I am scared to death.

[IdaBriggs]

I admit it. Tonight's debate has me more nervous than I was for the other two combined. The bar is set EXTREMELY high for Kerry, and disgustingly LOW for the incumbent. For Kerry to be declared the winner, he has to just absolutely blow everyone away; Bush can't drool on himself, and the pundits will be swooning.

I know Kerry is going to be a fabulous President. I'm an Independent, and frankly, I'm expecting him to irritate the beans out of both the Democrats and the Republicans once he gets into office, but I'm okay with that, because it will be his job to govern the entire country. There is going to be a huge mess to clean up, and if we thought winning the election was a lot of work, the bad news is that its going to get worse for a while before it gets better AND the Republicans are going to be fighting us the whole darned way. That is assuming Kerry doesn't die in a mysterious plane crash or something before he is sworn into office.

I trust John Kerry. I was an "Anybody but Bush" but he sold me during his convention speech. I trust him with my country, I trust him with my soldiers, and I trust him with my money. I even trust this combat tested Navy veteran to keep my people safe. I trust his wisdom and his courage, his compassion and his intelligence. I also know he's going up against one of the most evil people on the planet, and his little minions in the media aren't going to do anything to make sure its a fair playing field.

But I'm still scared. John Kerry is only human, and its been a long battle. He's fighting for other people, not himself -- the man could be retiring on his own private island if he was selfish; he's Robin Hood to Prince George! At some level, I'm worried that he's going to just decide he doesn't need the grief, and dump us all. Who could blame him?

And then I remind myself that I trust him. He does what he's doing because its the right thing to do, and he's a good man. But we've only been "dating" for a few months, so I guess its normal to be nervous about this type of commitment!!!

I'll be praying again tonight. I'll call Silent Unity (24 hour prayer support 800-669-7729) and then I'll log onto DU. If someone else has started the prayer thread, I'll join in. If not, I'll start one of my own. Tonight isn't about fair; its about winning, and since there is nothing else I can think of to do to help, I'll pray for clarity, courage, peace, and wisdom -- not just for John Kerry, but for myself as well.

Honestly, I think I need it worse than he does!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. Bush's economic record is the worst. Calm down

Kerry will prevail.

[hatrack]

6. Have to agree - this is the domestic policy debate, and the formal format

Bush has nothing domestic to run on, though he'll try and shoehorn 9/11 into his answers somehow.

He also sucked in the more structured debate setting, and I'm confident he will again tonight, particularly if he carries over the Alpha Male Baboon stage antics of last week's performance.

[Catherine Vincent]

2. Don't believe the hype.

Pundits say Bush* HAS to win tonight. So what if he does? (which he won't). Kerry will still outdebate Bush. Kerry will win the election.

[Guaranteed]

3. Don't be.

Kerry's a pro. There's no one else I'd want up there. No one has more experience at his age than him.

Plus, we've got the truth on our side.

[faithnotgreed]

11. right on! there is no one else i would want up there either.

you cannot help but be in awe of his out and out cool, and his experience, and his integrity. he is my political guy (i have rooted for him since the anwar drilling subject came to light)

i admire howard dean, jimmy carter and wes clark too, for the same reasons. they have integrity, real sense, and arent into being a "politician"

kerry just exudes confidence but is so grounded at the same time. i know he is going to do great tonight and be an exceptional president.

[demokatgurrl]

4. Wonderful post-

I feel the same way about Kerry but you have said it so much more eloquently than I could have. Many times I have wondered why he keeps on, particularly when the Swift Boat Liars were constantly in the news- I figured he must wake up some days and say "who needs this"? That tells me he is acting for us, not himself.

I think he will be fine tonit. He is strong, and smart, and won't lose his temper unless Bush says something REALLY despicable. You're right, the bar is set very high for him but I have faith in him.

[TexasSissy]

22. Ditto. I am now pro-Kerry, not just ABB. I can only have faith.

I can only vote. How does he do it, with all the pressure? How do either of 'em do it, for that matter?

Phew. I'm nervous, too.

[babylonsister]

5. I have complete faith!

Mr. Kerry is so intelligent, has so much integrity, is so honest, all qualities that the current clown lacks. He'll be great!

[juliagoolia]

7. DItto Ida

I might call Silent Unity too.

I've done it many times before when life was on the edge or things were at risk for me and my nation. I feel the same way you do, and my husband probably does too as yesterday on the way out of the room in a unusual way he remarked.. I've been praying about this Julia..

Me too!!!!!!!!!!

We must collectively see John Kerry taking the OATH during the inaguration. Mind over matter works.

Call me crazy but nothing was ever done in the world that was not seen in the mind beforehand!

We must see him taking office together!

[K8-EEE]

8. Oh, Chill Out

The first two debates proved it: Bush has got nothin'. Nothin'. He's just going to try to run out the clock with his same old tired rhetoric.

The good news about the debates is people are watching them. They're paying attention. When you see GWB unscripted and unfiltered, it's very startling for a lot of people who are used to the Hannitized version.

Besides, it does no good to be scared. Be confident! We DEFINITELY have the candidate who is up to the task. GWB is in meltdown mode. I would HATE to be him.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

9. Have faith.

Kerry delivers. I've seen him do it time and again. He has not let me down even once. I believe.

I will be praying, too. I have to take my daughter to horseback riding lessons from 6:30 to 7:30 but will be getting home as fast as I can, praying the whole way.

He'll be STUPENDOUS!!!! That's my firm prediction!

(bush SUCKS on domestic issues....bet they've been tutoring him for WEEKS on what they ARE. Watch Kerry pull something out bush doesn't even KNOW about!!!)

[flpoljunkie]

10. I'm not. JK is armed with the truth of Bush's failed record. He will

close the deal tonight. John Kerry has shown courage under fire all his life. He will not disappoint.

[tedoll78]

12. Keep in mind..

this format is to Kerry's advantage.

First of all, the timer keeps his answers succinct and tight. Very nice, preventing him from getting wordy.

Second, we're going to see the height difference between the two men FOR THE ENTIRE DEBATE. It's my own personal theory that this is one thing that hurt Bush in the first debate. It may work subconsciously, but to see Kerry tower over the top of his podium while Bush is struggling to see over his.. really sweet.

Third, Kerry's coaches have probably run him through every possible question known to man for this debate. The man is smart. His answers are ready, his statistics are memorized, his slam lines at the ready.

Finally, it isn't all entirely on Kerry's shoulders. For this debate, we have 48 hours of spin before the weekend begins.. significantly longer than the last two. We need to work the internet, the phone lines, the snail mail, the real life conversations.. we need to do our part in the heavy lifting of the spin war afterwards. And from the first three debates of this season, we have every reason to be confident in our abilities.

So relax. Have a drink. Take a chill pill. Watch some comedy. Have faith in Kerry, and in our team.

[deadparrot]

Personally, this is the debate I've been least worried about...

and I've been a handwringer over the last three.

Seeing as the last debate was called a "draw" by most pundits, it has actually raised the bar for * (not too high, mind you, but higher than before debate #2).

Next, domestic issues are *'s weak points. In the first debate, it was foreign policy, his so-called "specialty," and Friday night was a town hall format, where he could supposedly connect with voters better than Kerry.

He's back up at the podium tonight, definitely a more formal format. He'll be slumped over again, chugging glass after glass of water. This is NOT a forum in which * can shine.

Finally, Kerry has not been called a "closer" without reason. I'm almost sure this will be his knockout punch. Kerry absolutely shines in this forum. We saw it in the first debate. He looks and sounds presidential, sure of himself.

Am I nervous? Yeah, but I'm always nervous before these things. Kerry will be fine.

[bigtree]

13. Life

PRAYER is the little implement
Through which men reach
Where presence is denied them.
They fling their speech

By means of it in God’s ear;
If then He hear,
This sums the apparatus
Comprised in prayer.

-Emily Dickinson

[incapsulated]

14. I feel just the opposite

Kerry will kill him on Domestic Policy. He will also be better in this debate, I think. Bush isn't going to implode like the first time, that is clear, and I think Kerry will be more aggresive.

[many a good man]

15. Bush: ideological platitudes and record of failure

Versus
Kerry: intelligent plans and hope for the future.

Our man has done a fabulous job in turning back the "flip-flop" label and now even leads bush* in trustworthiness. He must continue to attack credibility and present his strong plans comprehensibly. This is the NIGHT OF HIS LIFE and as you know JOHN KERRY ALWAYS COMES THROUGH!

Wouldn't want to be bush* tonight!

[Free2BMe]

16. The stock market dropped to 10002 today..wish it had done the dip

below but...really there is no good news for George to run on except that the ranch is empty and ready for him even if Crawford isn't...Curious, George.

[Gabi Hayes]

17. BIG problem for the chimp, though: the pressure is on him like it's

NEVER EVER been before in his whole life!

if he gives a washout performance like the first two, he KNOWS he's toast

let me amend that: his puppeteers know he's toast

he's such a megalo that he probably think he's doing fine, and they won't tell him any different

on second thought, maybe he's got that psychotic confidence going for him...who knows?

what I DO know is that you'll see whoring the likes of which you'll probably NEVER see again

they'll make that of last weekend seem positively critical in comparison

[bigwillq]

18. Ida, please stay positive

Kerry is going to do fabulous tonight and Shrub is going to fall on his face once again.


Please continue to have faith in Mr. Kerry, our next president.

He has yet to let us down so far and he won't let that happen tonight, I'm sure of it.

[cheezus]

19. disagree. Kerry just has to be Kerry. Bush needs a large victory

the pressure in this debate is on BUSH, and he needs to do better than Kerry did in 1 & 2 combined.

that's a tall order.

[high density]

20. Just don't watch MSNBC (or anything for that matter) after the debate

They're so out of touch and busy trying to make this look like a close race that they're exposing themselves as total fools in the process.

[Bandit]

21. Kerry will rise to the challenge, don't fret.

Kerry is not even in the same league as Bush*. He is so much the superior that Bush* is scared more than you think you are. Kerry knows what he is about and our country needs a man like that. Keep your chin up and enjoy the show tonight.

[4_Legs_Good]

23. I was nervous almost to tears for #1 and #2, but I'm confident today...

I think Kerry proved to me that he knows that he's doing. Yes, you're right that the bar is too low for George Jr., but even a "technical tie" which I HONESTLY (and I'm a complete pessimist) believe is the worst that can happen tonight, won't fool most people. I think most people left thinking Kerry won Debate #2, no matter what the spin was. Hardcore Bushies, of course, will argue.

Anyway, buck up! I'll be praying too, for me, you, Kerry, and most of all, the future of the nation and the world.

david

[CityHall]

24. You can always trush Bush

to be an idiot. He hasn't magically transformed in the last five days. He'll be at times cocky, at times slow, whiny, and defensive. He'll stumble over his words. He'll lie in obvious ways. He'll misinterpret Kerry's words. He'll dodge questions and get upset that he was ever asked such things.

If he was a better candidate, he wouldn't have polarized the country so much. If he was a reasonable person, we wouldn't feel the way we do about him.