# Obligatory debate thread
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obligatory-debate-thread/266975
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [October 1, 2004, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obligatory-debate-thread/266975 "2004-10-01T02:34:01Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 5
### Author:  [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2004, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obligatory-debate-thread/266975/81 "2004-10-02T17:02:46Z")
Yeah, I never heard or read anything to indicate he was good at debates. I seem to remember that Gore was considered to have won their debates.
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### Author:  [@Mr.Svinlesha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Svinlesha)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2004, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obligatory-debate-thread/266975/82 "2004-10-02T17:19:19Z")
**Equipose** :
> [@](#):
>
> \*Sigh, I can’t. As far as I can see, Republicans have either been scornful, dismissive, or oblivious to any voting problem concerns, or they know what’s going on, but have kept silent either out of gleeful admiration or embarrassed shame. I said “few Republicans” because it would be folly to say “no Republicans.” I’m sure there have been some Republicans who are interested in a totally fair election, but I just don’t know who they are.
>
> If you come across any, please let me know.\*
**Simon X.**
**Airman Doors.**
**Scylla.** (I hope, anyway.)
**ExTank.**
**Bricker.**
**DCU.**
**Starving Artist.**
’Nuff said.
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### Author:  [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2004, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obligatory-debate-thread/266975/83 "2004-10-02T17:21:30Z")
Holy crap! I apparently was duped by my own party!
[cite](http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/09/27/debates.preview/)
> [@](#):
>
> In fact, the spin began weeks ago, with Kerry staffers insisting Bush has never lost a debate and top GOP strategist Matthew Dowd favorably comparing the senator to the Roman orator and statesman Cicero.
Those damn, dirty liberals! :smack:
I concede my statement regarding Bush being a good debater.
(OTOH-- I have to say, the GOP strategist made a pretty good comparison, between Kerry and Cicero.)
LilShieste
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### Author:  [@Mr.Svinlesha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Svinlesha)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2004, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obligatory-debate-thread/266975/84 "2004-10-02T17:24:23Z")
Oops.
Wrong thread.
Please disregard my previous post.
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### Author:  [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2004, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obligatory-debate-thread/266975/85 "2004-10-02T23:49:43Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#):
>
> I refuse to believe that the Bush team would let him walk into this so grossly unprepared.
I think they’re counting on the spin. All they need are three or four six-second clips on either side that they can sledgehammer into the collective consciousness as being representative of the debate. They’re fully aware that the overwhelming majority of the country won’t have watched the actual event, in whole or in part, and will draw their conclusions based on the professional chinwagging of the following days. From that perspective, it doesn’t make any difference whether Bush got pounded like Hallie Eisenberg standing up to Mike Tyson as long as they have a few bits-n-pieces they can weave into gold. Seems to me we won’t have an “official” result until the narrative has been hammered into place on the Sunday chat shows and rolled out into the journalistic showroom on Monday morning.
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### Author:  [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obligatory-debate-thread/266975/86 "2004-10-03T21:20:43Z")
I get email from the Bush campaign (and I have no memory of why) and today’s post debate email is absolutely jaw-dropping:
"John Kerry failed the one test he had to pass last night: he failed to close the credibility gap he has with the American people as his record of troubling contradiction and vacillation spiraled down to incoherence.
People have a clear choice between President Bush’s clarity and strength to fight and win the War on Terror and John Kerry’s attacks and reversals - born out of political calculation, not a vision for winning the War on Terror. People saw for themselves last night where John Kerry would lead our military, our allies and the world in the War on Terror - down a bumpy road paved with indecision, vacillation and cynicism. John Kerry has a record of wavering in the face of real challenges."
:eek:
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### Author:  [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)
#### Post date: [October 4, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obligatory-debate-thread/266975/87 "2004-10-04T14:05:26Z")
> [@cuauhtemoc](#):
>
> To those who didn’t think Kerry was “ruthless” enough: Folks, he doesn’t have to convince you and me, and he knows it. He has to appeal to people who like the President well enough, but question the decisions he’s made. These people are not looking to see George W. Bush pilloried and rotten apples thrown at him. They want to see Kerry make his own case.
Agreed.
And don’t forget, Gore lost points because he was _mean_. Can’t have that. That’s what 527s are for.
-Joe, so mean he’s a 528
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### Author:  [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)
#### Post date: [October 4, 2004, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obligatory-debate-thread/266975/88 "2004-10-04T17:13:55Z")
> [@neuroman](#):
>
> Nitpick: did Ron Reagan actually say he was voting for Kerry? I thought he spoke at the DNC about stem cell research - does that constitute “jumping ship?”
No but I would think the following quote would constitute “jumping ship”.
> [@Ron Reagan](#):
>
> Sure, he wasn’t a technocrat like Clinton. But my father was a man – that’s the difference between him and Bush. To paraphrase Jack Palance, my father crapped bigger ones than George Bush.
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