The Debate

Well, if I'm generous, then Bush stuck to his talking points. As a former debater, however, I am tempted to say that Bush missed many, many, many chances to really make key points against Kerry. It seemed as if Bush didn't want to go for the jugular. I don't know why.

Kerry is clearly a superior debater, though he too didn't score any knock-out punches. He at least spoke more freely, used anecdotes and facts more readily. Bush didn't nail Kerry on any of the things that I was waiting for. A brief summary might include asking Kerry what he would do regarding Iran and the PDRK. If Iraq is the wrong war, if it's not the war against al-Qaeda, if nuclear proliferation is a problem, if all of the world's intelligence services thought that Saddam's Iraq was nuclear capable, then what is the difference with a nuclear Iran or PDRK? Neither of them are al-Qaeda, nor are they likely to accept some sort of diplomatic solution. Just what would Kerry do? If this war is not right, then how would he handle a conflict in Iran or PDRK? Why Bush left that choice morsel on the table strikes this ex-debater as a mystery. Others might criticize Bush or Kerry for other issues, but I found this one more important.

There is much more to say about the debate, but I want to think about it and blog more in the morning. Send some feedback. I'm not certain that Kerry won more than a few swing votes in this, but I don't know if Bush can win those votes back. He simply didn't deliver as well as Kerry.