Slate's Saletan: "Kerry spoke like a man closing a deal."

[flpoljunkie]

Worth reading in its entirety.

http://www.slate.com/id/2108121/

A week ago, I compared the debates to the final inning of a postseason baseball game. The Democrats trailed entering the ninth. John Kerry led off with a single. John Edwards singled him to third. I'll need a couple of pinch runners to keep the metaphor going, since Kerry came to the plate again Friday and struck out, leaving runners at the corners. The Bush campaign liked my headline so much—"Strikeout"—that they sent it around to the rest of the press corps.

They won't be sending this one around. Because tonight President Bush walked the bases full, and Kerry hit a grand slam.

<>The closing statements confirmed the tide of the race. Kerry spoke like a man closing a deal. He recalled his service to his country, promised "tested, strong leadership that can calm the waters of the troubled world," and vowed to protect the nation in the tradition of FDR, JFK, and Reagan. Bush spoke like a man pleading for a second chance. He fumbled his opening sentence. He talked about the hard times we'd been through and the good things he'd do in a second term that he hadn't done in his first. He called for faith and optimism. Kerry ended with the words of a president: "Thank you, goodnight, and God bless the United States of America." Bush ended with a plea: "I'm asking for your vote. God bless you."

I wasn't surprised when the instant polls showed Kerry winning the debate handily. I bet Bush wasn't, either. All night long he looked like a pitcher who knew his stuff wasn't working and was stuck out there, alone on the mound in front of millions of people, with no idea what to do next. Now he's given up four runs and the lead. But he's still got the home field. And he's got half an inning—the bottom of the ninth—to turn things around.

[joeybee12]

1. Did you read last week's? He really slammed Kerry, so this is quite

a turnaround.

BTW, he's a registered Repuke.

[DrFunkenstein]

2. Saletan Is So On the Money Today

Kerry held himself like a President. He spoke like a President. He even smelled like a President.

The polls have shown over and over that Bush's support is soft, people are looking for a change, and just weren't sure if Kerry had the chops. It may take a few days, but the tide has turned. Last night, Kerry let everyone know who the next President would be.

[Onlooker]

3. Excellent article

A lot of good insights. I hope the rest of America saw the debate in the same way.

[DinahMoeHum]

4. Tee hee! Three strikes and you're out, Chimpy!

A big "K" for Kerry!

:kick::kick::kick:

[Proud2BAmurkin]

5. That nails it

.

[CityHall]

6. Hmm. I just posted the opposite view before seeing this.

I didn't think Kerry had enough of a unifying theme that people will connect with after the memory of specific points fades. "Presidential" isn't really a theme in the sense I mean. I'm talking about "It's the economy, stupid."

My concern is that there is still too much time for B/C to distract people from what they saw on Wednesday, and to have their seconds make all the arguments Bush was unable to make for himself - just like they did after the last two debates.

[Lilli]

7. Great article

And wonderfully written.
Thanks much for the link. I wouldnt have seen this otherwise.