What if Kerry shouted down the moderator and took over the debate?

[KelleyKramer]

It was BushCo that demanded the 32 page written 'procedure' rules.

After the first debate, the same crew was crying fowl about Kerry taking a pen from his suit pocket.

What if Kerry shouted down the moderator and took over the debate?

[Honor Where Are You]

1. You know what would happen.

[ochazuke]

4. Yes. And if I may spell it out.

The media would be saying it's Al Gore sighing and invading Bush's space again, only much worse.

Republicans would be spinning it like "this man does not have the self-control necessary for the presidency."

That moment was the defining one of Bush's performance in this debate. His whole night was shifting his jaw around, blinking rapidly, smirking, frowning. Generally PETULANT all around. He even had a near-Hitlerian moment when he shouted out "This is a global conflict that requires firm resolve!" Hitler too was known to cut people off in conversation when they weren't echoing the proper sentiment. I wonder if the people in the front row where showered with spit.

Perhaps the lightest moment of the debate came about an hour into it when Kerry seemed apologetic for including the moderator as one of the three people in the hall who would pay more taxes under his plan. This was immediately followed by Bush shouting "It's just not CREDIBLE!!!" It reminded me of Will Ferrell's impression of Bush in the 2000 campaign when he was falling behind McCain. "Why is it so HAAARD!! Why doesn't someone tell him it's FIIIIIXED!!" The whine and constant emphasis on the last word combined has been a Bush trademark from that time on.

[chookie]

2. Remember when the strategy was showing how insane Democrats were?

It was bizarre. Suddenly, the guys in the Democratic primary were "insane." Dangerously crazed. The RNC even put together a video called "Coalition of the Wild Eyed", which had excerpts from speeches by Democrats denouncing Bush, and eventually morphed into an image of Hitler.

I have always maintained that one of Mr Rove's key strategies is to accuse his opponent of what he himself is or is doing. And so it is, with madness.

[uncertainty1999]

3. BUSH TACTIC: YELL/DISTRACT to prevent truth re: back-door draft to surface

I was furious that Charles Gibson did not follow up on what he was going to ask until he was interrupted -- that is, what about all of those reservists who have been in Iraq well beyond their initially planned stays?