Friday's Debate Might Not be the Slam Dunk We Think It Will Be

[DemocracyInaction]

As the day wears on I have to admit that I'm having pre-debate jitters. But I do think there is 'hell' waiting in the shadows tomorrow night.

The whore media and Bush campaign/spin doctors were taken totally off guard with the bomb Bush laid in the first debate (don't know why because anyone could have predicted he would screw up). Of course he was prepped not to do a "check your watch like Daddy" or a "sigh like Gore". They were stunned when the idiot did what they told him not to do. None of them could think fast enough after to avoid the debate being called a big Kerry success.

They aren't going to make the same mistake twice. They know they have to kill Kerry tomorrow night or it's all over for Bush---it basically comes down to this one night. They will slaughter Kerry if he so much as coughs. They will be looking for anything and everything as reason to pronounce him "unfit to govern". That piece of GOP shit, Charlie Gibson (whatever his name), is, guaranteed, getting his orders right now from Rove on what to ask as the "follow up questions" he is allowed to ask. They are going to be statements, not questions--you know, like "when did you stop beating your wife" type where the answer doesn't make any difference.

I wouldn't even rule out a bomb thrown at Kerry. If not by Bush, then Charlie, and if not by Charlie, then in the hours before the debate. If Kerry wins this, he rides over Bush in debate three and wins the presidency. But if they can stop him....god knows. You are not going to see a nice media tomorrow night. I predict you will be very angry about 10:31 et.as the spin hits the fan.

[Vincardog]

1. Kerry only has to list W unmitigated failure in every respect to win

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[democrat in Tallahassee]

11. It is hard to believe W can do worse

W has the narcotic for the stupid "tax cuts" that will take him a long way.

Kerry will have te on top of his game to fight this bromide..

[homerthompson]

2. well yes, but don't forget that

the KE campaign knows how hostile the media have been towards them and the dems.
rest assured, Kerry will be prepared for an unfair debate.

[FrankBooth]

3. No way.

Not gonna happen that way.

[hlthe2b]

4. Bush may be more "poised" if that is even possible...

But, he will be on the defensive-- no denying... and he certainlyy doesn't do well on the defense, so he better hope his drugs kick in...

[MO_Dem]

5. Regarding Duhbya's poise

I thought it was pretty funny today, watching Duh try to spin yet another justification for the war, it looked obvious to me that he was practicing his "stand up straight" stance. Yeah, that will make them dumb 'Murcan's believe his lies!

[Jawja]

72. Well, he's toast, then

if he has to think about standing upright and answering a question at the same time!

[DemocracyInaction]

7. oh, Bush will make the usual asshole of himself but I'm talking about

the hounds of hell that are all on high alert for tomorrow. They are going to cover for this pig and go after Kerry with a vengence. The spinners for Kerry need to be out in force (and they will be) and WE have to hit those after-debate polls like never before. Tomorrow night in so many ways is IT. Man the keyboards and fire way before you see the "whites of their eyes".

[Ducks In A Row]

6. I'm worrying on how stacked the audience will be for bush

[DemocracyInaction]

8. Yep, Ducks, all the big money, corporate bastards, etc. are on the

line tomorrow night. Do you think they will let a bunch of 'real Americans' (who are still fucked up and can't figure out who to vote for) into that hall to possibly ask the crime syndicate boy a hard question?? I just keep thinking of "Runaway Jury". I'll bet some real snakes have slipped into this audience or are getting 'offers they can't refuse' and Charlie (the GOP whore) has been told just who to call on. And, of course, the professional whores have been given a script to READ (or die) after the debate to throw it to Bush.

[chrislrob]

9. I'm comforted by the fact that

this is not the kind of forum where you can throw "bombs" easily.

The candidates really don't have the opportunity to talk TOO tough without looking too aggressive or attacking the questioner in the office. This is a time to be charming, more so than in the stand up debates. Here, you are interacting with the audience.

But Bush needs a win. I think we have at least a win and a draw so far. And if Bush ends up with a draw or a loss here I think he can start packing.

So I'm hoping he goes for the throat.

But I don't think it will go over well. At all.

[MercutioATC]

10. The first debate should have been Bush's strongest

Foreign policy, the war on terrorism and Iraq. That's what most of the public feels he's doing right.

The next two debates will be on areas where he doesn't enjoy a great deal of support from the public. Barring something like Kerry having sex with a goat onstage, I think they'll be even tougher for Bush.

[Sparkly]

12. You said something very interesting

I think it's quite true they'll try to throw something out there tomorrow, close to the debate time if possible, to throw Kerry off balance. Something, anything.

I also agree they'll try to catch him at SOMEthing they can spin into "Can you believe he did that?" And I don't expect it'll be a friendly venue for Kerry.

Chimp has no doubt been rehearsed on "comical" insults, and on how NOT to answer questions but instead push "play" on a rehearsed script. But he is very, very easy to trip, because nothing about him is genuine. Expectations for Kerry being "genial" and "likeable" and "relaxed" are low, but Chimp is supposed to be great in these settings, right?

Right...

[kaitykaity]

13. David Brooks on Lehrer last night

said something like if Bush loses this debate,
Kerry wins the presidency, that Bush can't lose
two debates in a row.

This coming from the neocon's bright shiny boy
means to me all bets are off tomorrow night.
The Thugs will try to make it a bloodbath.

[snippy]

14. I think Bush will do poorly.

He will start out doing well but won't be able to maintain the fictional role he has been instructed to portray. He will attack Kerry more harshly than he has in the past and then he will smirk and bob his head briefly before remembering that he has been instructed not to smirk. He then will try to wipe the smirk off his face and try to appear intelligent and thoughtful.

Kerry will point out that Bush is reduced to attacks because he can't run on his record which will make Bush scowl and attempt to interrupt. His shifty, beady eyes will be moving swiftly around the audience looking for supporters and his blinking will become more and more rapid. He will start to say something that varies from his prepared script but then catch himself and be at a temporary loss for words until he remembers his lines.

All of this will be hillarious though somewhat pathetic and the cameras will catch it. Bush will realize that things are not going well and he will attack more stridently and then strut and smirk and blink and bob his head. There may even be a brief flicker of panic in his demeanor. All of this will alienate or make uneasy everyone except the most devout Bush supporters.

[0007]

64. I believe that will be the way it will go, or maybe worse if the

audience cuts loose in a demeaning way against junior.

[G_j]

15. If Kerry speaks like like he did today

he'll kick W's butt.

[donthomas]

16. I Think This Will Be Harder For Kerry To Win

... for the following reasons:

1. The town hall format is less formal, and Bush does better in informal settings.

2. The questions won't be interconnected, i.e., there won't be a moderator who is asking followups. Makes it easier to tell whopping lies and/or fillibuster and evade the question.

3. Because the questions are coming from individuals and not reporters, they are likely to be open-ended generalities like, "What are you going to do about Social Security." This will allow Bush to repeat his campaign brochures.

Kerry needs to get Bush rattled, and do it early. In my opinion, Edwards was too easy on Cheney in the beginning -- to respectful, too willing to allow him to play Dad. Kerry's got to be even tougher than he was last time. The line they've been using lately about "not being straight" is lame. Kerry has to say that Bush isn't telling the truth.

I wouldn't use the L word, but definitely go after him again and again for not telling the truth. And do it right away. Make this thing intense from the get-go to tax Bush's stamina. If Kerry can get him cranky and tired like he was last time, he can overcome the advantage that the town hall format gives to Bush.

[DemocracyInaction]

17. donthomas---unfortunately there is follow up at the descretion of

none other than Charlie Gibson the GOP whore that is moderating this debate. After the audience question, Charlie can pursue and ask questions and this guy is dangerous. He already did a horrible hatchet job on Kerry on his morning program months ago and Kerry was caught with mike still on going bullshit about the bastard just reading the Rove talking points that were sent to him. This is the dangerous guy. And, the media whores after who were thrown off guard with the first performance....they will be out for blood this time.

[donthomas]

20. Hmm, That Makes It Tougher

... well, let's hope Kerry will look at the camera this time. He'd have been even more effective in the first debate if he hadn't been looking at the unseen moderator during almost all of his answers.

[fugop]

45. Looking at the camera ...

That doesn't bother me at all, but I know a lot of people suggest that. Still, this is a townhall where people ask the questions. I imagine Kerry needs to answer the questioner directly or he'll be accused of not connecting. I have faith, however, as everyone who's been at his town halls seems to suggest he's so much better than the press lets on. I think that Kerry's former rival, Weld, said something on Imus about how Kerry KILLED him in their townhall debate. Keep hope alive!

[janx]

53. Bush is lousy at debate because he's awful at thinking on his

feet.

It's just not in him, no matter what the format. These aren't even real debates, but he has a real problem when he has to act on his own. The same problem will exist tomorrow night. The format and performance will vary, but the problem will be the same.

And he also has a hell of a lot to explain--which he will be unwilling or unable to do.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

18. Will the media turn Bush into Chauncey Gardner tomorrow?

And give him credit just for 'Being There'? If Bush simply appears more relaxed and glib, if he smirks instead of scowls, if he simply comes up with extra Chimpery to fill the void will the pundits marvel over the depth and greater meaning of his performance?

I know there's no way that Bush can come close to having a true debate with John Kerry on an equal intellectual footing. But we all know the media, and how they desperately want a Bush comeback.

[venus]

29. I think Bush will be more composed and serious this time out

The smrky jokes may have just been a weak ploy to try and throw us off balance. But I bet Kerry won't fall for it. The media will be in a frenzy before and after. Yuck.

[Zen Democrat]

62. No Way! Chance the Gardener was WAY smarter than Georgie.

[Andromeda]

19. Kerry knows that there will be a questions...

designed to throw him off his stride. He's very well prepared and will be able to handle anything that comes his way. The stakes are high but Kerry will find a way to get in what he has to say EVEN though the rules may limit or prohibit spontaneous comments.

Bush ignored the rules a couple of times in the last debate and got away with it. They were minor but it shows his lack of discipline when confronted. He couldn't just turn around and walk away like he does in his infrequent press conferences.

Bush will not be able to control himself. All Kerry has to do is push Dim Son's buttons and he'll forget about his body language and demeanor. When Chimpy is frustrated it shows in his facial expressions and his head bobs up and down. He doesn't stand up tall and tends to lean on the lecturn because he thinks he looks like a regular guy when he does that but in reality it just makes him look lazy.

I have butterflies in my stomach too but I also have a lot of faith in Kerry and if anybody can trip up the boy king, Kerry can.

edited for spelling

[venus]

26. After seeing Kerry at the press conference,

how could one not be secure in him. He gave us a boost; we need to give it back. All he has to do is be himself (the pissed-off-in command self he was today) and its a cakewalk.

[Andromeda]

30. I agree.

:hi:

[Andromeda]

28. I wanted to add that ...

there will probably be shills planted in the audience hostile to Kerry. It's bad enough that Gibson is the moderator but if Kerry is aware that anything can happen (and I'm sure he is) maybe some of their bullshit will backfire.

I don't know if they will be standing behind lecturns or sitting on chairs. My guess is that they will use lecturns because Bush has to have something to lean on.

[DemocracyInaction]

35. Andro--when you mentioned the "lecturns"

Saw a piece in Time magazine where they said when Bush leans over and forward at the lecturn he looked like he was ducking and dodging. Exactly right. It made him look weak. I believe this townhall stuff is sitting on a stool and walking around when answering a question. I think a curve ball to Bush from the audience would just blow this dipshits mind BUT I've seen Kerry handle hecklers, etc. He has a way of taking away their ammo with facts and reason. In fact, if there are plants, it isn't going to look good for Bush. People, really, aren't that stupid. It will reflect on his whole sleazy operation badly.

[ladybugg33]

21. Don't sell Kerry short. He is prepared for the schemes of the thugs.

He didn't get to where he is now with no brains. That's what Bush did.

[Carla in Ca]

41. Thats right...

He will turn the boat straight to the enemy...amd attack!!!!!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

22. Bush As Much Chance Of Beating Kerry As Pee Wee Herman Has Of Beating

Bernard Hopkins...

[donthomas]

24. Don't Be So Confident

We all agree Bush is a five-star asshole, but he's a cunning asshole who beat Gore on style in '00. I puked while I watched him do it, but I say these things aren't over 'til they're over. I'm a little concerned that people here are so confident about tomorrow that if Kerry loses they'll want to commit hari-kari or something. Look, it's entirely possible that Bush could win it. Now before anyone flames me, I think Kerry will win it -- all I'm saying is that it's not a slam dunk.

[T Town Jake]

23. Kerry will win in a walk, period. n/t

[DemocratSinceBirth]

27. Can You Believe These Nervous Nellies?

Could you imagine if they were at D Day?

[T Town Jake]

33. If some of the Chicken Little's I've seen around here were at...

...D Day, we'd all be speaking German. I never realized until some of these "the sky is falling! the sky is falling!" threads started to proliferate everywhere that pessimism could be perfected to an art form.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

43. These People Are Well Intentioned...

They think they are lowering expectations...


But when we are around other progressives we can be ourselves....

[T Town Jake]

48. I completely agree, you summed up my feelings exactly...

...I like your avatar, BTW. :hi:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

49. I Shook RFK's Hand When I Was Six Years Old...

He was running for senator from New York and he was at a campaign rally in Queens... My mother took me to the front of the rope line...

I also have autographed pictures of him Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy, and Muhammad Ali...

[Cronus Protagonist]

25. I agree. And Bush has never lost a debate yet, so it's more scary

Bush will be all "awwww shucksy" and Kerry will have his work cut out to appeal to the common man. It's going to be tough, but I think Mr. Kerry can carry it off if Mr. Bush is off his game as much as he was in the last debate.


http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[orpupilofnature57]

31. One for the textbooks,every trick ,sch tick and icepick.

Marshall McLuhan said there would be plays like this,where the media has the means to change what is likable,fluid,digestible in Essenes the truth as it is meant in perception.It should be a cinch to spot the smoke ATTEMPTS,as it will be impossible to make subtle stabs.

[Shadow30]

32. Still Bush is going to have a hard time....

....there is a great deal at stake tomorrow night and Bush is not in such a strong postion,he is starting to get desperate and being desperate doesn't serve Bush well.That is Kerry's best angle,he must know how high the stakes are,Bush lost the first debate and it was a serious blow since it will almost certainly be the most watched debate and it was about security which was suppose to be Bush's strong suit,the VP debate was at best a draw,they really needed a knock out punch on that on and they didn't get it.Kerry is aware that Bush will be out for blood,its true Fridays debate is going to be tough for Kerry but it will also be tough for Bush....he might panic if he feels he is losing the debate.Kerry needs to be ready for alot of questions from left field,alot of attacks from Bush, and he needs to be calm and yet come back on every point.If he remains calm and cool and doesn't let Bush get to him and keeps making good solid points on everything Bush might lose his cool and he is prone to that sort of thing.Bush lacks patience,he is also a bad sport.Bush will be different in this debate,he will try and broadcast an air of confidence and self control but its something Kerry can take apart if he plays it right and I think Kerry is capable of doing just that.

[Pepperbelly]

34. You can't polish a turd.

And rhetorically, that is EXACTLY what Bush is.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

50. Wrong-Literally That's What He Is (nt)

[lagniappe]

36. After 4 years watching this fool, I don't think he is capable

of pulling off a respectable performance. I suspect Bush will come out swinging on Friday. But he will probably end up sounding angry or shrill. When Bush tries to explain himself, he often sounds like he is whining.

We've heard over and over again that many people think Bush is a folksy, down-to-earth, friendly guy. If he tries to pull a Cheney, I think most people will finally see his true colors.

I think it will be a slam dunk for Kerry. Bush is a miserable speaker with a miserable record as president. Kerry can easily attack Bush while sounding calm and reasonable.

[NashVegas]

37. I Expect He'll Hold His Own

And for that sole reason, he'll be declared the winner in the contrast to his previous performance.

And oh how I want to be wrong.

[liberalpress]

70. Bush could fall down drunk..

..babble incoherently, insult the audience and flip off the press... the pundits will still declare him the winner. It doesn't really matter what they say... what matters is what they se, and the audience will be able to tell which man is more presidential. All John Kerry has to do is look Presidential. "The Closer" is in the mound. Last week was strike one...Here's the wind up... the pitch...

[MoonRiver]

38. Do you project * will get a brain transplant?

Aside from this, unlikely, possibility, Kerry wins.

[DemocracyInaction]

39. I do wish some of you would at least attempt to read a post before

spewing. And that's what the last few have been. My post has NOTHING to do with Kerry losing to Bush. Kerry will eat Bush for dinner. It's about a media and a Bush spin machine that was taken by surprise in the last debate and will be out like caged animals tomorrow. It's about audience plants. It's about Charlie Gibons and his 'follow up' questions. It's about the MEDIA. It's so frustrating when people go off like that and never read. It really is.

[Orangepeel]

40. Kerry can hardly be better and bush sure can't be worse (n/t)

[janx]

51. True. Bush* wasn't good at debating in 2000, and he hasn't

exactly improved.

[Insomnicole]

42. I'd never consider any debate a "slam dunk" for anyone.

I think that was Bush's fatal error last Thursday: he was supposed to own the whole national security/foreign affairs subject, and he obviously didn't think Kerry would be able to challenge him effectively because of his own votes on Iraq. When Kerry started putting on a spirited offense, it really caught ol' Dubya up short. I don't anticipate him being caught flatfooted again.

That being said, ITA that the spin is going to be flying fast and thick before the two even hit the stage tomorrow night. I know someone who works for the opposing camp, and the tone of near-hysterical desperation in his emails to me (Cheney won the debate in a walkover on Tuesday night and anyone who claims otherwise is just a dupe of the lyin' librul media, yada yada yada) is a thing to behold.

[Gloria]

44. Tom Oliphant on Majority Report today...said

that the town hall format makes it hard for EITHER candidate to win.
It can easily make someone look like a fool, however. He said that the questions will be all over the map, so that it will be hard to do a simple, hammering home of one thing repetitively. My inference from that comment was that that is Bush's crutch.
He also said that it's hard to come back from a showing like he had at the first debate.

He also commented on Bush's speech yesterday...saying the harsher language shows nervousness or desperation.

*******
My thought is that Kerry will cope well with the more fluid format...

On the other hand, putting Bush with people around him tends to "humanize" him versus being at a podium. But if he says stupid things and Kerry can nail him, that will help.

[vetwife]

46. My take.....

I suspect the questions will be screened to the max which is Bull
and Kerry will get hardballs and Bush will get the softballs, but with what all has gone on today, it is not gonna be a walk in the park for anybody. Kerry's time is gonna be limits will work against him. Bush is used to soundbytes and just saying over and over we will Stay the Course. He has three points of message and its 9-11, its Stay the Course, Tax Cuts. Thats it. That is the only answers he can give without going off into oblivion.
Kerry is more complicated but a pin cushion is more complicated than Bush so that is not fair. I don't think we will see a Bush meltdown, but I don't think we will see a Kerry slam dunk either. It will probably be called a tie.

[TheDonkey]

47. It won't. Media will be in full whore mode, Bush will be better since he

lowered the bar to the floor after last debate.

[riverwalker]

52. Preemptive strike: Write Gibson NOW

ABC News, Good Morning America, http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/GoodMorningAmeri...

[Jim__]

54. I share your concern, but what can bush do?

Unless he's wired and being fed answers, I don't think he's sharp enough to out-debate Kerry. His handlers really can't anticipate what questions real people are going to ask. They can prep him to make certain points; but if he keeps repeating those points, I think he'll look stupid. He'll have a couple of zingers for sound bites. But, they can't make up for 58 years of laziness in one week's prep.

I think if I were advising bush, I'd have him wear an earpiece. I really don't think he can take 90 minutes of real questions on his own. The only other option I can see is to have him play keep away. Draw out his answers, ignore the time limit and limit the number of questions that can be asked.

[realcountrymusic]

55. Fear not . . .

I am convinced, along with many on DU, that something is organically wrong with the chimp in chief. I watched a few minutes of one of the 2000 debates last week, right after Kerry kicked Shrub's ass. Against Gore, Shrub spoke in mostly complete sentences, generally had some semi-coherent answer, even if canned, ready to go within seconds of getting a question, and was reasonably poised, though still a goofball.

Four years later and they haven't let him meet an unsupporting crowd, hold an unscripted press conference (except the one he botched terribly last Spring), or do an interview with an unfriendly reporter (except that beautiful Irish one who tore him a new one). Even on whore Russert's show Bush looked really bad. Unless he's reading from a teleprompter or a well-rehearsed script, he's flailing. Something is definitely awry -- Korsakoff's, presenile dementia, drinking again, fatigue, whatever. I'm amazed they agreed to any debates, it's so obvious. I guess they hoped Kerry would turn in a weak performance and that Shrub could aw shucks his way to a draw.

I know the media will try to spin it back to Shrub. Of course they will. They were sort of into evening the race up for drama, but this is getting out of HAND. Kerry might even WIN. You can see the panic on the faces of Crowley, Blitzer, Tweety, and all the rest of 'em (except blessed Keith Olbermann). But as with the Cheney gaffes, the facts will trip them when they try. They can lie, but not when the plain truth is too obvious to deny.

I'm not being overconfident. I think Kerry did good to take 2-3 days off in Colorado and prepare his ass off. It shows he's serious, while Shrub spins his wheels in desperation. I guarantee K/E reviewed the first debate and will correct a few errors of poise -- looking at the camera, going a bit more humorously for the jugular. No way Shrub could have been practicing too seriously over the past few days. He's been very visible on the campaign trail, and god knows what went into giving that over the top ugly performance in Pennsylvania. I think we saw a preview - but not a giveaway -- today of what Kerry has in store for the naked emperor tomorrow, and it rocked. Kerry has to watch seeming mean, piling on an obviously overmatched and outgunned Shrub. His best weapon will be a smile, the humorous but bloody dig -- "just last week, before my opponent decided Saddam really didn't attack us on 9-11" kinda stuff. Twist the knife. Serve revenge for all the smears of the summer very very cold. Dissect him!

I'm nervous, but not really worried. I've been a Kerry supporter all along, and he reminds me of the NY Yankees. Most of the time, he'll find some way to win the series, even if it takes until the last inning of game 7 to do it. (And I'm a Red Sox fan, so I have experience with this!). Let's send our man some good vibes, and don't clutter the energy field with fear. Our confidence has obviously been increasingly infectious. Get ready to fight the spin war all over again: download a few browsers so you can hit polls four or five times in succession without stopping to clear cookies. Pre-draft your post-debate messages to the media. Make sure your apathetic cousin or neighbor watches this thing, and if s/he missed the first one, fill her/him in on just what happened.

I'm FIRED UP!

RCM

[blue sky at night]

56. jesus man, where are your balls!

I am not afraid. What is with the limp wristed Dems always worried about the meanies. God almighty, dont you have any faith in the idea that the truth will win out?? Stop the whinning and get ready for Bush to do just what he always does. I say "BRING EM ON!"

[Disturbed]

61. Piss on the fascist Media!!!

Most people have intuitive sense if not common sense. TV is more about perceptions than facts and details. Kerry has got it down. He learned not to expound and he smiles more. He is tough. Bush is a phony. For those that are not bushmoonies the phony w is obvious. Kerry will shine. The Media can go eat shit.

[Politicub]

57. Kerry has self control

And I don't think Bush has any control over hiding his emotions. He seemed so petulant at the first debate I wondered to myself if he's suffering from tourette's syndrome.

[dennis4868]

58. After the debate....

Tweety will be jumping up and down that Bush won the debate and crushed Kerry and that the election is over....it does not matter how good Kerry does or how bad Bush does, he has his statements prepared along with Andrea Mitchell and Tim Russert!

[NightOwwl]

59. The media made complete asses out of themselves

when they immediately declared Cheney the winner of the VP debate.

They may be gun-shy about rushing to judgement. Let's hope so.

[RummyTheDummy]

60. Go crawl back in your little defeatist spider hole

Im so sick of cowardly, I can't take the heat, posts like this. Work for victory or get the fuck out of the way. Politics and candy asses don't mix.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

65. Right On Brother...

Actually we have too many well intentioned DUers who think they are part of the campaign and have to lower expectations with Bush comeback memes...

This is a website for Dems...


Who are we going to spin?


Ourselves...

Kerry will beat Bush like the proverbial red headed stepchild...

[Sideways]

68. YES!

These debates are going to do the one thing we have been gnashing our teeth over for 4 years...THEY ARE GOING TO BUST THE MYTHS OF *.

The media haven't done it, the insiders in Washington haven't done it, the scandals haven't done it.....but these debates will. Why? Because they are first and only time in four years that Bush has been held to real scrutiny.

This is * unplugged and it isn't gonna get any better than last weeks jam session. Stop the "folksy charm" myth * doesn't do charm, or nuance, or nice, or witty, or folksy.

HE DOES ASSHOLE AND THAT IS IT. Now if your asshole can sing and dance and connect with common folk and much more I'm impressed...my asshole just pretty much shits.

[Trajan]

71. Hear Hear .....

This mamby-pamby "I am your prisoner" crap is ridiculous ....

Kerry is going to kick Bush's idiotic ass up one side and down the other ....

Why do I know this ? .... Because George Bush CANNOT be trained to be 'smart' .... He cannot take advice, and remember it ....

Furthermore: Kerry is on a tremendous roll: The News Cycle is with him and against Bush .. in a big way ....

There is no place for the Boy Prince to hide: he is gonna get clobbered tonight ....

[Zen Democrat]

63. I just hope Dum-Dum repeats his stump mantra that the rich people don't

pay taxes because they have "loopholes" and "accountants" so raising their taxes won't help the economy.

I've been waiting for JK to knock that one out of the ballpark for weeks. Like ... "if they get out of paying their taxes .. why the hell do they need billions of tax cuts????

[mzmolly]

66. My thoughts aren't quite as grim, but I declare that the media will try to

give Bush the edge in this one. Especially given Gallup chose the audience :eyes: and "Gibby" is moderating. Both work in *'s favor.

Soooo, get ready for some media activism folks. :hi:

[ScreamingMeemie]

67. I am just as cautiously optimistic as I was last week. In our local

media, I am seeing a definite turn against Mr Bush. I am really hoping the media is done giving him a pass. He has sounded like a goofball in speeches all week. I'm just saying....;) :hi:

[colonel odis]

69. expect to see gop plants in the audience asking questions.

karl rove in a dress, "mr. president i just want you to know everyone i know adores you and thinks you're the greatest thing ever."

karen hughes with a moustache, raising the pitch of her voice so she'll appear to be more manly, "mr. president, why can't everyone understand how much better off we are with saddam gone?"

[JCMach1]

73. This will be a capstone to Bush's worst 8 days of his presidency

the wheels are coming off...