Debate Watch I
I wake this morning to the fresh chance for John Kerry to assume the Oval Office in January. He was a clear winner in last night’s debate. Oh, the spinmeisters from the Republican side are all claiming victory today, but if you watched, as I did, no honest person could make that assertion.
Mr. Bush appeared flustered, angry, perturbed, confused, and mildly delusional in his continual repetition of his thirty minutes of prepared material. I say thirty minutes because, after the first half-hour, regardless of the question, his subsequent answers were mere paraphrases of his answers of the first half-hour. He was, and has been during the entire compaign, a broken record. His answers expressed no plan for our future, and no admission, explanation or justification for the mistakes of the past. Regardless of the question, Mr. Bush merely twisted his first few sentences of his answer until he got around to repeating the party line ideological dogma time after time. Is this the type of leader we want and need? What is his plan for future success in Iraq? As Mr. Kerry stated last night, the Bush plan is as follows: “More of the same”. Which means: each month, increasing casualties; each day, declaration that we are making good progress, “no worries”. Mr. Bush’s rebuttals were weak and meandering, many having nothing at all to do with Mr. Kerry’s comments, and some bordered on irrational and completely non sequitur. His body language was not that of a confident man. Several times he looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car, with the grim realization of his fate. Just imagine W going into a summit conference, or treaty negotiation with the level of preparation and attitude we observed last night. Is it any wonder Mr. Bush cannot get any cooperation from our recalcitrant allies? Webster’s defines negotiate as, “to deal or bargain”; bargain as, “an agreement between parties settling what each shall give and take or perform and receive in a transaction”. This president does not give, he does not settle. He demands, and he takes. It is his way or the highway. And he again made that very clear last night. He is unwilling to admit ANY error in judgment. Once faced with that error, he then further compounds the mistake by his utter failure to adjust. He is closed to new ideas, and the concept of compromise. They say he practiced for six months for this debate. Did it show? I think not. I say he deserves a vacation, say, starting January 21, 2005? I’d give him a C-minus. A poor performance for a prospective commander-in-chief, let alone an incumbent.
By contrast, Mr. Kerry’s answers were clear and to the point. He actually answered the questions put forth. There was no waffling or “flip-flopping”. (Gawd, I hate that term. It sounds like some juvenile schoolyard taunt, which it is) He described how he would do things diferently, by engaging our allies and initiating dialogue with those who oppose us. He didn’t take armed force off the table. He simply considers it the very last option, not the only one. He knows war is evidence of the failure of imagination, and unprovoked war a weapon of choice not necessity. Mr. Bush’s Freudian slip last night was that Iraq attacked the United States. After being caught by Mr. Kerry in that lie, he retorted that of course he knew it was Bin Laden that attacked us. I’m not so sure. Mr. Kerry’s rebuttals were also clear, cogent, and germane to the questions. He was confident and at ease in this environment.
I think this debate was very telling in delineating their styles. Mr. Kerry exhibited the statesmanlike stature and ability that we deserve in a leader. He is deliberate. Since when did that become a liability? He is intelligent. Since when was that a drawback for a leader? He does change his mind. You would prefer a leader who ignores his staff, military leaders, and intelligence estimates to one who flies by the seat of his pants? Based on his immense international experience? Remember, W had only left the United States once in his life prior to becoming the President. No wonder the lack of global understanding. He only knows politics Texas-style. Mr. Kerry brings a level of tact, acumen, and perspective that is sorely lacking in our present Commander-in-Chief, and I think he showed that last night. Overall, I give him an A-.
I am a Democrat, and proud of it. I care about people, and the future of the world. Mr. Bush is a threat to that future.
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