While watching Kerry's debate performance on Thursday, I kept my enthusiasm in check, remembering that Bush was deemed to have lost the first 2000 debate until his spin machine took charge. On Friday, I watched cautiously the glowing reviews of Kerry, still not believing the official record would -- for a change -- reflect what I'd seen with my own eyes. Then yesterday's polls showing the Bush lead had been completely erased led me to think that maybe this once the truth might prevail.
But never count Rove out. Why should the election coverage turn to facts and policies at this late date, when it can still be about unmitigated crap like this? My first reaction is that the Bush campaign is just desperate to change the subject, but don't be surprised if our "liberal" media latch on to the non-story. This particular ruse doesn't concern me so much as what they're dreaming up for the next debate, now that it's dawned on them how badly overmatched their boy is.
Posted by Vernam at October 3, 2004 05:38 PMOf course! That's the first thing I think of when I hear "global test."
Posted by: TOF at October 5, 2004 01:27 PM>"not ceding"
Kerry reserves the right to kick terrorist ass -- "hunt them down and kill them," he said -- without asking anyone's permission.
>"global test"
The sovereign authority to act unilaterally to preserve national security is not in doubt, no matter how many times you try to imply that's what Kerry has in mind. But the U.S. is not free to act immorally or with utter disregard for international opinion. (Not to mention disregard for the facts, because that's a whole other issue, and one that doesn't flatter Bush.) Another way to put it: Kerry will practice the sound, moral judgment that Bush so clearly lacks.
Posted by: VC at October 5, 2004 11:19 AMAgain, I ask you, pleare reconcile Kerry's consecutive statements about "not ceding" and "global test." How do those concepts coexist?
Posted by: TOF at October 5, 2004 10:08 AMCan conservatives win by doing anything other than distort the truth?
Well, when they don't even watch the debate, spin reguritation is all they got. Can we get a more responsible neocon troll here? We can read/hear the paid pundits' spew anywhere. In a word, disappointed, TOF. You've got 3 more debates to apply yourself.
I think I may have found the only way that Kerry can be consistent here: "global" is not an "institution" or a "country." Apples and oranges. Nice! Very Clintonesque!!
Posted by: TOF at October 5, 2004 09:40 AMPlease reconcile those two statements. They are diametrically opposed.
Posted by: at October 5, 2004 09:26 AMThe same Aleksander Kwasniewski who on March 17 said he was "uncomfortable due to the fact that we were misled with the information on weapons of mass destruction"?
Nice try on the "global test" shibboleth. The sentence that immediately preceded that comment was "I will never cede America's security to any institution or any other country." Can conservatives win by doing anything other than distort the truth?
Posted by: VC at October 5, 2004 09:14 AMI believe Bush avoided gaffs with long term consequences like Kerry’s snub of Poland:
“Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski has slammed Dem president hopeful John Kerry for not recognizing Poland's contributions and sacrifice to the war in Iraq. ‘It is sad that a senator with 20 years of experience does not recognize Polish contribution. This is immoral’ - Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski told FACTS in an interview commenting on the US Presidential Debate.”
… and Kerry’s vow that his actions will pass a “global test.” I don’t think Americans want a President who will take a global test before protecting the US.
I believe both of those errors were downplayed by the media (surprise) but will hurt him in the long run.
>Heard Bush did well.
8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D 8^D
VC
Posted by: VC at October 4, 2004 07:41 PMDidn't see the debates. Heard Bush did well. Also heard Lockhart said to McCurry , "The consensus is it was a draw."
Are you saying Rove planted illegal written materials on Kerry?