TNR: Chimpy's Nasty Debate Demeanor Leads to Kerry Win

[jefferson_dem]

This, from Ryan Lizza -

Here is the simplest way to figure out who won the debate last night: When you went to bed, were you thinking more about Bush or Kerry? I was concentrating on the president. I kept thinking about the way he was yelling through the first half of the debate. I couldn't get the picture of him during the cutaway shots out of my head--that blinking blank face, obviously trying hard not to make any of those funny expressions from the first debate. And as I dozed off, I couldn't believe that in the postdebate coverage that I monitored across the three main cable channels not a single commentator mentioned what was the most astonishing and revealing moment of the evening: when Bush broke the rules and angrily cut off Charlie Gibson to respond to Kerry's charge about Bush's unilateralism. Here's what it looks like in the transcript, which hardly does the moment justice:

KERRY: We're going to build alliances. We're not going to go unilaterally. We're not going to go alone like this president did.

GIBSON: Mr. President, let's extend for a minute--

BUSH: Let me just--I've got to answer this.

GIBSON: Exactly. And with Reservists being held on duty--

(CROSSTALK)

BUSH: Let me answer what he just said, about around the world.

GIBSON: Well, I want to get into the issue of the back-door draft--

BUSH: You tell Tony Blair we're going alone. Tell Tony Blair we're going alone. Tell Silvio Berlusconi we're going alone. Tell Aleksander Kwasniewski of Poland we're going alone.

Bush was yelling during this exchange, and Gibson's effort to stop him was met with a look of contempt. The president simply ignored him and turned and addressed the audience member. What seemed like an aura of confidence about Bush morphed into bullying. It was the kind of moment that confirms one's suspicions about what Bush is like in private. No wonder aides are too meek to challenge him or bring the man bad news. No wonder the White House chief of staff is sometimes reduced to fetching Bush a hamburger.

<SNIP>

These lines did not move the conversation decisively back to Kerry. Even commentators who thought Bush won the debate did not cite Bush's attacks on Kerry's record as the reason for victory. All the pre- and postdebate posturing by Bush's aides suggest this was their principal objective. Bush didn't achieve it. Kerry won the first debate by making Bush the subject, both stylistically (those silly faces) and substantively (Bush's failed Iraq policy). To win last night and change the momentum of the race, Bush had to both end the journalistic intrigue about his demeanor and shock voters with loads of new information about Kerry's unacceptably liberal Senate record. He failed on both accounts. He had to send voters to bed last night with John Kerry on their mind, and I don't think he did it. Kerry is two for two.

http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=express&s=lizza100904

[chookie]

1. Ooops, there goes the likeability factor

Remember how they were hyping him as being likeable? And that Kerry was cold?

His behavior was despicable, childish, petulent. Bye bye "likeability" factor. He couldn't even control himself well enough to address the questioners with grace -- he was growling and shouting at them, too. Must have been fucking WEIRD to be some undecided bobo in St Louis, and be scared enough to begin with, and have His Chimperial Majesty going apeshit on your ass on national tv.

Kerry was calm, in command, utterly assured. He emotionally connected with people. He addressed their concerns, whereas Bush refused to even acknowledge their concerns had a right to exist.

Also -- the attempt by Bush to assassinate Kerry on the grounds of being an appeasing wimp or flip-flopper vanished as well. Said in the great man's presence, in front of the very eyes of the American people, Bush's claims evaporate. People can SEE who the strong leader is, and who is the idiotic prick.

[opihimoimoi]

3. The White House is NO PLACE FOR AMATUERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bush is Bush League...not ready for prime time, never was...

[glarius]

2. He looked on the verge of a complete nervous break down!!!!!!

I was amazed that after the debate, NONE of the pundits or talking heads spoke of his OBVIOUS inner turmoil....This man is not to be trusted at the head of the world's most powerful nation....He's UNSTABLE!

[chookie]

4. You know it's going really badly when...

...Bush supporters are saying these public displays of temper are good for America, because they make our enemies believe that Bush is crazy and capable of anything, so they fear us.

(Believe it or not, Nixon held the same belief. He used to ask Kissinger to "leak" to foreign leaders that Nixon was unstable.)

Gee, I get something totally different out of this. Bush is getting pissy when someone tries to get his to show his empty hand in a high stakes poker game. Kerry is playing master's level chess.

Who do you think can outsmart Al Qaeda? They're playing chess too....

[cali]

6. Unstable and

stupid and angry. A deadly combination. I came away from that debate deeply shaken by the knowledge that this man has his finger on the button.

[54anickel]

5. Be a great "ad", snipping that wild man response and look as he's

struggling to get to the big red button labeled "NUKE 'EM".

Alas, I wish I was talented with video image editing.

[Joe Turner]

7. "that blinking blank face"

Yes, Shrub looked hideously Vacant. Like nobody was home upstairs.

That stood out in my mind. Then who can forget his Big Tantrum when he sprung from his chair, screamed over Charlie Gibson's attempts to control him, and just when off the deep edge before millions with his wild rant.

That, along with his general belligerent, angry manner ("my way or the highway"..."I'm not listening to you", "I don't like people throwing the truth in my face", "If I said it, it must be true") is going to cost him the election.

I honestly think most Americans are, for the first time, witnessing what Bush is like without his handlers and carefully controlled scripts and are horrified.

They are now seeing how this Little Angry Petulant Man can rush this nation into war by abruptly sweeping aside good judgment, contrary analysis and reason.

Bush you are so toast.

[girl gone mad]

8. I agree.

Kerry wisely stayed out of the spotlight last night. He didn't make any mistakes or bold new assertions, he stayed calm and let Bush get all of the attention. I think that's a good strategy for him.

[skygazer]

9. He bullied Gibson

And he harangued the questioners, almost as if he were arguing with them, rather than answering their questions.

I loved the way Kerry, in contrast, spoke TO the questioners, remembered their names, returned to their questions later in the session and STILL remembered their names and who had asked what.

Once again, Kerry sounded sure and Bush sounded like he was trying to convince people. The contrast is startling.