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Political |
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Sixty-seven
million Americans watched President George Bush and Senator John Kerry
debate foreign issues last week. Since that time both the
Republican and the Democratic Party are claiming victory. With all
of the spin doctoring from both parties, we are still left with the
question: who won the debate? After
the debate, the Bush campaign found itself on the defensive. Karl
Rove, the President's chief political adviser, who normally avoids the
press, came out of the “closet.” Mr. Rove, in deflecting arguments
that the President appeared irritated, argued the president was focused
during the debate. Mr. Rove, according to a report from the New
York Times this weekend, stated “that wasn’t irritated…I know
irritated.” However,
many Republicans conceded Mr. Kerry had the upper hand. According
to the same New York Times report, Rep. Peter D. King (R) of New York
said, "people…thought Kerry was going to get knocked out of the
box…but he’s still in there." Rep. King further stated
"I was never one who thought this was going to be an easy
race..." The
Times further reports that a senior republican strategist, speaking on
condition of anonymity, said "part of Bush's strength is in his
simplicity, but in that forum, it became shallowness. That was a
high-minded debate and there was a lot more depth to Kerry in his points
than in Bush." Senator
John McCain (R) also commented on the Kerry/Bush debate. The New
York Times reports Senator McCain stated "he presented himself
well, John did. Kerry came out slugging. In the last six
weeks, it was probably his brightest moment." After
watching the debate, it is obvious that John Kerry had the upper hand.
Mr. Kerry, surprisingly, came out of this debate as a clear, concise,
and motivated candidate. Prior to the debate, people were
thinking, including some Democrats, the Kerry campaign was sliding into
oblivion. Although many polls show the race a dead heat, people
thought Kerry lacked direction; that he failed to define himself as a
candidate. Until he debated Bush, Kerry was thought to be losing this
race The
President enjoys a folksy style that appeals to voters, reiterating the
same "canned" message over and over again. The President has
effectively stayed on message, using his message to convince voters he
is a decisive leader who must remain in command. During this debate, the
President’s canned message lacked substance; the message was simple,
and repetitive. Bush appeared shallow and uninformed; relying on the
“rally around the flag” strategy. John
Kerry showed he has the ability to campaign hard, with an ability to
concisely discuss the issues with the American public. Based upon
the President's reaction during the debate, Mr. Kerry’s performance
was unexpected. The
Republicans are right; John Kerry has the upper hand because his
performance in this debate. If you think the President did well, just
think about how those outside the campaign are reacting, what the
Republicans are saying about their candidate… Many
Republicans believe “part of Bush's strength is in his
simplicity…” However, during this debate, Bush’s simplicity
“became shallowness.” It is Mr. Bush shallowness that caused
him to lose this round. Now
for round 2. Stuart
James |
