C-SPAN's Coverage of Tonight's Debate

[RJ1]

I thought Kerry did an outstanding job. I didn't expect much from him and was very surprised. He was intelligent, articulate and showed a breadth of knowledge on the issues. I'm impressed.

 

[burrow_owl]

The Repubs on PBS are spinning in hilarious fashion. One of 'em said something like, 'Well, being a good debater is all about being able to take different positions on the same issue, and we all know Kerry excels at that'. Heh. Funny that it was more or less a tacit admission that Kerry won. 'But he's a flip-flopper!'

 

[zachflash]

I believe President Bush won the debate. He seemed more agressive, more interested, and was ready to give an answer that reflected his resolute core values.

 

[Amalthea]

Vote out of 100 since Ken H brought it up:

Kerry 90
Bush 50
Lehrer 90 (gotta vote for the Moderator)

I'll admit though it would be hard for me to score Bush very high no matter what. His style (or lack thereof) and his butchering of the language and all around anti-intellectualism rub me the wrong way. So I guess my score does not mean a darn thing.

 

[Doctrine1st]

I suspect they'll choose to spin or ignore that portion of his comments.

I probably will vote for Kerry, and I really don't have a problem with pre-emptive strikes. But the problem is you need to state your case, prove your case, and you can't afford to wrong. And we were.

 

[Amalthea]

I believe President Bush won the debate. He seemed more agressive, more interested, and was ready to give an answer that reflected his resolute core values.

More agressive? Even if you hate what Kerry said he was definitely the more agressive. Did you watch it?

 

[zachflash]

Well, Bush responded the most to Kerry's statements, instead of Kerry wanting to responding more often to Bush's statements.

 

[Jacob4Jesus]

Same again.

Kerry didn't win. Bush lost.

I kinda agree... although actually, I had supported Kerry before the debate, and now I am kinda disillusioned about both candidates.

 

[ApostateAbe]

I'm going to drink tonight with my roommate in celebration of Kerry's trouncing subjugation.

 

[KenH]

His style (or lack thereof) and his butchering of the language and all around anti-intellectualism rub me the wrong way. So I guess my score does not mean a darn thing.

As a regular guy myself, I like President Bush's style(or lack thereof), his speaking like we regular folks, and his anti-intellectualism(although I love to read publications such as Foreign Affairs and well-written books). There is certainly no love lost between the elite and me.

 

[Jewles]

and how did he win them 'hands down'? He hit no home runs, and really didn't make a ding on Bush, although Bush didn't really do much either. I don't see any movement in the polls happening and certainly nothing to make up the huge hole Kerry is in right now.

Actually, the MSNBC poll says Kerry won this 81% Kerry, Bush 16%

I cant find the fox poll, but im still looking.

 

[praying]

His style (or lack thereof) and his butchering of the language .

I think he said "ahh" silence "umm" at least 50 times in 90 minutes.

 

[burrow_owl]

heh. PBS is talking about the off-camera smirking.

 

[burrow_owl]

I cant find the fox poll, but im still looking.

They must have 'misplaced' it. I have a feeling they won't find it.

 

[KenH]

Actually, the MSNBC poll says

We all know there is definitely nothing scientific about Internet polls. I have voted in several and voted that Senator Kerry won. But there's no way I will vote for him.

 

[BigToe]

I don't think it would be possible for Bush to win it. He doesn't excel at public speaking when he hasn't studied his notes and questions a ton before the speech. The fumbles here and there showed that he didn't do his homework. Now, Kerry isn't my ideal either. So the campaign for me at this point is Kerry winning my vote or ensuring I vote 3rd party to try and get them the 5% to guarantee them on the ballot next election. I did find it extremely irritating that Bush repeated the same comments over and over- most of the time missing the point that Kerry was making while saying the statements to begin with- in attempts to throw an answer back in Kerry's face. Repeating something once or twice is fine- but in every single answer- come up with your own retort.

One thing Kerry did point out that has been something I've thought for a very very long time is the issue of trying to disarm the world while we still pursue new nuclear weapons. I'm glad he said that doesn't make sense- because I agree that sends a very mixed message. So as far as flip flopping goes- I don't think its fair for Republicans to point that finger only at Kerry as they are just as confusing!

 

[Amalthea]

As a regular guy myself, I like President Bush's style(or lack thereof), his speaking like we regular folks, and his anti-intellectualism(although I love to read publications such as Foreign Affairs and well-written books). There is certainly no love lost between the elite and me.

Regular does not have to be dumb, something America fails to appreciate.

 

[BigToe]

About Bush's regular style... he called the terrorists a "group of folks".... now I can appreciate someone discussing something on a "regular" level- but they aren't just a group of 'folks'

 

[burrow_owl]

He doesn't excel at public speaking when he hasn't studied his notes and questions a ton before the speech.

He's lousy when it comes to facts and policy - he just comes off like an 11 year-old squirming through a Latin lesson or something. When he talks about emotion and stuff, though, he's great. When he was recounting talking with a war widow, for example, he romped. He totally slayed with that answer.

 

[Ceris]

Well after watching the debates from a large TV set up in a lounge on my campus with a decent crowd, I would have to say that Kerry won the debate (even though I do not support him). He definately took the notes of staying on point and being clear and relatively concise.