The debate for dummies
Well, I was watching the debate in some unexpectedly conservative company, but the overriding things that came through:
1) The moderator was horrible. The questions were too vague, and on at least two examples weren't really questions at all. The vagueness allowed both participants to wander from the intended subject. On several Kerry questions, Kerry didn't get a retort on Bush's statements; on Bush's questions, Bush got a retort nearly every time. The timing seemed inconsistent.
2) "Litany" and "Comprehensive" were W's words of the night.
3) I didn't really hear anything from either other than stump rhetoric. The 2 minute answers just don't allow time for an honest thorough answer.
1) The moderator was horrible. The questions were too vague, and on at least two examples weren't really questions at all. The vagueness allowed both participants to wander from the intended subject. On several Kerry questions, Kerry didn't get a retort on Bush's statements; on Bush's questions, Bush got a retort nearly every time. The timing seemed inconsistent.
2) "Litany" and "Comprehensive" were W's words of the night.
3) I didn't really hear anything from either other than stump rhetoric. The 2 minute answers just don't allow time for an honest thorough answer.
I watched about 60 minutes of the speech after I posted last night and my impression was that it was pretty flat for both of the candidates. No real meat...both were playing it a bit on the safe side. I was hoping for one or both of them to step up to the plate and try and hit it out of the park...and instead they both went for base hits or just not getting out...











