know) and his interest in names was fairly sporadic after that.

What a contrast, I swear.

[wysiwyg]

28. I thought Bush settled down after that...

I watched C-span who I thought was pretty meticulous in not showing many reaction shots of the non-speaking candidates.

It might just be because he was losing his voice but I thought Bush settled down after he walked all over Gibson and didn't get my attention with any extra agression after that.

That said, I think any actually undecided women would be the most turned off by the loud, agressive, and angry Bush I saw in the first half. In the end I think Kerry won because what he said actually imparted some understanding of how he would govern, his plans, and how he thinks. I particularly liked his explanation on how to identify a good judge; i.e. you can't tell the judge's politics, race, or gender just from opinions written by that judge.

[fishwax]

32. Kerry led, bush lectured

that's how I saw it.

[C_U_L8R]

33. It wasn't so much yelling

It was just more loud whining.

Bunnypants sounded like a big spoiled baby.
Whine whine whine.
It's not my fault... Whine Whine
It's hard work. Whine

Good lord, does he speak to other world leaders this way ?
No wonder they think he's such an ass.