Post your debate "Letters to the Editor" here (after you send them)

[swag]

Here's mine (you can do better!):

"The contrasts were the most striking elements of the first Presidential debate.

The contrasts between competent and incomptetent, intelligent and
willfully ignorant, poised and petulant, were too much for even our
benighted punditocracy to ignore.

While Kerry looked presidential, George W. Bush just looked lost."

[Ramsey]

1. Mine sent to Philly papers

In the first presidential debate, I wanted to see if Senator Kerry would hold his own against Mr. Bush on the topic that is purported to be the president's strength: security. What I saw was a challenger who was vastly more confident, steadfast, articulate, convincing and resolute than the incumbent who has staked his presidency on his leadership in the war on terror.

Kerry soundly and coherently criticized the mistakes that Bush has made in taking the war on terror to Iraq, while clearly outlining his own vision for getting our country out of the mess that Bush has created. Bush stuck to his sound bites which often sounded out of context or irrelevant to the topic being discussed. Where Kerry was calm and assured, Bush was petulant, angry and even confused. In fact, his performance was at times embarrassing. An entire roomful of people burst into laughter when Bush pointed out that Kerry had neglected to mention Poland when making the point that Bush's coalition of the willing has few real participants. Bush appeared distinctly unpresidential when describing this coalition as a "group of folks", confusing Osama bin Laden with Saddam Hussein, or saying "it's hard work to try to love her as best as I can" when describing his encounter with a war widow. Bush was frankly incoherent and seemed ill-informed about the nuclear threat posed by North Korea.

Senator Kerry dominated the debate from start to finish. Bush looked uncomfortable, exhibiting a number of odd mannerisms from bobbing his head to chewing his lip to sighing with exasperation. He could barely contain his anger and arrogant disdain at being forced to defend his record. In stark contrast, Kerry was succinct and forceful, exuding confidence and appearing engaged and respectful. I fully expect the press to overlook Bush’s abysmal performance, to fail to nitpick his annoying gestures and to downplay Kerry’s obvious commanding presence. But if I were George Bush, I would be very worried today. He was just stripped of his one advantage.

[Wilber_Stool]

2. Here ya go.

I just finished watching the debate on C-SPAN. No, I no longer watch network news. I thought I would drop you a line just the same.
I just witnessed the most pathetic excuse for a President humiliate himself on world wide television. It will be interesting to see how you will spin this in an attempt to salvage the last bit of Presidential dignity. Good luck.

Sincerely

[stubertmcfly]

3. mine sent to colorado papers and usa today

During the course of the first Presidential debate I was hoping to hear answers to very serious questions regarding how each candidate plans to fix the current quagmire into which we have sunk in Iraq.

Senator Kerry did an admirable job laying out his plans for foreign policy and winning the war in Iraq and the larger war on terror.

President Bush, on the other hand, did not.

Being "resolute and consistent" in the face of failure is not a policy one should follow as Commander and Chief. This administration had no exit plan for Iraq when we entered and based on the information provided by Bush in the first debate, they still do not have a strategy for success in these wars.

Based on what was said, I have formulated an exit strategy for the American people. Elect John Kerry President. It is time for change.

[tomfodw]

4. Here's mine (to the Trenton Times)

I’m fascinated by the change in perceptions. Four years ago, it was enough for then Governor Bush to merely hold his own against Vice President Gore for it to be accounted, after the fact, as a Bush victory. Even though Gore was not the incumbent, he was the two-time sitting Vice President, so he was essentially treated as if he was the incumbent, and it was felt that all a challenger had to do against an incumbent was not lose. Now, with Bush having served almost all of his four-year term, it is again sufficient for him not to lose against Senator Kerry, rather than being expected and required to decisively defeat his challenger. When will people stop making excuses for Bush and judge him for what he is, a failed President who never was truly qualified for the position he holds and wants to be reelected to? If a draw was enough for Bush four years ago, why isn’t a victory enough for Kerry now?

[kerouac]

5. Here's mine.

The first presidential debate offered one of the most depressing displays of arrogance and ignorance by a sitting president that I have ever witnessed. It is embarrassing to see that President Bush could be so out of touch with the realities of world affairs and so unable to articulate US foreign policy, especially considering he is the person responsible for the direction and agenda of US foreign policy over the past 3-1/2 years. The president doesn't fully understand his own policies, and we cannot expect him to understand the complicated issues we will continue to face or to make the informed, effective decisions needed for a peaceful and prosperous future.

Equally disturbing is the president's constant ridicule of Senator Kerry's position of a more globalized foreign policy strategy. Not only will Kerry's strategy relieve the human and monetary cost of the war in Iraq and elsewhere, but it will make our efforts to curb global terrorism more effective. Additionally, a respectful and multilateral approach to foreign policy, as outlined by Kerry, will have a dramatic positive effect on the US economy. It's no coincidence that the US trade deficit is at dangerously high levels considering the neo-conservative foreign policy Bush has adopted, especially when coupled with an economic plan based on historically flawed "trickle-down" policies.

Senator Kerry's thoughtful and detailed foreign policy plans will make America safer, improve international trade, share the human and monetary costs of war, and restore the alliances strained by the reckless Bush agenda. Further, the resulting financial savings from a multilateral foreign policy paired with a repeal of ineffective tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans will help with domestic improvements in areas such as education, law enforcement, employment, healthcare, and energy independence.

The only real consistency of president Bush's leadership is that he consistently leads America in the wrong direction and makes the wrong decisions, internationally and domestically. His historical disregard of facts and obvious inability to understand the complexities of the issues our country faces are dangerous, intolerable, and require decisive denunciation by the American electorate in the upcoming election.

[Joy Anne]

6. my contribution

I sent this and variations to networks and news shows and will probably send it to a newspaper or two later.

President Bush said last night: "The enemy understands a free Iraq will be a major defeat in their ideology of hatred. That's why they're fighting so vociferously."
I and the dictionary understand "vociferous" as "clamorous, strident," not as "violent" or "relentless," which by the context is apparently what the president means.
Perhaps the dictionary and I, on the one hand, and the president on the other hand understand lots of words differently. For example, he keeps talking about how he's preserving our freedoms and giving freedoms to Iraqis, while he and Mr. Ashcroft are busily shredding our Bill of Rights (my definition of freedom), and he and Mr. Rumsfeld keep shutting down independent newspapers and shutting up foreign correspondents (my guess at how Iraqis define freedom).
Then there's the word "Christian." I figure as a Christian I'm a follower of Jesus, that guy who told us to turn the other cheek and forgive our debtors. I don't know what George W. Bush means by it.

[jeff_thompson]

7. Used a few DU Talking points--thanks!

I emailed this to Florida Today in Brevard County Florida immediately after the debate concluded:

America saw John Kerry as our next President tonight. Kerry showed strength, conviction and a steady command of the facts. Kerry left no doubt that he has what it takes to lead this nation forward. Kerry offered hope and specifics, while Bush stammered uncomfortably and stated “it’s hard work” no less than eleven times. If undecided voters can’t make up their mind after this debate, heaven help us all.


Joyce

[AgadorSparticus]

8. you should take your address off your post. just your name will suffice.

it could be troublesome with all the freepers trolling around here in their desperation.