Debate II, a not even close to fair and balanced review
I'm enjoying this debate a heck of a lot more than the last one. Both candidates are much more animated, especially Kerry. He came out really strong to start tonight and has kept that intensity up all evening. At times I feared he was coming on too strong - I remember all too well how Gore got creamed for being too aggressive in his first debate.
The first chunk on foreign policy contained some good questions, true debate and some seriously weak-kneed comebacks by Bush. Fact is, he can no longer justify our activity in Iraq especially in light of the revelations that there were no WMDs and no capacity to produce them. If we are "the great liberator," then we should expect unquestioned wars in Iran and North Korea as well. Mr. Bush did again offer up the Axis of Evil and held to his now somewhat altered claim that Saddam would provide knowledge and support to those who would acquire and use WMDs against us. I should have taken notes...this was a good back and forth with good answers by both.
* Anyone notice how frequently Bush blinks, even when he's not the one being questioned?
Domestic got interesting...Kerry got called out on spending vs. tax policy and somehow made a promise to not increase my (income < $200k/yr) taxes in his first term. I don't buy it; fact is i'd rather kick in a few extra bucks for education so i'm not supporting a welfare case. I'd rather kick in a few extra bucks so our troops are paid closer to their due. I'd rather kick in a few extra bucks so our transportation infrastructure is well maintained. I'd rather NOT kick in a few extra bucks to go to war wherever Bush and pals decide to take us. I'd rather NOT mortgage my childrens' future to pay for the wrong tax cut AND increased spending on the PATRIOT act and a false sense of security today. Actually, i'd rather not spend another $400,000/yr. to have Bush in office anymore. He's wrong on tax policy, social policy, environmental policy.... One note on environmental policy: Clear Skies came up. Bush claims the air has never been cleaner - that's because "Clear Skies" hasn't been enacted for most of his term! Clear Skies is a misnomer - it WEAKENS 70s era environmental protection laws. And here he is trumpeting it as if it's a good thing. More Bushit.
Kerry was questioned about tax dollars being spent to finance abortions. he answered, tactfully and carefully, but clearly. Partial birth abortions were commented on as well with Bush hitting him for not voting on the PBA ban in the senate. Kerry didn't support it because there were no exceptions for cases where the life of the mother was at stake. Bush came back with a "you're with us or against us" kind of response - over simplification of a complex and very sensitive issue.
I'm amazed that Kerry (or anyone else for that matter) hasn't slugged him for being so obtuse.
The last question: Name 3 mistakes you've made during your presidency. Did you really think he was going to answer that? Maybe you intended for him to give a non-answer that would say so much more. If so, thank you!
Final thought:
The world is not black and white. Once the people in the red states realize this and subsequently realize that Mr. Bush has attempted to govern as if it is so, we'll see a shift back towards true global leadership and away from neconservative oversimplification. It can't happen soon enough.
The first chunk on foreign policy contained some good questions, true debate and some seriously weak-kneed comebacks by Bush. Fact is, he can no longer justify our activity in Iraq especially in light of the revelations that there were no WMDs and no capacity to produce them. If we are "the great liberator," then we should expect unquestioned wars in Iran and North Korea as well. Mr. Bush did again offer up the Axis of Evil and held to his now somewhat altered claim that Saddam would provide knowledge and support to those who would acquire and use WMDs against us. I should have taken notes...this was a good back and forth with good answers by both.
* Anyone notice how frequently Bush blinks, even when he's not the one being questioned?
Domestic got interesting...Kerry got called out on spending vs. tax policy and somehow made a promise to not increase my (income < $200k/yr) taxes in his first term. I don't buy it; fact is i'd rather kick in a few extra bucks for education so i'm not supporting a welfare case. I'd rather kick in a few extra bucks so our troops are paid closer to their due. I'd rather kick in a few extra bucks so our transportation infrastructure is well maintained. I'd rather NOT kick in a few extra bucks to go to war wherever Bush and pals decide to take us. I'd rather NOT mortgage my childrens' future to pay for the wrong tax cut AND increased spending on the PATRIOT act and a false sense of security today. Actually, i'd rather not spend another $400,000/yr. to have Bush in office anymore. He's wrong on tax policy, social policy, environmental policy.... One note on environmental policy: Clear Skies came up. Bush claims the air has never been cleaner - that's because "Clear Skies" hasn't been enacted for most of his term! Clear Skies is a misnomer - it WEAKENS 70s era environmental protection laws. And here he is trumpeting it as if it's a good thing. More Bushit.
Kerry was questioned about tax dollars being spent to finance abortions. he answered, tactfully and carefully, but clearly. Partial birth abortions were commented on as well with Bush hitting him for not voting on the PBA ban in the senate. Kerry didn't support it because there were no exceptions for cases where the life of the mother was at stake. Bush came back with a "you're with us or against us" kind of response - over simplification of a complex and very sensitive issue.
I'm amazed that Kerry (or anyone else for that matter) hasn't slugged him for being so obtuse.
The last question: Name 3 mistakes you've made during your presidency. Did you really think he was going to answer that? Maybe you intended for him to give a non-answer that would say so much more. If so, thank you!
Final thought:
The world is not black and white. Once the people in the red states realize this and subsequently realize that Mr. Bush has attempted to govern as if it is so, we'll see a shift back towards true global leadership and away from neconservative oversimplification. It can't happen soon enough.