Friday, October 01, 2004
Impressions of the Debate
Watching the debate last night reminded me of the "My Land" video clip from JibJab that was so popular a few months ago. I think part of the reason for its popularity is that what supporters of one candidate tended to see as a positive about their candidate, the other camp viewed as a negative and vice versa. Subsequently everyone liked what they saw and weren't offended.
To me both candidates confirmed my previous impressions. Kerry came across as glib and vacuous. Bush came across as barely articulate and genuine. Kerry criticized and avoided going out on a limb for anything. Bush was stubbornly principled to the point of refusing to be persuasive.
Kerry was clearly on the offense throughout the debate, as he probably should have been. Bush seemed only willing to counter-punch. I think part of this may have been the strategy he was given. It also seemed apparent that Kerry intended to steal some thunder by statements like, "I will find and kill terrorists", and briefly mentioning Israel. It almost seemed like he knew the question was coming when the said that the main foreign policy issue was nuclear proliferation. None of Kerry's blows landed. On the other hand Bush was restrained. The most clear example of this was when Lehrer dangled the "character" issue in front of him. It was his finest moment in the debate (Even more so than his "we have climbed the mountain" closing remark), and he instead let his own character shine by refusing to take the bait, and listing what he admired in his opponent. Kerry couldn't help but be disarmed, and couldn't match his graciousness. But at many other times Bush's restraint was frustrating, he seemed to let several opportunities to pounce on Kerry slip by.
At the end I couldn't see a great advantage for either side. Kerry, while being more fluid pulled a few tricks out of his sleeve which fell flat. Bush seemed to be content with neutralizing Kerry's attacks by pointing out Kerry's self-contradictions. A sound strategy, but I must admit, a little unsatisfying.
In the end both candidates reverted to type. Kerry's supporters will no doubt agree with one young man who called in after the debate. He expressed his embarrassment at the President and said that the debate showed that Kerry was his intellectual superior. I on the other hand could care less if Bush refers to the leaders of Iran as "Moo-lahs",(not that Kerry didn't have his gaffes, like "Treblinka" Square in Moscow). In fact the irritation it caused in others delights me. I saw a President that said he would always put our interests before other country's and I believe him. I see a man who gambled his political future on the most appropriate response instead of playing it safe politically. He sticks to his principles even when it exasperates supporters like me. I would have jumped all over Kerry in that debate. I would have also probably said things I wouldn't be proud of later.
I have to confess that I would like the President to be more aggressive next time, and yet I admire the decency he has that I have yet to achieve. As a Christian I recognize that he is more mature, more Christ-like than I am. Until the next debate I'll try to bite my tongue and trust him the way he trusts his principles.
To me both candidates confirmed my previous impressions. Kerry came across as glib and vacuous. Bush came across as barely articulate and genuine. Kerry criticized and avoided going out on a limb for anything. Bush was stubbornly principled to the point of refusing to be persuasive.
Kerry was clearly on the offense throughout the debate, as he probably should have been. Bush seemed only willing to counter-punch. I think part of this may have been the strategy he was given. It also seemed apparent that Kerry intended to steal some thunder by statements like, "I will find and kill terrorists", and briefly mentioning Israel. It almost seemed like he knew the question was coming when the said that the main foreign policy issue was nuclear proliferation. None of Kerry's blows landed. On the other hand Bush was restrained. The most clear example of this was when Lehrer dangled the "character" issue in front of him. It was his finest moment in the debate (Even more so than his "we have climbed the mountain" closing remark), and he instead let his own character shine by refusing to take the bait, and listing what he admired in his opponent. Kerry couldn't help but be disarmed, and couldn't match his graciousness. But at many other times Bush's restraint was frustrating, he seemed to let several opportunities to pounce on Kerry slip by.
At the end I couldn't see a great advantage for either side. Kerry, while being more fluid pulled a few tricks out of his sleeve which fell flat. Bush seemed to be content with neutralizing Kerry's attacks by pointing out Kerry's self-contradictions. A sound strategy, but I must admit, a little unsatisfying.
In the end both candidates reverted to type. Kerry's supporters will no doubt agree with one young man who called in after the debate. He expressed his embarrassment at the President and said that the debate showed that Kerry was his intellectual superior. I on the other hand could care less if Bush refers to the leaders of Iran as "Moo-lahs",(not that Kerry didn't have his gaffes, like "Treblinka" Square in Moscow). In fact the irritation it caused in others delights me. I saw a President that said he would always put our interests before other country's and I believe him. I see a man who gambled his political future on the most appropriate response instead of playing it safe politically. He sticks to his principles even when it exasperates supporters like me. I would have jumped all over Kerry in that debate. I would have also probably said things I wouldn't be proud of later.
I have to confess that I would like the President to be more aggressive next time, and yet I admire the decency he has that I have yet to achieve. As a Christian I recognize that he is more mature, more Christ-like than I am. Until the next debate I'll try to bite my tongue and trust him the way he trusts his principles.
papijoe 5:51 AM
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