# Bush-Kerry Debate: Part Deux **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 9, 2004, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302 "2004-10-09T00:42:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/541 "2004-10-09T02:37:37Z")
The NPR analyst is saying Bush looked comfortable compared to the last debate, and did much better. I listened on the radio, and I think he came across poorly. Kerry only slightly better. What did it LOOK like? ---
**Author:** ![Marathon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@Marathon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marathon)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/542 "2004-10-09T02:38:10Z")
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Tom Collins, who made this debate all the more volatile and exciting for me. _passes out_ ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/543 "2004-10-09T02:38:15Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > :dubious: > > I’ll just bypass the “rational” remark and stick to the issue at hand. There are a fair amount of undecided voters who want to hear specifics from Kerry, not just “I have a plan.” And as has already been pointed out, they each only had 2 minutes for direct answer. Kerry has, however, referenced his website, which has the details, numerous times. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/544 "2004-10-09T02:38:20Z")
I give it to Kerry by a comforatble margin but Fox is already trying to spin it for Bush. ---
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/545 "2004-10-09T02:38:30Z")
Well you board of Bush bashing whore mongers – Bush just kicked Kerry’s ass. Spin away! ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/546 "2004-10-09T02:38:52Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > **Bricker** right–_Dred Scott v Sandford_ hinged on the property rights of slaveholders being infringed without due process. Google Substantive Due Process for more info. I agree that this was the central thrust of the decision, but **Guin** wasn’t entirely wrong when she she said that the decision also discussed that lack of constitutional protections for blacks. From the decision: “The question is simply this: Can a negro, whose ancestors were imported into this country, and sold as slaves, become a member of the political community formed and brought into existence by the Constitution of the United States, and as such become entitled to all the rights, and privileges, and immunities, guarantied by that instrument to the citizen? One of which rights is the privilege of suing in a court of the United States in the cases specified in the Constitution.” and “The question before us is, whether the class of persons described in the plea in abatement compose a portion of this people, and are constituent members of this sovereignty? We think they are not, and that they are not included, and were not intended to be included, under the word ‘citizens’ in the Constitution, and can therefore claim none of the rights and privileges which that instrument provides for and secures to citizens of the United States. On the contrary, they were at that time considered as a subordinate and inferior class of beings, who had been subjugated by the dominant race, and, whether emancipated or not, yet remained subject to their authority, and had no rights or privileges but such as those who held the power and the Government might choose to grant them.” ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/547 "2004-10-09T02:39:35Z")
I don’t think Bush looked good at all. He seemed very defensive, moderately testy. I think he was more comfortable than in the last one, but I thought Kerry seemed more poised, if a bit stiff. Just my opinion though. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/548 "2004-10-09T02:40:13Z")
> [@Tigers2B1](#): > > Well you board of Bush bashing whore mongers – Bush just kicked Kerry’s ass. Spin away! No fair! You started the spinning without me! I thought Kerry more than held his own. At least he didn’t shout down Charlie Gibson and act like a frustrated 3-year-old. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/549 "2004-10-09T02:40:21Z")
Hey Missouri, how about buying some digital cameras? All I hear on C-Span2 is the constant clicking of the cheapy disposable cameras. ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/550 "2004-10-09T02:40:33Z")
Bush did a lot better tonight, in fact I thought he out-answered Kerry a couple of times. But Bush’s transformation from the last debate was spooky. Made this slick version seem phony. I still say they should’ve made 'em pee in a cup. I wanna know, was he pepped up on goofballs? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/551 "2004-10-09T02:40:42Z")
> [@Reeder](#): > > if he was president… > > saddam would still be in power… > > and the world would be a lot better off I caught that one too - I thought I was hearing things. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/552 "2004-10-09T02:41:56Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > And as has already been pointed out, they each only had 2 minutes for direct answer. Kerry has, however, referenced his website, which has the details, numerous times. But there are many more voters that have TVs instead of computers w/internet. Why not at least give an outline of his plan on TV, instead of repeating things from the last debate? ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/553 "2004-10-09T02:42:02Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > And as has already been pointed out, they each only had 2 minutes for direct answer. Kerry has, however, referenced his website, which has the details, numerous times. I know, but the problem is that we are not a country of researchers. Kerry would be better served to get a fair amount of specifics out in the open and not just rely on people to look for them. We’ve heared the speeches and know the broad outline by heart. It is time for Kerry to get into details and he has one more debate to do it. If he does I think he will win a lot of voters who are sitting on the fence. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/554 "2004-10-09T02:42:05Z")
> [@Tigers2B1](#): > > Well you board of Bush bashing whore mongers – Bush just kicked Kerry’s ass. Spin away! Thank Buddha-statue you showed up to show us the errors of our ways. For a second there, I thought I had an actual opinion. What was I thinking? Of course Bush is never wrong, always wins, and has a ten inch penis. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/555 "2004-10-09T02:42:28Z")
Kudos to ABC for their policy of not putting on the “spinmeisters” on the air. ---
**Author:** ![Julius\_Henry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Julius\_Henry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Julius_Henry)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/556 "2004-10-09T02:42:44Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > Hey Missouri, how about buying some digital cameras? All I hear on C-Span2 is the constant clicking of the cheapy disposable cameras. Our team is winning two games to none. How’s yours doing? What a comeback. Maybe I can run for president. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/557 "2004-10-09T02:42:55Z")
I think Kerry got the better of the debate. Am I biased? Yeah but I suspect a few people posting here may have a smidgen of bias too. Now that the debate is over, I’ll sit back and reflect on the socio-political-economic issues that were expressed … and go the The Naughty Medieval Lesbian Wench Dungeon of Punishment Chat Room !!! God Bless The Internet !!! ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/558 "2004-10-09T02:43:27Z")
I think John Kerry is going to make a good president. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/559 "2004-10-09T02:43:42Z")
> [@Mach Tuck](#): > > The NPR analyst is saying Bush looked comfortable compared to the last debate, and did much better. > > I listened on the radio, and I think he came across poorly. Kerry only slightly better. > > What did it LOOK like? Another radio listener, and I’d give it to Kerry, except Bush seemed to make a major comeback toward the end. There were a few real “Thank you, Jesus!” moments (from my solidly Democratic perspective) in the middle, when Bush seemed to be going into full-on rant mode, but in the end, it’ll be the last half-hour or so people remember, and he came across decently then. Kerry sounded OK, and he gets major props from me for acknowledging that atheism is a legitimate worldview, but there were definitely some extremely evasive answers in there. Of course, my TV-free self is in no position to judge what it looked like to the rest of the country… ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302/560 "2004-10-09T02:43:56Z")
Kerry was more poised but, in this format, Bush’s restlessness and passion worked for him. Heh, one guy on PBS just said Kerry had “Senatoritis” sometimes. I still call it a draw. of course, Bush had to just stay upright to do better than last time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-kerry-debate-part-deux/268302.md?page=29)