Watch Bush debate Gore right now on C-Span!

[Leilani]

Tune in & watch the master debater!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. B*sh really has deteriorated.

He was never a rocket scientist, but in 2000 he was at least somewhat coherent. Now he sounds downright retarded or drugged. Something has definitely happened to him.

[Leilani]

2. It is the weight of the presidency

resting heavily on his shoulders...

or bad drugs...

or a nervous breakdown...

[spotbird]

10. I just used the word coherent in another thread.

But it is the perfect word. He don't seem like today's Chimp at all.

[Awsi Dooger]

43. Bush will be able to fake it for 3 nights

I expect Bush to be better next Thursday than he was four years ago, just as his convention speech was far superior to the one he gave in 2000. Kerry needs to understand that, and not prepare for a stumbling goof like the one we've heard so often lately.

Debates like these are elongated recitals of prepared campaign themes. Bush is still able to memorize 30 seconds to a couple of minutes and spit out most of the words as intended.

[DeaconBlues]

3. Can't do it - too depressing

All that talk about how to make things even better and arguments about how to spend all that surplus just make me angry and sad. That, and the fact that Bush destroyed that optimistic world and he still has a good chance to win. Aaaarrrrrggghhh!!!

[Leilani]

6. But its a good chance to see why Shrub

supposedly won.

We can learn from this, as painful as it is.

[DeaconBlues]

13. I know, I know

but I have the excuse that I am not on Kerry's debate team. So, I'll skip it and give my blood pressure a break.

[LeinesRed]

4. god, Gore was so competent!

[LeinesRed]

5. was this the first one?

I'm thinking so...

[Leilani]

8. Yes, first one

I think they will all be run.

[Alpharetta]

7. Damn, Bush is a good liar

The whole "work with both Republicans and Democrats" thing.

[AlCzervik]

9. does he mention Jesus in this one?

i can't remember and i'm not up for hearing that tonight.

[Vincardog]

11. Notice how the shrub didn't want to scare the voters then?

[AlCzervik]

12. "By far the vast majority" blah blah blah

i'm so fing sick of hearing him say that.

[Leilani]

14. Kerry needs to not get caught in nitpicky details

Shrub is doing the BIG IMPRESSION!

no fuzzy math.

[AlCzervik]

agreed, Kerry hopefully will be quick and punchy

[private_ryan]

15. Gore blew it IMO

too impatient and kept cutting el chimpo off. Didn't look good. Kerry better learn and get ready for Bush insults

[Leilani]

16. Exactly!

This is really informative.

Gore knows a lot more, but is acting preachy & like a big know-it-all.

[Awsi Dooger]

22. I've watched this so often and want to scream at Al Gore

Just keep your damn mouth shut and wait your turn when the idiot is on camera!!

Gore could have wrapped up the presidency with a performance as respectful as it was factual and astute. He was ahead in the polls and Bush had a horrendous September. I have the 2000 debates on tape and have reviewed them all year.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Gore's mahogany warpaint.

[Leilani]

24. It really is very revealing

Lets hope Kerry has the tapes, & is watching them.

[Robert Oak]

33. Gore made the same mistake I did

Anybody with half a brain knows B**h is an idiot, lying and evil..

I would never guess that anyone in their right mind would vote for him..

Gore's disgust shows in all of the debates and people are reacting
to his disgust at this moron and it made Gore lose the debates.

I hope Kerry doesn't show his disgust at Bush .

[private_ryan]

37. holy cow

I expected to get slammed for it...glad people agree.

[burned]

17. wow

This Bush is not the same Bush I've seen on my TV. Im not even listening so much to what he's saying, just how he's saying it and how he's not stumbling over words or ideas or inventing new words out of ones that don't fit into his brain anymore.

A comparison between this debate and the way he speaks today should scare the crap out of any Bush supporter.

[Sydnie]

20. But he's still using that head bobbing laugh! n/t

[kentuck]

18. Bush is aggressive and ready to hurl insults at every opportunity

And he will be the same against Kerry. Kerry needs to be ready to counterpunch.

[Leilani]

19. no nation building

& an exit strategy.

[Sydnie]

21. Both things that his actions have proven his statements to be a lie n/t

[high density]

23. Bush: No nation building with the military

I'm so glad he kept that promise.

[Sydnie]

25. He has liberated the working people alright

right out of their jobs, homes and insurance!

Why the hell does he keep talking about the taxpayers in Massachusetts?

[Leilani]

28. Because the debate was in Boston.

[Gloria]

26. Tuned in to see Chimp talking about using diplomacy, not force ...

I think in Kosovo.

I puked, then turned the channel to watch Davey Jones singing on The Brady Bunch....I can't believe I admitted that....

[Robert Oak]

27. See Moderator as biased

Bush is blatantly lying on his "tax cuts"

and one thing I"d like to see are some moderators who actually
do some "fact checking".

Bush is given more time to blatantly lie in the Camera and it's
given validity...

It's seems to be just a "Mr. America" contest and content doesn't matter at all.

Horrible.

[Sydnie]

31. Then Gore is the true Mr. America - he did win the popular vote n/t

[JI7]

52. i didn't like the way he moderated either

but i assume a lot of it had to do with the rules the commission on debates came up with. bush likes debates with a lot of restrictions. when gore challenged bush in the 3rd debate and bush said lets move on gore answered by saying something about how that response tells a lot and bush responded by saying it's the rules. how shitty is that.

kerry has said his problem with the debates this time was the restrictions also. many people talked about the issue of whether they would stand or sit and kerry said he didn't care about that, but he wanted more freedom in when they can speak .

[Awsi Dooger]

29. Is this the first debate or second?

I'm watching college football. If they are standing, it is the first debate. But the comments about nation building and using the military make me believe it is the second debate, with both seated and Gore sickeningly passive after the sighs in debate one.

If it's the second debate, the foreign policy debate, that was by far Bush's best performance and Gore neglected to wear his warpaint.

[Leilani]

30. It is the first debate

in Boston.

[Thrill]

32. Best Advice for Kerry

Use these phrases often

"AGAIN he's so out of touch" and "He's living in a fantasy world"


OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN

[Sydnie]

34. And remind him that "four years ago you ran with this promise"

Fill in the blank -

Medicare prescriptions that would be available right away for one.

Bush is using "fuzzy math" with the 5 trillion that he wanted to give back in the tax cuts, but he ended up spending twice that.


Lots of other things that Kerry can point out here too.

[Nancy Waterman]

36. Also advise Kerry - short sentences no compound sentences.

And very sharp phrasing that packs a punch. He has done a lot of that lately. Nothing too complicated. Just simple clear expose of how Bush has ruined us and how Kerry believes we should pay for what we spend, not put our children and grandchildren in debt, and not go to war based on a fantasy pipedream but only if we are truly threatened.

And I agree, keep repeating Bush is not in reality: about the war, the economy, the environment, the deficit, everything.

[Awsi Dooger]

38. Absolutely essential: memorable and decisive short sound bytes

That is what the newscasts and analysis programs will lead off with, and how the winner will be judged by people who did not see the debate. And even by many who did.

Kerry should have those prepared now, and don't be afraid to abuse the best ones, repeated even during responses to unrelated questions. One quick sentence with 7 words or less, preferably no more than 5.

Blunt words. Humor, if possible. At least one phrase that defines your plans and one that criticizes Bush.

[speedoo]

45. Wow, Gore was way too preachy.

His style was terrible. Sincere, but totally ineffective.

[Leilani]

35. Bush is showing the advantage of a challenger

you can criticize all the mistakes made, which Kerry will be able to do.

And Bush didn t have much to criticize, but he exaggerated it.

[mconvente]

39. unbelievable

"Unlike my candidate's position, I feel that we shouldn't go to war to be nation builders"

How fucking crooked is that! And I'll agree with holding schools up to higher standards... as long as you fund the damn program! Bush is such a whore.

[Skip Intro]

40. OMG! - * talking about "responsibility" and "the buck stops here"

as a weapon against Gore!

Un friggin believeable!

what a f**king hypocritical (murderous) moron.

FUCK YOU BUSH.

[Minimus]

41. I know !!

everything he is saying is exact opposite of his last four years. every voter should watch these old debates.

[speedoo]

44. Lawdy... there is a TON of material here that Kerry can use vs. the coWard

"A rethug president who will reach out across the aisles.."

"I don't want to be the world's policeman.... I want to rebuild our military."

Hundreds, maybe thousands of promises broken by the coWard.

[Skip Intro]

47. Kerry should use these old debate statements by * in ads

what he said then, vs. what he's done up to now

And maybe, in response to the "windsurfing" spot, the ads could end w/ the * falling off his bike....

[Minimus]

42. "an attorney general that upholds the law"

aarrghh!!

[IronLionZion]

46. Gore's daughters are hot

[JI7]

48. great thread

i didn't watch it on cspan today because i just can't stand looking at and listening to bush. but i did watch the debates in 2000 and what some of you are saying is something i do remember. i think i was frustrated also watching it.gore easily has more knowledge and substance but the people who end up voting based on the debates most likely don't vote on issues anyways. so perception is a big thing.

some things kerry needs to do is try to come up with as many questions as they think will be asked. and figure out a way to give an answer that is as short as can be, but with substance. also the way he answers will matter . be strong and confident when giving the answer. get out the perception that he knows what he is talking about. that he is someone who can and will get something done.

as to bush, he should be as respectful as can be. don't treat him as a joke. but treat him as a president who should be held accountable. be strong in his criticism of bush and stick to it. but don't do it in a way which comes off as a personal attack. do it in a way so it comes off as legitimate criticism . the people should come away with the sense that bush HAS failed rather than a sense that kerry was pushy and mean which i think was the case with al gore.

[faithnotgreed]

50. right. and kerry already started by saying that bush is good

at debating. so thats point one. let it be known that he is going in, respecting his opponent.

also agree that he should be strong but not condescending. but then i think kerry is going to do an awesome job.

he will be strong, intelligent, concise (if you have seen his recent press conferences, he has been great) and respectful but not afraid of telling the truth

[Leilani]

51. It was really very informative..

I was rooting for Gore in 2000, so it colored my viewing.

This time I could watch it more strategically.

Gore made lots of mistakes, that I do not think Kerry will make.

Kerry has a more pleasant personality than Gore, but can also be tougher, I believe.

I felt more confident, after watching it.

[bush equals idiot]

49. What you're all forgetting......

He didn't have to defend the shittiest 4 year President record in history in that debate!

[AuntPatsy]

53. I cannot go through through that again, it took me months to

get over the media declaring Bush to be the winner over Gore, I was but a virgin to politics and after getting so screwed, the labor that followed was a hard one to bare...