Bush lost the first debate

Bush looked confused. He often fumbled. At one point he confused Saddam Hussein with Osama bin Laden. Here is the transcript.

Here are a few things. First of all, Bush told a blatant lie:

I was hoping diplomacy would work. I understand the serious consequences of committing our troops into harm's way.

It's the hardest decision a president makes. So I went to the United Nations. I didn't need anybody to tell me to go to the United Nations. I decided to go there myself.

And I went there hoping that, once and for all, the free world would act in concert to get Saddam Hussein to listen to our demands. They passed the resolution that said, "Disclose, disarm, or face serious consequences." I believe, when an international body speaks, it must mean what it says.

Saddam Hussein had no intention of disarming. Why should he? He had 16 other resolutions and nothing took place. As a matter of fact, my opponent talks about inspectors. The facts are that he was systematically deceiving the inspectors.

That wasn't going to work. That's kind of a pre-September 10th mentality, the hope that somehow resolutions and failed inspections would make this world a more peaceful place.

Well, I suppose this might be technically true, that Saddam had no intention of disarming. But it seems, at least in normal usage, in order to disarm, one has to be armed in the first place. And Saddam was not armed.

Secondly, Bush seemed to have realized the negativity of his campaign doesn't play well with the American public. He was asked:

LEHRER: New question, Mr. President, two minutes.

Do you believe the election of Senator Kerry on November the 2nd would increase the chances of the U.S. being hit by another 9/11-type terrorist attack?

and didn't answer the question, instead saying:

BUSH: No, I don't believe it's going to happen. I believe I'm going to win, because the American people know I know how to lead. I've shown the American people I know how to lead.

I have -- I understand everybody in this country doesn't agree with the decisions I've made. And I made some tough decisions. But people know where I stand.

People out there listening know what I believe. And that's how best it is to keep the peace.

This nation of ours has got a solemn duty to defeat this ideology of hate. And that's what they are. This is a group of killers who will not only kill here, but kill children in Russia, that'll attack unmercifully in Iraq, hoping to shake our will.

We have a duty to defeat this enemy. We have a duty to protect our children and grandchildren.

Bush used the phrase "mixed messages" or "mixed signals" 9 times. He used some variation on the phrase "it's hard work" 11 times. And he pronounced King Jong Il's name at least 4 different ways.

There were several times that Bush asked for 30 seconds to rebut Kerry's rebuttal, and ran out of things to say. He often looked annoyed and impatient with Kerry's answers. I think he even rolled his eyes.

More later.

-- Michael

Comments

[Alina]

Neat analysis. Very thorough.

[d meyers]

I just turned to PBS and Jim Lehrer is still asking questions about Iraq... I know that is the major issue but it seemed like 1 hour on Iraq was a bit long...

saying Sadaam had nothing to disarm is a very weak argument. Kerry is not going to win saying Sadaam didn't have WMD's because there are mass graves filled with gassed Iraqi's.

Did most everyone believe he had WMDs? Of course. Did we find stockpiles? NO. Where did they go?? I sure would like to know.

Was there any gaffes tonight?? I didn't see any... I don't think the debate swayed many people. Kerry people liked what they saw, Bush people liked what they saw...

Since we are a sound bite world what was the best 10 word or less sound bite to come out?

In my mind Kerry blew it by saying "Global Test" and Bush responded to that perfectly.

Kerry through out lots and lots of acusations that I believe bloggers across the country will find many factual errors in but I don't think they are the whopper errors like Al Gore had.

[d meyers]

oops.... through--->threw

[d meyers]

I think Lehrer asked relatively tough questions to Bush but nothing tough to Kerry... Since the debate was about foregin policy how about a question to Kerry about his stances with regards to defense and foregin policy over the past 20 years as a Senator? How about a question if his vote was wrong in 1991 against the 1st Iraq War?

I know GW is the Pres so he will get pressed but how about a question or two on Kerry's time in the Senate?

[d meyers]

in the end, I think 90 minutes is too long. How about for Domestic policy debate have each side submit 3 general topics (taxes, budget, health care, social security, education, etc) and spend 10-12 minutes on each with plenty of back and forth.

[here's what's left]

too long? i don't think so. i do wish they had covered more different topics though. it was really 60-70% iraq, and i think there are other important things to talk about.

also, i have to say, i was disappointed that kerry didn't get the flip-flopper question.

and while you're right that kerry could have gotten questions about his voting record, bush could have gotten some tougher questions about things in the past that were untrue.