Well, somebody hasta start this thread..

I had my reservations about Kerry as a campaigner, but last night he was 10X the debater that Gore or Dukakis ever was. Kerry came across as prepared, with a grasp of the issues, & spoke with conviction. Bush, on the other hand, often had that deer-caught-in-the-headlights look, especially when he had to rebut to Kerry. To use an old '60's TV sitcom analogy, this debate looked like Pvt. Hummel vs. Gomer Pyle. And to think that this was the only 1 of the 3 scheduled debates where both the format and the subject matter was supposed to favor the President. (Debate #2 will be a "town-hall" format, debate #3 will be on domestic issues.) I gotta believe Kerry swung quite a few undecideds his way. A couple more performances like this from Bush & he can star in his own combination made-for-TV movie & reality show: Gomer Pyle Cleans Out His Locker.

Kerry was so presidential. When Shrub wasn't Bambi-in-headlights, he had that little smirk, or was looking away in disgust; all that made him look weak and on the defensive. (Not to mention when he tried to speak.) I was afraid we were wanting so much for Kerry to do well that we just thought he did, but the polls seem to indicate that most people thought the same.

But, Joe, I have to speak on behalf of Gomer Pyle. He was a bumpkin, but a kind-hearted, gentle one. George can only play that part as long as he keeps his mouth shut.

I thought the best part of the whole night was when Lehrer asked Kerry for the ONE thing he's concerned about and Kerry's 2 word answer was "nuclear proliferation." I knew Bush was gonna have a time with that one.

And when Bush's time came, we could see his mouth twitching in anticipation of having to actually say the words... and he finally did, after gasping, hemming and hawing... he even stopped to take a drink... then never said the "n" word again... and had to slow down just to say "proliferation."

Yep.... what you all said...

Kerry was so together... he didn't ramble on and on, getting straight to the point of what he was saying. He looked comfortable at the podium, and he sincerely paid attention to what Bush was saying, taking copious notes.

Bush, on the other hand, was very carefully scripted... repeating the same old sound bites constantly. How many times DID he say "It's hard work"... this from a guy who basically couldn't hold a job without daddy's help. I have the impression that daddy isn't helping him on this one... and then Kerry mentioned Bush Senior's reasons for NOT going into Baghdad in the first Gulf War!

One silly thing that I noticed... don't know whether there is anything behind it... but did anyone else notice the water glasses they were using? Bush had a tumbler-type glass... flat bottom, straight sided... and Kerry had a footed goblet... Kinda a "whiskey vs wine" difference.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wyldflower:

One silly thing that I noticed... don't know whether there is anything behind it... but did anyone else notice the water glasses they were using?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Along that very line...did anyone else notice that twice Bush "drank" out of an empty glass?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Terrie:

I thought the best part of the whole night was when Lehrer asked Kerry for the ONE thing he's concerned about and Kerry's 2 word answer was "nuclear proliferation." I knew Bush was gonna have a time with that one.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You KNOW the shrub was hoping to be able to get through the debate without having to say "that word"...

But truthfully, I'm glad Kerry brought that up... and stated clearly that development of these "bunker busters" is, in fact, PROLIFERATION on the part of the U.S., while we're saying that other countries should not develop such weapons. Kerry does not believe in a double standard, when it comes to nuclear proliferation!

<FONT size="1">Damn, one of these days I'll remember to check my spelling before I post!</FONT s>

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 2 times, lastly by Wyldflower on Oct 01, 2004 ---</FONT></center>

Another funny spot (Lance reminded me) was when Bush was talking about the horrors of war and said he knows all too well because he sees it on the TV screen.

Kerry 1 - Bush 0. Clearly.

Thinking about the debate from a world perspective, I can really understand how that Dixie Chick gal made the comment she did about being ashamed of Bush as our leader.

Did anyone but me catch the remark Bush made about bringing world leaders together, something to the effect that he knows "these people." How rude and condescending can you get?

Hey ya'll! WOW What a night!
But c'mon, dont be too hard on shrub!
In the words of Ann herself "Poor George (senior) He cant help it, he was born with a silver foot in his mouth"! I do believe this applies to his jerk son as well!
Kerry was so very clear, consice, to the point, PRESIDENTIAL! He has my vote!
I do believe it's time to do some gardening
Thanks to Joe, I kinda figured it might be you to start this thread!

My kid and his frat buddies gave up a night of Homecoming preparations with 2 sororities to sit in front of a TV and watch the debate. I was so proud of him when he told me.

Then he went on to say that they had to make a game out of it: any time Bush said anything stupid, they had to drink.

Oh well, my moment of pride...

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Terrie:

any time Bush said anything stupid, they had to drink.

...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Of course there was a time that when bush said anything stupid, HE had to drink......which is also of course one reason he had to stop drinking. I mean there ain't that much beer in all of Texas!

I knew Kerry wasn't a Dukakis or a Gore. Those are both good men, but they don't make a presidential impression. Kerry can do that. He does use too many words sometimes..the downside of having brains, I guess, but he was concise last night. Of course, Gore looks a lot more like a president than Bush to me. But Kerry hit it out of the park. Of course, it's just one inning, but it was our inning. I also had to get other people to confirm that Kerry was doing as well as I thought he was. Turned out, he was. <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pat:

I knew Kerry wasn't a Dukakis or a Gore. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Pat, you were right about that from the start, & I was incorrect. Too many frustrating Democratic campaigns over the years, I guess. I now see Kerry differently. Just remember, I'm not flip-flopping---I'm changing my mind coz I have new evidence. That's a virtue, right? Or maybe that depends on one's party affiliation.

At times in the last 18 months I've been kinda ashamed to be an AmerAussie but my spirits are starting to soar after listening to you guys cos you are so informed and don't believe all the pap we are fed and some people believe. You guys look for the truth and arn;t afraid to speak. I get in trouble a lot at work and stuff. People thought I was a bit STRANGE and stuff when I talked (Back in Feb '03,and since, when I was goin' in the marches and stuff) about all the stuff thats coming to light now!! They didn't believe me then but thank goodness people are starting to wake up!!! thanks to people like you guys and Mike Moore !!! Thanks!!