Well, was anyone surprised? I doubt it. The debates were just about as expected. I think that that is a good thing. Americans have a clear picture of where these two men stand on the important issues of foreign policy. The differences are rather stark.
To me the key was that Bush wants America to continue to lead the world. Kerry wants “global tests”, “key allies”(read France and Germany), and summits everywhere but North Korea where thinks, inexplicably, that we should go it alone. Bush puts great faith in the “transformative power of liberty” to change people’s lives. Kerry puts great faith in the power of the UN to change people’s lives. Bush wants America to lead a coalition of countries willing to bring liberty to the Middle East. Kerry wants to give-up and turn it all over to the UN. Who, by the way, won’t have anything to do with it.
On style, if you look at how it was said rather what was said, I suppose you have to go with Kerry. Although, to me he comes off as an arrogant, self-centered, aloof, elitist, snob – but I’m predisposed to that opinion. Bush seemed to me to have been told to “play nice”, passing up many opportunities to hammer Kerry. But the debate is over and Kerry will change his position on things before Wednesday next week. Fact checkers will be hard at work and note half a dozen Kerry fact errors before the Sunday news shows. Bush will have an ad up by Friday afternoon hammering Kerry’s “global test” position. I can hear the ominous voice now over eerie “woman walking alone on a dark street in a horror movie” music, “Terrorists are killing Americans. But John Kerry thinks America must meet ‘global tests’ before defending ourselves. George Bush thinks that’s a load of crap.” - or something.
The media spinsters will be out in force towing Kerry’s line talking about Kerry winning on points. I disagree, but hey, that may be true. What’s going to happen over the next few days though, irrespective of who you might think won on points, is that Bush has Kerry’s UN, “key allies”, “global tests” comments with which to hammer Kerry. I didn’t see any similar lightening rods for Kerry to use against Bush. So, Kerry might win on points but will be seen as the looser after the post-debate ad war.
UPDATE: Heee's backtraking and not's even Wednesday
UPDATE: The global test ad
UPDATE: Fact checkers are busy already. Kerry is more susceptible to errors in facts because he’s always trying to show that he’s the smartest guy in the room. Bush argues more on principle alone.
Outsourcing Troa Bora
Stopping NYC subways
Never said Bush lied
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