http://www.smirkingchimp.com/print.php?sid=18240Ben Roberts: 'Bush and Kerry: Slowboat meets swiftboat'
Date: Wednesday, October 13
By Ben Roberts
George Bush has been saying over and over in regard to Senator Kerry, 'You can run but you can't hide.' It is so true. But not for Kerry. It sticks to Bush like Crazy Glue. Bush and his team have been vilifying Kerry to no end. Questioning his patriotism, mocking his twenty plus year record in the Senate, suggesting he lacks commitment and steadfastness, and debasing his war record by claiming his war wounds and medals were unjustified. Bush and his crew engaged in
a running battle, and I couldn't wait for the day of reckoning when Kerry caught up with him. It finally happened in the first and second debates. Bush had nowhere to run or hide. He had two problems on his hands. He had to face both a real Commander in Kerry, and a jury in the American public. Bush took a pounding. It was a case of Slowboat meets Swiftboat.
Kenneth Mehlman, one of Bush close campaign advisers concluded disparagingly of the first debate that Kerry did well because he possessed a 'silver tongue.' Deliver me! But then Mr. Mehlman would probably try to sell air conditioning units to Eskimos if he can get away with it. If he could not see the silver spoon jammed down George Bush's throat, and his boss speechless and gagging on it, then he is beyond hope.
Americans once and for all got to see George W. Bush. All Alone! Minus Cheney to field questions. Without his usual No Protest zones. Absent his carefully vetted receptive crowds. The man had to face America and the world. What they saw and heard was so shocking and
embarrassing as to leave one respondent to an Internet article on the subject to exclaim 'Is this the man who we have with his finger on the world's most potent nuclear arsenal? Are you s-----n' me? Well put. Couldn't have said it better myself. And what really did we see?
There was George Bush, vacuous stare prominently displayed. He seemed clueless, as if there was nothing behind his eyes. But think back to former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neil's description of Bush as being out of it and uninvolved during important Cabinet meetings. What we saw is exactly how he described Bush. And his voice? Bush's voice was croaking as if he was in the desert and desperate for a lifesaving drink. He was repetitive, appearing only able to say what he had been programmed to say. The volume of his voice did not suit the occasion, especially the second debate. This one was a townhall discussion. A cozy fireside chat if you will. Bush's voice was loud, abrasive and challenging, as if he was involved in a bar room showdown or brawl. He seemed jacked up on something, especially when he blurted but 'Wait. Wait. No I have to answer this. Tell Tony Blair it was a mistake. Tell Tony Blair that!' The man was downright unsettling. One was left to wonder, 'Is this the man we ent rust with negotiating with the world in our best interest and for our safety?'
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