Anybody get the idea that Bush's debate prep was like a wedding rehearsal?

[Richardo]

You know how perfunctory those are:

Wedding Person: "You stand here, she stands there, priest says this, you do that, music up and you're outta there."

You: "Yeah yeah whatever. Is there an open bar at the rehearsal dinner?"

[Technowitch]

1. No actually

What I think happened is he simply wasn't prepared adequately to deal with tough questions, or to have his statements contradicted, or to withstand attacks without grimacing, sighing, or blinking incessantly.

I don't know if you noticed, but Shrubbie really had trouble sometimes filling the full two minutes or even 90 seconds allotted to him. He'd go on for about 20-30 seconds with his prepared talking points -- and then you couldn't help but see the moment when he ran out of steam. He'd pause, stammer, and start in on repeating himself until the time ran out. Towards the end of the debate, he was already quitting when the yellow light came on -- meaning as much as 15 seconds early.

You can bet that Rove and his people will be in panic-mode as of last night's debacle. They'll do their best to try to get a better performance out of their boy in the next debate -- assuming they don't withdraw entirely.

[Richardo]

6. Fox analyst on radio last night said the same thing: "ran out of steam"

...in the middle of his answers. I missed the live debate, but when I heard that from a Fox analyst, I knew it was a good night :D

[madaboutharry]

2. I think your right.

I think that Bush just can't take anything seriously. He can't concentrate long enough. I could swear there is something going on medically that the White House is covering up. That is my opinion.

[Mz Pip]

3. Bush went into this debate

cocky. I think he believed that he could get by just on his down home good ole boy likability factor. Big mistake.

I doubt he really practiced much, probably because he figured that he already knew everything since he'd been presidenting for 4 years. I suspect he will be much better prepared next time.

We shouldn't get cocky either.

MzPip
:dem:

[phantom power]

4. I think Bush really hasn't realized how well the press treats him

I'm not the first to point this out, but he really has surrounded himself with yes-men. In every aspect of his life: in his staff, his press corps, and his campaign. Four years of that, and he just plain started believing his own PR.

That's what makes him so damned dangerous. He really believes he's doing all the right things, and nobody tells him any differently.

[Sydnie]

7. I tend to agree with you.

He had sanitized audiences and when ever his talking points have been interrupted, he has frozen. Think about the convention. The first heckler sent him into total internal shock. He did not know what was going on nor what to do.

Last night was the same. Only this heckler he couldn't have dragged from the room and arrested. He is so used to crowds that have been screened and signed their oaths and will applaud at all the expected points. He couldn't get away with quips and insults last night and he was clearly outmatched. Even HE knew it shortly after the debate began.

[dogtag]

5. A person with nothing 'upstairs' can't possibly be prepped

for a 90 minute debate against a man rife with intelligence and knowledge of the subject matter. John Kerry has spent his entire life in public service while Shrub spent most of his as a wastrel. There simply isn't any depth to Shrub. Once the memorized stump lines are exhausted, there is nothing left. There's a limit to what even a master manipulator like Rove can pull off.