I’ll take that. Bush’s thoughts are just barely staying ahead of his mouth, he can stop on a moments notice…
He seems pretty frazzled at the moment - talking about how he works hard to protect America
100,000 trained? By whom? Sadr?
But up until tonight, the catch phrase was always “pre-september eleventh mindset”. That’s what I’m so used to hearing, so hearing him alter the date pricked up my ears.
Bush stutters and has to search for the word too often.
Kerry looks like a smug ass.
Good Lord, Bush sounds awful. Hesitating, stammering, tap dancing, repeating himself. He reminds me of a high school kid trying to bluff his way through an oral presentation that he didn’t prepare for.
We shall see. From the perspective of this Bush supporter, I think Kerry is coming across as modestly better, but Bush may have had a moment or two that will look better in the snippets to be played later.
And, of course, it’s early.
In other news, who let Jim Lehrer and John Kerry choose the same necktie? That should have been in the rules.
Hope is on the way! :drink:
Bush isn’t able to think on his feet; all he can do is to cling to his carefully coacjed talking points.
Why is Lehrer letting Bush decide when to extend?
“Vietnam.” Drink!
Kerry was in Vietnam? First I’ve heard.
(Paraphrasing) Kerry: “Why don’t we just change the rules of the debate?”
Anyone get what he said word for word?
Bzzzt! John, you WILL be asking some poor slob to be the last guy to die for a mistake. You just called the war a mistake about a gazillion times.
Trying not to Bush-bash, but he is taking fewer notes, that’s true.
“I made a mistake in how I talk about the war. The president made a mistake in invading Iraq. Which is worse?”
Good line, JFK.
I want to see them fight 
how many times is Bush gonna’ thump the podium? <thump>
Kerry talks with his hands more than Bush Sr…
they both suck, i’m voting for Kodos…
So far I don’t see Bush losing. Of course, half of what he’s saying is ridiculous and utterly at odds with the facts, but he’s doing what he has to do to appeal to his votin base; sounding folksy and tough. That’s all he needs to do.
Remember that Bush supporters are vastly more likely than Kerry supporters to believe things like “Iraq had a stockpile of WMDs” or “Iraq planned the 9/11 attacks.” Bush doesn’t have to defend or explain those things; he just needs to look determined and tough. If he can do that, he wins. Doesn’t matter what Kerry says.
Halliburton. :drink:
I guess you make it up as go.
Tony Blair hates you, Shrub.
I think it’s like timeouts in football; you get to use them when you think they’re most useful.
I wonder if the right side of Bush’s mouth is going to connect to his hairline by the end of the evening.