Bush Fights to Keep Emotions in Check: The Guardian

[emad]

Bush Fights to Keep Emotions in Check

Saturday October 9, 2004 11:16 AM
By RON FOURNIER

AP Political Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush smirked and winked and chuckled to himself. He jumped from his stool, chopped at the air and interrupted the debate moderator. As he fought to keep his emotions in check during a combative debate with Sen. John Kerry, the president jokingly said, ``That answer almost made me want to scowl.''

Several answers brought Bush's emotions to the surface, for better or worse, as he sought to curb Kerry's momentum.

The question that hung over the second of their three debates was whether Bush's aggressive, hyper style was an effective tool or a damaging habit - an extension of his disastrous first debate performance. Reviews were mixed.

Bush ``seemed wound a bit too tight. He was a little like Nixon - sort of jumping out of his suit,'' said David Niven, political science professor at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. ``He looked bad on the TV close-ups.''

More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-4539473,00.html


Yep, just like Tricky Dickie

[carpediem]

1. I kept saying to my husband - * is fighting his face

He looked barely in control. Whereas Kerry never lost his cool.

One of my favorite unbelievable moments was when Kerry addressed him directly and * giggled. What is that- this is the leader of the free world?? -Ugh.

[emad]

2. UK BBC news did a take on this after the first debate, showing

Junior's contant grimaces, weird facial expressions and bewildering body language, then compared it to Kerry's calm, authoritative posture. They then asked "who do you think looked more like a commander in chief?"....nearly fell off the chair from laughing...

[emad]

3. Analysis: Tough fight leaves race open

By Justin Webb
BBC correspondent in St Louis, Missouri


Senator Kerry started where he left off in the first debate. He was aggressive with the president, standing and addressing him directly. And President Bush was much better, much more assured, much more presidential.

George W Bush was more assured than in the first encounter
He managed to control his temper and state his arguments more directly and clearly.

Polls show that John Kerry's strong performance in the first debate have allowed him to close the gap with President Bush, and the second, more evenly matched, debate will keep the race close going into the last head-to-head next week.

President Bush turned in a performance that will reassure and re-energise his supporters. He tried some humour and, although it did not always work, just the fact that he tried a lighter touch suggests that he was more confident. There were a couple of times where he got a little testy, but he managed to keep his temper under control.
More:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3729118.stm