I’ll Tell You Wnat To Think About The Debate
Watched the debates. Got some thoughts:
- Josh Marshall and I had the same thought:
For the first ten minutes or so, my pained reaction was, “Where did we get these two guys?”
I agree with the rest of his post on this, too, though. Kerry settled down and looked very forceful and convincing, while Bush looked weak and fumbling. In the back of my mind, though, I kept thinking that neither candidate was reaching voters on the other side. Kerry might have picked up some undecideds, but I don’t think he turned any Bush supporters.
- I’m with Digby on this one:
Bush keeps saying that changing position on Iraq is a sign of weakness. But, anyone can understand that when things are hurtling out of control you should change direction. Bush is incapable of doing this because he has staked his presidency on a war he wanted to fight instead of the war we needed to fight.
What’s with this idea that being unwavering in your commitment means you don’t ever change your mind? Isn’t changing your mind in response to a changing situation what our military, sports, and business strategies are all inherently based on? I mean, if running backs followed this principle, Barry Sanders would’ve been a lousy running back. A ball carrier shifts, shuffles, and jukes in order to stay one step ahead of his opponents. A fighter pilot changes speed and direction in order to elude an enemy. A business might change marketing or product delivery in response to new information about what their customers want. If any of them were as bullheadedly stubborn in pursuing their initial strategy as this administration has been, they’d be dead – either literally or figuratively. Can’t Bush’s supporters see that?
- A member of the Bush campaign—yes, that’s the Bush campaign, not the Bush administration—apparently helped Iyad Allawi write the speech he delivered before Congress a couple of days ago. (Washington Post, via Talking Points Memo.)
- Perhaps this is the reason why Kerry forgot to list Poland as part of our Iraq coalition. (DeLong)
Thursday, September 30th, 2004 @ 8:54 pm 
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October 2nd, 2004 at 10:10 pm
For the first ten minutes or so, my pained reaction was, “Where did we get these two guys?”
Hah! That made me laugh out loud. Not what I was expecting. I agree, I’ve had similar thoughts during nearly every presidential debate I can remember. Us Bush supporters learned a long time ago we just have to get used to cringing when our man tries to riff.
What’s with this idea that being unwavering in your commitment means you don’t ever change your mind? Isn’t changing your mind in response to a changing situation what our military, sports, and business strategies are all inherently based on?
You’re exactly right. And yes, we conservatives do recognize that. I think the disagreement is on when the strategy needs to be changed; I think it hasn’t had time to succeed yet, and I believe you probably feel it never had a shot. But you make a good point about changing strategy, and I agree on the principle – just not this particular case.
Thanks for coming by the other day, BTW, and offering your thoughts. I’m starting to think I have the best liberal commentors in the right-side blogosphere. Take care.