They're Both Losing…

It's already clear this debate isn't going to be the political equivalent of Ali-Frazier III, but I'm getting a sense that both of these guys will emerge from this as losers. Which somehow seems apt…

Comments

[iconoclast]

I can't watch anymore. This thing is horrible. Bush is a stumble, bum that doesn't debate well. Kerry debates well, but is presenting horrible ideas that sound great.

Idiots. A pox on both houses.

[anonymous]

Why the heck was "do you think homosexuality is chosen" a question?

[iconoclast]

all I know is that we are all god's children.

[Tim Higgins]

There's no more elegant way to put this - so far, these questions suck.

[Mike]

This is the best showing for Bush yet...and if with such low expectations for him, he's looking good.

On another note, I liked his brief rhetorical spiel about "It's YOUR money..."

[Pseudo]

Kerry just called the Constitution "unbelievable."
Literally?

[Mike]

This is the best showing for Bush yet...and if with such low expectations for him, he's looking good.

On another note, I liked his brief rhetorical spiel about "It's YOUR money..."

[Anonymous]

These terrible questions make the debate more interesting, given how ridiculous they are. It's interesting to watch the candidates (and the loyal party supporters sitting in my college's student union) squirm. That said, the questions are still regrettably terrible.

[Mike]

Bush's rhetoric on consumer choice in health care doesn't sound so bad...

[Anonymous]

These terrible questions make the debate more interesting, given how ridiculous they are. It's interesting to watch the candidates (and the loyal party supporters sitting in my college's student union) squirm. That said, the questions are still regrettably terrible.

[Anonymous]

These terrible questions make the debate more interesting, given how ridiculous they are. It's interesting to watch the candidates (and the loyal party supporters sitting in my college's student union) squirm. That said, the questions are still regrettably terrible.

[EZE]

Agree...now if only he fought harder for aggressive tax reform across the board rather than preferential tax treatment for xyz. Having said that, Bush is clearly better on tax policy. Of course, you can't beat Badnarik on tax policy.

[edyrico69]

you know what chaps my hide is that Kerry does not say what our tax dollars go to and why raising taxes would be ok for social services... come on Kerry kick him in the nuts...

[iconoclast]

Kerry's healthplan is horrifying.

[TexasMan]

Has this guy really been our President for four years? He didn't seem so bad in Texas. God, I hope all the other countries are watching the ball game. He's so embarassing.

[JoJo]

Are they going to start putting subtitles under Kerry??? What the hell is he talking about and in which of his wife's languages??

[iconoclast]

Kerry's healthplan is horrifying.

Bush isn't doing a bad job hammering at him.

But then again, it's because I agree with what he says (though not what he does) that I think he is winning.

[JoJo]

Are they going to start putting subtitles under Kerry??? What the hell is he talking about and in which of his wife's languages??

[Nelson]

I'm watching the debate in a bar with Wi-Fi and the Democrats look a tad depressed. The Republicans are still talking about the "Do you think homosexuality is a choice" question?

[JoJo]

Are they going to start putting subtitles under Kerry??? What the hell is he talking about and in which of his wife's languages??

[Ben]

Letting me take charge of my own retirement a disaster? He must think I'm a moron.

[jeffro]

Did anyone notice bush's smile when Kerry said "when" I become president? Classic.

[Darth]

Why is privitization of Social Security bad?

[Darth]

Why is privitization of Social Security bad?

[Darth]

Why is privitization of Social Security bad?

[ckent]

cuz they'll take your money and run with it far far away!

[EZE]

Kerry's response to the Greenspan question is wretched...I'm not crazy about forced investment but it is clearly better than increasing taxes to pay for someone else's savings.

[EZE]

Kerry's response to the Greenspan question is wretched...I'm not crazy about forced investment but it is clearly better than increasing taxes to pay for someone else's savings.

[EZE]

Kerry's response to the Greenspan question is wretched...I'm not crazy about forced investment but it is clearly better than increasing taxes to pay for someone else's savings.

[Nick Dubaz]

Not immigration...I hate this issue... Immigration is great for our country and its economy, but its so hard for any politician to talk about it. They never explain why it's a real problem, particuarly from Mexico. Will someone talk about eliminating H1B quotas? Why are we rejecting the world's best and brightest? Now he's talking about raising the minimum wage? Why does Kerry hate jobs and workers?

[EZE]

Kerry's response to the Greenspan question is wretched...I'm not crazy about forced investment but it is clearly better than increasing taxes to pay for someone else's savings.

[darth]

Kerry, Why not raise the mininum wage to $100.00 an hour and really increase consumption?

[iconoclast]

eeek. bloody minimum wage. When does it stop? They're both for it? asses.

[EZE]

Kerry's response to the Greenspan question is wretched...I'm not crazy about forced investment but it is clearly better than increasing taxes to pay for someone else's savings.

[Jeremy Lott]

>I'm getting a sense that both of these guys will >emerge from this as losers.

Don't see how. They're battling for votes and tonight will help sway either more people to vote for Bush (in which case, Bush wins) or Kerry (in which case...). If the debate manages to crank up the third party vote, you might have a point, but somehow I don't see it happening.

[Darth]

a draft? why not mandatory public service for everybody from 19-21 that can be served in one own community?

[EZE]

Kerry's response to the Greenspan question is wretched...I'm not crazy about forced investment but it is clearly better than increasing taxes to pay for someone else's savings.

[Tim Higgins]

I feel stupider for having watched that. Flu vaccine? Talk about your wife? Yeesh.

[Curtis]

I wasn't crazy about the questions, but I think Bush actually won this time. Kerry's performance was his worst of the 3 and Bush's his best.

[stop it, please]

eeek. bloody multiple posts. When does it stop? You're all doing it! asses.

[joe]

For more than the other two debates, the peception of who won this debate will be driver by the viewer's political orientation. The first debate was about "looking presidential" - advantage Kerry, big time. The second was about being able to answer questions from ordinary people - pretty much even, maybe a slight advantage to Kerry on style. But this is about whose policy ideas you like better. Kerry was, again, a better speaker and creates a better impression as a responsible president, but that's going to be secondary in people's perceptions.