I watched the debates with a bunch of local Democrats at a local pub. I sat with my friend and fellow precinct captain Mike and some of his friends, including one lone Republican, who had a great attitude about the whole thing (and I gather no great love for GWB, like so many of his party).
I've never had so much fun watching a political debate! Now, there are many games you can play while watching a debate. For instance, there's the classic
Debate Bingo (a friend's husband won on 'Nucular'). However, at the pub where we were watching, we made ourselves a little
drinking game. After about 10 minutes, it was clear what the phrases of the night were going to be. We drank (them: beer, me: club soda -- damn this head cold!) to the following:
GWB: "it's hard work" (yeah, Shrub, so why don't you take a break!)
JK: "90% of the casualties, 90% of the cost" (a phrase I don't mind being repeated, as I don't think anyone's been listening)
GWB: "mixed messages" (or, rather, "mexed missages" - yegods!)
JK: "I have a plan..."
Yes, my debate-watchin' buddies got well and trule snockered on that one.
Before you think I don't take these things seriously, I did make a number of notes throughout the debate. I thought the President made one or two good points, but overall I don't think he backed up his position, and he made some crucial mistakes ("Look, they attacked us"). It's been his unswerving certainty that he is right that has gotten him a lot of support. I'd call it
mindless support in light of the facts, but folks don't, by and large, want to hear facts. I'm a librarian, I know. They want answers, but not facts, and yes there's a difference.
Kerry's most important point, which I'm afraid might have been lost in the post-debate Republican spin, was that
certain doesn't mean right. And that certainty is important in leadership, but putting on blinders and disavowing any subsequent facts which contradict your position is NOT leadership. I found an
interesting piece from
The Barre Montpelier Times Argus that summed some of this up nicely:
Kerry noted that certainty of convictions was a valuable quality but that it was also important to be open to the facts. Otherwise, certainty could lead to disaster. Bush is resolved to carry on the "hard work" in Iraq. Kerry sought to convey to the American people that he would not only do the hard work; he would also chart a wiser course.
If analysis of the debate goes beyond the issues and extends to how the two candidates performed, then there is likely to be comment on Bush's bizarre demeanor. Frequently, as Kerry was talking, the camera showed Bush with a peculiar caught-in-the-headlights look, displaying a kind of bewilderment, which was heightened by his groping answers to many questions.
After a shaky beginning, Kerry came across as intelligent, articulate and statesmanlike. He seemed like the grownup. During the course of the debate Bush's tone grew increasingly testy, whiny and defensive. Kerry grew firmer in conviction.
The post-debate spin is getting ugly. We'll have to see how this plays out. Three more to go, including the Veep Debate. That one I'm buying popcorn for!
