The first debate

Sorry... McCain.
I'm hungry... thinking about the McDonald's hamburger.

McCain's great. I wish he had won in 2000

anybody but Bush...

I actually feel stronger about Kerry after last night, I'm still not thrilled about him but he's the lesser of the two evils.

Kerry is the lesser of two evils, so I'd say he won hands down. I would have liked to have seen Kerry drill Bush on his relationship with the Bin Laden Family and why Osama Bin Laden's name was not mentioned one time by Bush in his Republican Convention speech. I think Bin Laden is off limits if youv'e seen Farenheit 911.

anybody but Bush...

I actually feel stronger about Kerry after last night, I'm still not thrilled about him but he's the lesser of the two evils.


To me, a life long republican, this seems to be the prevailing sentiment in the Democratic camp. Quite frankly, I am no huge fan of Bush (Dammit - the word is nu- clee -er), and if the Dems had a viable candidate I could be tempted to vote for him/her. This, however, does not appear to be the case to me.

Obviously, Kerry was the more polished debater and, I think, made his points more clearly. I agree that, when Bush was "on message", he sounded like a broken record ("Okay - they told me to say 'no mixed messages' whenever I can't think of anything to say"). I also think that when he actually was talking about his beliefs and "speaking from the heart", as it were, he was smoother and very clearly communicated his underlying convictions. However, these moments were fewer than I would have hoped.

While more polished, Kerry's entire Iraq position seems to be - "I would have disarmed Hussein but just in a better fashion. I also would have a better post-Iraq plan." As for foreign policy, it's the old global approval thing.

I started to write out my full response to Kerry's statements but realized it would take most of the day and just be waaaaaaaaay to long. So - as concisely as possible - why (as to foreign policy) I will not vote for Kerry: the USA can not and should not base it's actions on approval from the "global community". That is not to say we should act selfishly or with complete disregard to other nations, but that, ultimately, the decision as to what is in the best interests of the US must reside solely with the President. Our best interests should not be subject to a popularity contest, run up the flagpole or in any other way be determined by their approval by other nations. Despite his protestations that he will reserve the right to act preemptively - Kerry is clearly of the "only if you think its okay" school of foreign policy.

Well I could have gone on (in fact I did, I deleted 10 inches of text which was intended to be a more complete statement but which probably needed about another 10-20 inches to close all the loose ends. lol).

by the way:

GO SKINS! BEAT THE BROWNS!!!

just a reminder as to why we are all here. :food-smil

by the way:

GO SKINS! BEAT THE BROWNS!!!

just a reminder as to why we are all here. :food-smil

Amen JoeRedskin!

abstractly: isn't democracy essentially a popularity contest?

people>populace>popularity

I don't think either candidate "won" the debate last night but instead the undecided voters did. We finally got to see the 2 main candidates for the presidency argue over some of the key topics we've wanted to hear them talk about. sure some of each of their responses were just repeats from what they've been saying for the past few monthes but that's to be expected from politicians. Kerry had some good moments as did Bush but neither could or should be declared the winner when most of the questions asked have been asked and answered pretty much the same ways for quite a while. I think each candidates main weaknesses or mistakes were brought to the forefront a little more and now those voters who r undecided have a better understanding of the two major candidates but hopefully this won't be the last debate and the next one will involve more telling questions as well as a few more loaded questions.

As far as 3rd party candidates, I'd love for there to be a solid candidate with a reasonable chance for success because I think this country needs a leader who can think outside of his/her party's box and is honestly out for the nations best interest and not just part of it for money or popularity. I just don't really know if I'll see that in my lifetime.

by the way:

GO SKINS! BEAT THE BROWNS!!!

just a reminder as to why we are all here. :food-smil

PREACH ON!!!

:httr: