Look at my Post: I thought Kerry did badly but apparently I am Wrong

[underpants]

I was expecting a front run, a tactical race either from the front or behind, and of course a big close.

I didn't see it.

I didn't see what I had expected or that was obvious, but then I am not running for office.

Apparently all the talkings heads, yes Paul Krugman this IS a Santa Claus, think otherwise. Gergen was on Larry King saying that Kerry was of more substance...........etc. Gergen is right down the middle. George P. Bush looked nervous as hell. I didn't see anyone (flipping around) who thought Kerry didn't win and the race is at least closer.

I haven't talked to the boys yet-they are a focus group that could predict anything.

Okay so maybe I was wrong-maybe I expected more of Kerry and heard the message to the base that W was delivering........maybe the media wants to keep everyone watching.

[sonicx]

1. i thought kerry was great and the media

knows it. they'll give it to kerry for a second, but watch the mad spinning for the rest of tonite and tommorrow.

[xray s]

2. Kerry's message was softer than I would have liked.

But he already has my vote. I think his play on things worked well for those middle of the road undecided types.

They like more substance and less of Bush's bloody liver splattered across the carpet for all of us hard core types to chew on :)

[Tsiyu]

3. Like I said last night.....( am i an ass or what)

Kerry didn't need to drop any bombshells. All he had to do was appear to be the better leader. Undecideds are the prize here, not the committed bushites who would support him if he pissed on his podium in front of the assembled.

Undecideds, and people who watch debates particularly, want concise, informative answers. They want to hear articulate arguments. They want to see composure under fire and they want to be given intelligent reasons to support one candidate over the others.

I've been through a few elections, folks. Debates are EXTREMELY important in the process, and here I LOVE to say "I told you so" but Kerry is in his element.

His strengths tonight - of calm, thoughtful resolve - totally reveal *'s weaknesses of inner rage, arrogance and ignorance.

[underpants]

4. Good point buddy

I have always said that W had 47% that was all he had in the summer of 2000 and that is all he has now-he has to keep that base or he has no chance. He has no chance, the Dem voter registration effort has been very impressive.

It still wasn't what I expected but then maybe I too have been dumbed down by soundbites. Gee..........ya think?


I don't know that I have seen any of your posts on DU ( different timing of posts) but that was very good.


:hi: <----------LOOK one uh them things

[Hamlette]

14. did you watch split screen?

if you did, Bush looked like a pissed off 3 year old having a temper tantrum when Kerry was speaking. It killed him.

[underpants]

16. The funny about the split screen was the close up/higher level for W

and the dark/back of the room/ equal the heigth against Kerry.

Fox News was in charge of the cameras.

[Hamlette]

19. that was hysterical!

to get the two even, they had to "lift" the Bush side of the screen half a dozen inches. But when Bush started slouching during the last half, and leaning on the podium, Kerry had the height advantage again.

Can you imagine how the slouch would have looked if the screen were "even".

[opihimoimoi]

5. Right on BuddyHolly right on

[Tsiyu]

10. Thanks guys

I've been telling all you'uns to "wait til the debates." Kerry is a REAL man. * is a cardboard cowboy.

CELEBRATE OUR VICTORY, MY FINE DU FRIENDS!
:toast: :toast: :beer: :beer: :party: :toast: :beer: :headbang:

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[Princess Turandot]

21. Plus, for a lot of people, this was probably their first chance to see..

John Kerry speak at length, not just hear soundbytes intended to make him look silly or irrelevent. I thought he came across as dignified, intelligent and self-controlled, just what he needed to do. I noticed that when he took notes from time to time he gave a little smile, kind of reinforcing that * just said something idiotic, but was not obnoxious about it. He also was always careful to be 'respectful' to Bush, whose 'my opponent' crap is starting to really be irritating, as if he could reduce JK's impact by not referring to him as a Senator.

[Beetwasher]

6. "My Opponent Gives Mexed up err umm Mixed Up Messages..."

Dude, that and the dear in the headlights look while he waited for his earpiece advice totally doomed him..It was just way too obvious...

[cheshire]

7. Underpants you need to stop watching WWF, this is a gentlemen's game.

[TheDonkey]

8. Comparing this debate to the primaries. It was by far Kerry's best

I was so so proud of him. It was so excellent.
Couldn't be happier. I couldn't have done better, and I can't imagine a better president.

[redstateblues]

9. WTF-Parallel Universe You're living In-Bizzarro World

Kerry smoked the Chimp. A tactical race? from the front or behind? What the fuck are you talking about?

[underpants]

11. Sorry but I didn't like the scribbling-not looking at the camera..

and W's higher podium (on TV) didn't help.

Okay so I am superficial, lots of people are.

I thought Big John delivered a pointed and informed position but I don't know if that resonated.

We will see. Expect the mass media to circle the wagons.

[redstateblues]

15. He was scribbling when bush talked- petty criticism

[Comadreja]

18. I think that showed

That he wasn't getting cued from a teleprompter, but was maeshalling his own thoughts.

[Andromeda]

12. Kerry won the debate tonight...

but he didn't deliver any knockout punches. If you were expecting that then that's why you're disappointed.

Kerry did just what he should have done. He looked presidential, calm, articulate and knowledgable on the issues. He didn't cut Bush down and I'm glad he didn't. He would have been accused of being "mean" and "rude."

Overall, Kerry did a good job. There are two debates to go so I think Kerry will have a chance to hit that home run.

[underpants]

13. Okay that is what I shold have posted

very accurate. I had just set the bar lower....I am glad Big John took it higher.

[TexasSissy]

17. This is exactly my take, too. He did what he had to do. He came thru.

But there wasn't a big knockout. No looking Bush in the face and callng him what we all know he is. That wouldn't work. Kerry could've come off a bit stronger, and maybe not quite as nice, and been a tad better.

But in the end, he did what he had to do. He won. Which is grrrreat! It's hard to argue with success.

But we'll start hearing more criticisms in the days to come. This is just the afterglow.

[John_H]

20. LOL!

[5thGenDemocrat]

22. Plus, this should have been Dopey's strongest night

Foreign policy, fighting off the terrarists, smokin' 'em out, bringin' 'em to justice, blah blah blah.
The next debate's on domestic policy. Then and there, Kerry will slap Commander Cokespoon's head to a point and then flick the point off. Bet on it.
John
Starting with a "C" grade for both, Kerry gets a "B" or "B-plus" (no knockout punch but none was needed tonight), while Chimpy gets a "D" for not drooling or picking his nose on camera. Kerry won and won easily.