WSJ poll: Bush 32% Kerry 61% tie 7%

[question everything]

2312 votes so far

http://discussions.wsj.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=wsjvoices&nav=messages&msg=3298

and comments:

After watching the debates I must say that Senator Kerry seemed to be better prepared and more relaxed. He seems to have a better handle on the questions posed to him. What I admired about President Bush is his resolve and his unflinching commitment to steer the course. While Kerry delivery was better and more rehearsed, Bush seems to be talking from his emotions and gave a more heartfelt response. Once could tend to almost believe Kerry's dialog if the "accusations" of flip flopping politics were not always floating above his head. Bush stuck by his guns through it all and helped to cement his positions as one who does not bend and continues forward in the face of adversity.

To sum it all Kerry came across as a smooth politician and Bush came across as someone who is passionate and unrelenting on his plans for America's future.
Kareem J Glover
Cary, N.C


While Kerry came across better than I thought, i believed that he set himself for more problems down the road.

for instance, global warming and the kyoto treaty. This can be used to show his support for more outsourcing of jobs to China, India and other economies that are not bound by the provisions.

Bush remarks are more consistent and on target with his broader message. No really new news here.

however, Kerry has new positions that I did not know he had, but they seem to run counter with his earlier positions or such. I guess when he is certain that something is wrong given the poll numbers, then it is ok to switch up sides again.

As RR once said--"there you go again"
scott jeffries


In my opinion, President Bush was diminished and demolished in the Florida debate. He stumbled through answers as nutritious as processed cheese. Truly, we saw that Bush speaks to the American people as if they were children and Kerry treats us as responsible adults.

Kate Soukonnikov
Newton, MA


"I know how the world works" caught my attention. Bush is highly opinionated and that was obvious in the debate. A dangerous situation for a command-in-chief. Emotions shouldn't overrun facts when important decisions need to be made. By that yardstick, Kerry definitely won this round.
J. Brown


John Kerry made it clear that the current Bush administration has made strategic decisions that clearly misled the American people and the world at large. Bush had problems with talking about policy and had to look at his teleprompter a number of times ... perhaps they had to spell some of the words pho-net-ically so he could pronounce it right. Oh and maybe... it was a mistake to attack Iraq when really it could have as easily have been Iran.. oh well its only one letter off.. people make mistakes i guess! Give me a break!
J. Pitt


Kerry won. No question. President Bush said Saddam Hussen when he probably meant to say Osama bin Laden. Rumsfeld did the same thing. Nothing but delusion and confusion from this administration.
Jackie Wollner


I thought Kerry started off a bit weak and stuff, and Bush seemed relaxed and thoughtful. But the longer the debate went on, the stronger Kerry got. He seemed deeper, and Bush seemed to have played what few cards he had. By the end Bush seemed worn out.

You never know how Bush's Marlboro Man themes will play, though. Apparently, judging from the early polls, they didn't play as well as Kerry's more thoughtful, nuanced positions.

Louis Gudema


The poster talks about the flip-flopping questions above Kerry's head. I feel he answered them in spades during the debate.

Bush's steadfastness has caused the situation in Iraq to worsen. It's interesting that the poster confuses Bush's ineptitude and fumbling as "a man who is passionate".

Also it's interesting that, because John Kerry was eloquent and had a firm handle on the issues, that he's a "smooth politician". I find the man to be resolute and clear on the issues at hand.

I found Bush to be a man whose policies have us drowning in Iraq with the surface nowhere in sight.

Tonight, Kerry was Presidential. Bush's shortcomings were on display for all of the world to see.
Paul Harvey


From the outset I believe Leher's questions placed the target on Bush's Presidency as opposed to future looking issues. Maybe that was just the flavor of my Kool-Aid, but this is an opinion poll.

From the perspective of a debate, Kerry did an admirable job managing to keep his points more firmly in focus that Bush and then keeping Bush on the Defensive. No doubt a skilled orator and revealed why he is a strong runner from behind.

Bush on the other hand, while starting strong seemed in the headlights while under attack. His several exasparated sighs will have to redeem Gore, though they didn't appear as contrived.

Subtley, Kerry came off polished and well versed. I also think he clarified a critical issue on his voting record of the $87 million.

What Bush may have managed to do was reveal his more personable character. Bush seems clearly a more "normal" American and that may resonate with the undecided.

Going forward, Kerry did offer different opinions from even as recent as the DNC. Replays of this as more position changing could strengthen the Bush debate case in the coming days once analyzed word for word.

Can't wait to see #2.
Jeff Sadler, Burlington, VT