Prediction: Bush is going into this debate thinking he'll win or draw.

[BurtWorm]

Which means it ought to be very entertaining to watch him lose BIG. Has anything really changed in Bush's attack since last Thursday? He's probably being coached to be relentless and scathing, no holds barred, down and dirty. But knowing the way the Bush "mind" "operates," I think he is incapable of anticipating curve balls, which is very likely what Kerry has been cooking up for the last week in Colorado. I don't want to be too over-confident, but has Bush given us any reason to think there are more colors on his pallet than he's already shown? I don't think so.

[ewagner]

1. Good analysis of Dubya

He has been trying out his attack "on-liners" all week. I have no doubt he has to be scathing and relentless but he has also been trying on a new technique of embedding scathing criticism in "humor"....actually mocking humor.

I think he's been practicing this all week because of the fine line he has to walk in front of "undecided voters". If he comes off as too strident in front of a live audience, he'll get hammered, but if he wraps it in mocking humor, he'll get "laugh lines" to hammer Kerry with.

I think this is where they're headed tonight.

btw: If he pulls this (and I think he will) Kerry should remind him that this is serious business and 1000+ deaths, hundreds of thousands of lost jobs, America's security etc.,isn't a joke.

[BurtWorm]

3. I think you're absolutely right. They're looking for the killer line.

They're so transparent. But I think they've taken their eye off of Kerry because their boy can't walk (deliver the line) and chew gum (anticipate a counter attack) at the same time.

[meg]

2. Bush's speech this week wasn't so much for a do-over for us

as a do-over for Bush's ego. He needed a large dose of adoring masses listening to his scripted come backs.

Rove needed the boy functioning on Friday, not drooling like he would be without the ego pump.

[tibbiit]

4. agreed-- without the ego pump

bush couldnt be made to go on stage.
he needs to fool himself into thinking he will do great... he just doesnt realize that kerry has the smarts to comeback on him on everything he says. It will be shocking for the little deluded chimp.
tib

[CityHall]

5. "What mistakes have you made?"

Remember that one? He'll have a pat answer, but there's bound to be some question he won't have a clue about. In the Gore debate, he bluffed his way through one about how he'd handle a financial crisis by saying he'd gather his advisors together and talk to them about it. People won't be so forgiving of ignorance this time.

[BillZBubb]

6. Prediction: Bush* will have the media in his corner all night.

I think that gives him a good shot at a draw. The corporate whores aren't going to let him lose if they can help it.

Tweety will be gushing over Bush*'s "folksy, real man charm" and the bulge in his pants.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

7. If debate is about domestic policy ...

Bush is going to lose big time. The only thing he did was give a bunch of rich people tax cuts. He already lost on his foreign policy, which amounted to starting a bunch of senseless wars. He's going to lose bad, because he's got no major accomplishments to run on, plus he sounds like a moron when he talks.

[David Dunham]

20. It's about both foreign and domestic policy.

[napi21]

8. Shrub's biggest problem is his inability to think.

I have no idea what the criteria was when Gallup chose the people to submit questions, but I have to believe at least some of them will submit some unforseen questions. Shrub does an ok job on the standard stuff he's asked all the time because he does it by rote, but he always does very poor whit something new. No one can coach someone on EVERYTHING! The individual must demonstrate the ability to think and make decisions for himself.

I wish there were cutaway shots of shrubbs handlers during these debates. I'd enjoy seeing all the looks of exasperation!!!

[PATRICK]

10. Right on

They must choose and stick to one strategy and one or two glib punchlines
out of all the leaky holes in their boat. They must make it too simple and comforting for Bush, limiting their choices. A defensive position will not work. Expect 911 mantra to keep coming up and bold accusations and bolder lies on tax cuts.

Kerry should kneecap him brutally(I mean in trumping the lies) this time and snap the very back of the Bush illusion. At the same time Kerry is more free to relate to the people and bring up a plethora of facts and issues Bush will be much less able to handle since he is simplifying his already meager strategy in order not to tank.

I mean, how can a guy concentrating on face twitching hold up better than he did in the first debate? Bush can be more scattered this time than last. What defeat will the media be calling a relative victory this time? Bush was supposed to at least survive and thrive. Now he is still trying to survive with one debate left and the electorate hardening fast. He has already lost the strategy of the debates and eyes shut and flailing at great pitches in the bottom of the ninth. The score is already beyond reach but just connecting the bat is their fondest hope.

[leftylefty]

9. All I know is...

I'm glad this debate is on a Friday. If I have to drink a shot everytime he mexes his missages again I'm going to be one hung over puppy tomorrow morning! :beer:

[BurtWorm]

12. Welcome!

:toast: (Here's a little warm-up. ;) )

[SammyWinstonJack]

13. LOL

Between his mexed missages and how hard he's working at hard work, one could easily anticipate being extremely hung over. :evilgrin: Welcome to DU. :hi:

[wicket]

11. Kerey's got something up his sleeve

Count on it.

[DemocracyInaction]

14. Some observations.

I don't think inside Bush thinks of a tie or win---he's scared shitless of losing and that's a whole different psychological ball game.

Second, he's practicing liners where the audience whoops it up, laughs, claps. When he delivers, he does the smile and the heaving, giggles shoulders. He won't have that type of reception tonight because the crowd is warned about any cheerleading. A couple people laughing, etc. is going to give the tv audience the impression of a comic who is painfully bombing in front of an audience. He will look like a pathetic fool.

Third, I believe he's going to try (from what I can hear and see) to paint Kerry as pessimistic about the economy. That's a beautiful set up for Kerry to remind the people again that this guy is so out of touch with reality and in denial that he can't solve problems when he can't admit they exist!!!!

Bottom line. You can re-tool a debater because of things like not knowing his facts, etc. But you cannot turn a swine into a smooth silk purse in days.

[leftofthedial]

15. with audience picked by Gallup

and questions from Schieffer, I think the deck is heavily stacked against Kerry


This will be a home game for the little bushturd.

[leftofthedial]

21. I meant Gibson, not Schieffer

sorry.

[BurtWorm]

22. Last one was supposed to be a home game, too.

Maybe he needs an away game to shake things up a bit. ;)

[Stephanie]

16. Kerry looked so strong in the PC yesterday

It was great to see him handling questions from the press with such confidence and aplomb. Imagine the Chimp pulling that off! He is hitting hard and he will hit even harder tonight. I can't wait!

[BurtWorm]

19. I can't wait either!

:hi:

(I really hope I'm not overconfident, but I think it's Kerry's to lose. As long as he does well, Bush is dead meat.)

[Javaman]

17. Folks, are we missing the bigger picture as to why bush will fail?

Last week he had only enough material and brain power to last 30 minutes, maybe 45 minutes tops. Do really honestly believe that he will be able to hold it together for a full 90 minutes? Especially now that the questions will be fielded from an audience.

[BurtWorm]

18. He faded fast in last election's town hall style debate.

I remember thinking he was going to lie down on the floor and finish the debate on his back.