All eyes on third debate after Kerry ups 'likeability' rating

[kskiska]

(snip)

For his part Mr Bush was far more in command of his material than during his dismal performance in the first debate, and he held his temper largely in check, replacing the angry scowls with a studiously blank expression.

The Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg said Mr Kerry had improved his "likeability quotient", especially among uncommitted voters. "He clearly established a sense of confidence and likeability and made possible these gains in personal favourability which, I believe, will translate into vote changes during the next week," the pollster said.

(snip)

Mr Kerry, meanwhile, picked up on one of the most pointed exchanges of Friday night, when Mr Bush refused to answer a woman who had asked for three examples of mistakes made by his administration. "Do we want leadership - as it's called - that can't face reality and admit mistakes?" Mr Kerry asked a Democratic rally in Ohio.

But the president has been just as active in setting out the parameters of Wednesday's debate. With Iraq on the sidelines for now, Mr Bush has abandoned momentarily the "flip-flop" label that has dogged Mr Kerry throughout the campaign to focus on making the case that the Democratic candidate is a tax-and-spend liberal.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0,13918,1324492,00.html

[Kagemusha]

1. I'm annoyed by these Brit reports.

I've read the word "arguments" used as a substitute for the phrase "bald-faced lies". It's getting annoying.

[UCLA Dem]

2. following that logic then bush must be a spend-and-spend crackpot

[Kimber Scott]

4. Spend and Spend Crackhead

Or, maybe he's just "crackish."

[Democat]

3. If Bush uses the phrase "tax and spend" Kerry must say "borrow and spend"

People would rather have a president who tells the truth about how much a war costs than one who lies and borrows against their children's future to help his oil buddies get richer.

Kerry needs to be ready to attack Bush, not just defend himself.

Whoever launches the most effective attacks wins the debate, not the person who defends himself best.

Playing defense is losing. Offense is almost everything right now.

[venus]

5. Respectfully disagree.

Voters (convinced by the media) are looking for the "what can you do for me; not what's wrong with the other guy. They (media) are always complaining Kerry doesn't have a plan, there's no plan: So he needs to stay on the offense in this the most important of debates.

[rfkrocks]

10. Kerry needs to call * the "credit card" president

just charge the debt up to your children-that is a rethug value-f**k the kids

[bunkerbuster1]

11. Or, "No Child Left a Dime."

Cheap shot, but effective.

[alterfurz]

12. or perhaps better yet: "borrow and squander"!

[snippy]

6. The Bush makeover for the second debate was fairly successful.

Which Bush will his advisors choose to show up for the third debate?

[Democat]

9. When Gore changed his strategy for the second debate, the media attacked

When Bush did it, the media praised him and kissed his ass.

That liberal media!

[kayell]

7. he held his temper largely in check? WTF?

Were these people watching at all? Didn't they see * practically attack Charles Gibson?

How many presidential candidates over the years have attacked the moderator?

[Ravenseye]

8. Anyone remember

How people were saying "oh the first debate is the most important one, it's the one everyone watches. Whoever wins that winst he debates, blah blah blah."

Then Kerry smashes Bush

"oh well the other debates are important, especially the VP debate comi8ng up so they can elaborate their positions." ie so CHeney can make up for Bush.

Edwards smashes Cheney

"The second debate is the most important, see it's where Bush will feel more comfortable and thats what people like"

Kerry smashes Bush again

"The THIRD debate...thats the deciding one..."

I'm sick of it. SEriously. If Bush had won the first debate they would have said it was all over.