Blog of Mass Distraction

Saturday, October 09, 2004

Don't be hatin'

I watched the second debate last night. It was a town hall type setup, citizens from St.Louis, who are supposedly undecided voters, asked questions for President Bush and Senator Kerry. The process was moderated by Charles Gibson. Gibson, at the beginning, made it clear that he had preapproved all the questions, and they were to cut off anyone that asked something else; thus eliminating all possibility of discussing taboo subject matter.
I didn't bother watching the commentary and spin afterwards, so I'm not sure what other opinions of the debate were but, for what it's worth, I think it was a little more even handed than the last debate. I think Bush's genial style helped him out here, but Kerry has still made a better showing overall in the first two debates; and likely will do so in the third. One funny thing that Kerry mentioned when asked about raising taxes he said he'd raise taxes for only those Americans earning more than $200,000 a year. So, he said, of all the people in attendance at the debate only three would be affected: himself, President Bush, and the moderator Charles Gibson.
While Kerry has shown himself to be the consummate debator, it may not help him actually win the election. Bush has had a lock on a good number of the college votes and he has strong ties with governors of California and Florida. This would help if he wanted to use dirty tricks and vote rigging but, judging from the 2000 elections, he's obviously not above such tactics.
The great threat to our country is that these haters end up with weapons of mass destruction.
- George W. Bush, 2nd Presidential debate 10/08/2004

1 Comments:

  • I'd have to agree with your assessment on this one. With respect to the performance of each candidate, this debate was much more balanced and the position of each candidate was defended and presented clearly regardless of the inherent argument that lied beneath their respective stances.

    Bush appeared to improve tremendously in this debate versus the last one. Which would beget the question whether he practiced more this time round with his lackeys or if he is just a so called “slow starter”.

    In either case the performance of both candidates seem to be sup-par in my mind. Both candidates come from a privileged and superfluous background, both candidates had access to a grand education and now both have tremendous work experience. Yet they both speak at a lower grade school level, Bush is a self-proclaimed underachiever and Kerry is merely a satisficer. It amazes me to think that in a country of nearly 300 million people, that these are the best candidates that are produced. I am further amazed when Fox News is able to spin these deficiencies into virtues. For instance, Fox News tried to convey the argument that if George Bush speaks at a 6th grade level then he is merely more representative of the people of his country and consequently more relatable to them.

    Now I don’t know about you, but when I was in grade school we were taught that in order to elect someone to a position of authority we should select the most qualified, intelligent and capable person to do said job. When did we forget this most basic lesson?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:17 PM  

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