NR editor: "Don’t Shoot the Messenger. . .’cause this assessment’s grim."

[Barad Simith]

http://www.nationalreview.com/nordlinger/nordlinger200410010114.asp

Jay Nordlinger, National Review Managing Editor
October 01, 2004, 1:14 a.m.
"Don’t Shoot the Messenger . . . ’cause this assessment’s grim."

***

I thought Kerry did very, very well; and I thought Bush did poorly — much worse than he is capable of doing. Listen: If I were just a normal guy — not Joe Political Junkie — I would vote for Kerry. On the basis of that debate, I would. If I were just a normal, fairly conservative, war-supporting guy: I would vote for Kerry. On the basis of that debate.

***

Bush "won the stride." By that I mean that he crossed the center of the stage first, to shake his opponent's hand. In 1980, Reagan strode over to shake Carter's hand — and utterly surprised him. Carter was sunk almost from that moment.

Kerry must be darned tall — he made Bush look pretty short. Same as the Bush 41-Dukakis gap? Not sure.

***

Bush, throughout the evening, as Kerry spoke, had that pursed and annoyed look. I think it must have driven many people crazy...

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. Hey Nordlinger, cry me a river asshole!

What he is saying is that if weren't a crazy nut he would vote Kerry!

[moondust]

2. "that pursed and annoyed look"

is the look of a dictator who realizes he is not in control.

[Barad Simith]

9. he looked like a former dictator on trial (nt)

[Mountainman]

14. Bush usually has a hand picked audience, last night he had to face

the reality of things. He's not use to having his words contradicted.

[oasis]

3. Tellin' it like it is. "National Review" hooooo buddy.

[Craig Roberts]

4. Oh my God that was beautiful

When the National Review says Bush was slapped silly in the debate, I think it is safe to say Kerry won.

Kerry came through for us. I love the guy. I spent the last two hours hitting all those sites listed on the homepage for online polls. Kerry was ahead in most by at least 2 to 1.

I'm going to sleep well tonight.

[Barad Simith]

7. I loved that article -- it's like having Limbaugh or Coulter admit it

I spent at leasts 2 hours DUing those polls, too.

Did you notice that some of them were 80-90% Kerry?

[Canuckistanian]

13. Forget it - Limbaugh et al won't give in

Get ready for the "librul media" hate-fest today.

[Frances]

5. I think it's significant that this male

NR editor as well as Scarborough are both saying Bush lost.

I believe that both of these men have perceived Bush as an alpha macho male.

If nothing else, this debate showed that Kerry is a real alpha male while Bush is not.

I'll be curious as to what kind of reaction I get from older white males the next time I am registering voters at the Dem table. I got a couple of sneering comments from of them today. I even told one man that I was voting for the brave soldier. I told the guys who registered Dem that all the good-looking men were Dems. And that was true today!

[Barad Simith]

8. Thanks for that -- it's a perspective I hadn't thought of

I don't think in terms of alpha or beta males (which makes sense, since it's a freeper-type paradigm), but you're right. Those who do care about such images are bound to be impressed with Kerry's performance tonight.

[despairing optimist]

6. Aw, do DU and the country a favor and shoot this messenger

It'll probably be 30 years before another message like this one escapes from the NR edit bin.

So much baloney has appeared in that forum, I for one wouldn't shed too many tears if one of their own went down. It means one less spinner to bite us when we're not looking.

[July]

10. Wow, Bush won the stride? That does it, I'm changing my vote!

They are pathetic.

[Supersedeas]

15. Yep...on the positive side, * ran across the stage to greet Senator Kerry

[mrgorth]

11. e-mailing the author

Mr. Nordlinger,

As a populist, Dean supporting, The Nation reading, Irish-Catholic (and Bavarian) democrat I want to thank you for your honest review of the first debate between John Kerry and George Bush. Ironically, our views of Kerry and Bush could not be further apart, yet, I shared your opinions of the contest exactly...except that I was glad that Bush didn't do what you think he should've. More, even if he said the things you recommend, but said them in the halting, unsure way that he said most things in this debate, the difference would've been negligable. The 2 things confusing me are 1) why Rove didn't have him better prepared and 2) why you conservatives didn't see this coming after various embarrasing press conferences. I'm also unsure as to why this doesn't bother you. OK, that's three things.

As you might imagine, I rarely read articles from your periodical. In fact I was directed here from democraticunderground.com. That said, I appreciate honesty and frankness. As a result of this I may check back to see more of your stuff.

Regards,

Mark

[Barad Simith]

17. good email! (nt)

[MoonRiver]

12. He, he, the 'bitch slapped * look'

New meme?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

16. This man (Nordlinger) is insane:

"I have called George W. Bush a Rushmore-level president. I believe history will bear that out" :crazy:

[wicket]

18. I hate the National Review!

So I love seeing them eat crow :D