Let's see how my debate predictions panned out.
Prediction 1: I'll call this one half credit. George W. Bush did do more than just parrot his talking points for 90 minutes, but I found a hefty dose of them mixed into the answers. For instance, at least 3 separate uses of "My opponent said he voted for the $87 Billion before he voted against it."
Prediction 2: I blew this one. Kerry kept his responses within the allotted time. The moderator did not have to cut off either candidate, and they definitely did not have to resort to the Buzzer of Doom.
Prediction 3: Final flip-flopper count: 12. We passed my prediction of 5 at the 35-minute mark, just over 1/3 of the way through the debate. The count includes things like the above voted-for-then-against snipes, and subtler jabs like references to not sending mixed messages.
Prediction 4: I'm not paying attention to the pundits who declare victory in these debates, but there was no projectile vomiting.
Prediction 5: Blew this one, too. Though a sizable chunk was recycled campaign material (more so, to my mind, on the Bush side than the Kerry side), we did get to hear the candidates actually addressing some critical issues and being allowed to explain their positions more clearly.
Other than that, I'm not getting into the post-debate analysis. These debates should not be about winning or losing, but about articulating policy and being able to more directly confront and address some of the mud that has been slung around. This is not a game of parchesi.
1 comment:
good performance by Kerry but not a great one! He could have knocked out bush. hopefully on tuesday edwards will knock out cheney!
Post a Comment