Two pieces of (sort of) bad news have preceded today's debate, as far as Pres Bush is concerned.
The first is the the long-awaited report, authored by Charles Duelfer, who advises the director of central intelligence on Iraqi weapons, which says Iraq's WMD program was essentially destroyed in 1991 and Saddam ended Iraq's nuclear program after the 1991 Gulf War.
The second is the unemployment report -- the last to be released before Election Day -- which says that while the unemployment held steady at 5.4 percent but job creation was lower than expected.
Both candidates will be spinning the same reports for their own gains. No one expected these debates to sway many voters, but the poll shifts after the first debate, and Bush's clear bad performance has changed the dynamics for the remaining two. It will be interesting to see how the 'Town Hall' format works for both Bush and Kerry.
ps. Some parts of the post, borrow sentences from CNN's website.
Yeah but today's debate will focus on domestic issues. I hope they don't discuss iraq at all. I don't care about Iraq. What hits me home is how they tackle the issues domestically.
Did any one notice that for the first time after Republican’s convention, Kerry has attained a slim lead over Bush…Not that this lead is of any significant importance, but it clearly indicates the importance of these debates. Not to mention that Kerry was almost 10 points behind Bush before the first debate. Today’s debate should be interesting as the topics to be discussed during the second debate are unlimited depending upon the moderator’s choice.
I've heard the same thing FG, that Dubya plans on attacking Kerry more Bush hasn't a strong plan himself.
Bush who has held "town meetings" the last couple of months on the campaigned trail has received a positive grade for his performance at them, the thing is that all the 'town meetings' Bush held have been with a room full of staunch Bush supporters who were forced to sign a pro-Bush pledge card before being allowed in. This time around there are no pledge cards and while it's unlikely that there will be any extremely anti-Bush participates in tonight's event (Attendees are undecided voters) Bush's small jibs about Kerry and dumb jokes aren't likely to go over well with the crowd. These people are going to want straight answers, not excuses or ramblings on about how "it's hard work". The winner of tonight's debate will have to be clear and straight, concise but not complicated, and in tune and connected with the audience. The audiance in tonights debate surrounds the canidates so no hiding behind the podium or making silly faces.
The debate being on a Friday night and going against a baseball playoff game means a smaller audiance which means there will be even more post spin from both sides.
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*Originally posted by Faisal: *
No one expected these debates to sway many voters, but the poll shifts after the first debate, and Bush's clear bad performance has changed the dynamics for the remaining two. It will be interesting to see how the 'Town Hall' format works for both Bush and Kerry.
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well the tangible effect of presidential debates are notoriously dependant on prior expectations moreso than the standard "winner and loser".
one of the huge reasons Bush was hurt by the first debate was the fact that he greatly exceeded the expectations for him during the debates with Gore...so the expectation was that he would do just as well against Kerry. obviously, that wasn't the case.
now, people will expect Kerry to win overwhelmingly in this 2nd debate due to his good performance in the first. chances are, Kerry won't be a decisive winner (even if he does win)....which still hurts him.
lol, its such a crazy situation. tonight's debate is probably pretty irrelevant. however, the 3rd debate will be very important....and i have a feeling Kerry will destroy Bush (the topic is domestic issues).
2nd debate just started. It’s a shame to call it a debate. It looks more like a town Hall meeting. Man Bush is pumped up. Looking really aggressive. He must be still pissed off from the last debate.
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*Originally posted by Agent Smith: *
2nd debate just started. It’s a shame to call it a debate. It looks more like a town Hall meeting. Man Bush is pumped up. Looking really aggressive. He must be still pissed off from the last debate.
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It was supposed to be Town Hall meeting.
Just now Kerry Hit a Chakka on Bush's full toss. Bush accused that UN saction was not working. Kerry said just yesterday Doffler report said there was no WMD,Obviously UN plan was working. ;)
I know that it supposed to be a town hall like debate, but it is making Bush jumping up and down like a monkey. Bush needs to calm down. It looks like he is going to have a panic attack. He is over reacting. Using hands unnecessarily.
