Faith vs. reason

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Of everything I have read analyzing the first debate, Sidney Blumenthal best captures the depths of what was revealed about Bush’s fear, inadequacy, unpreparedness and inflexibility when he has to think on his feet. He concludes:

“The greater his frustration in the debate, the more frequently he spoke of his difficulties in coping with “my job.” “In Iraq, no doubt about it, it’s tough. It’s hard work,” he said. Ten times he spoke of his “hard work”: listening to intelligence briefings, training Iraqi troops, talking to allies, having to comfort a bereaved mother whose son was killed in Iraq.

Finally, near the end, Kerry praised Bush for his public service, and his wife, and his daughters. “I’m trying to put a leash on them,” Bush said. That was hard work, too. “Well, I don’t know,” replied Kerry, who also has daughters. “I’ve learned not to do that, Mr. President.” Even in the banter about parental control, Kerry gained the upper hand.

But Bush lost more than control in the first debate. He lost the plot. ” (Salon )

Even forgeting about content, ‘Body language expert’ says Kerry “more presidential”:

“Patti Wood, an Atlanta-based consultant, told BBC News Online that Mr Kerry appeared more respectful and in control.

Mr Bush sounded arrogant and unable to control his emotions, especially in the latter part of the debate, she contends.

However, Ms Wood says, Mr Bush at times radiated warmth in a way that Mr Kerry could not emulate.” (BBC )

But Derrick Jackson thinks Kerry made one crucial mistake in the debate… and that it might end up costing him the election. (Boston Globe op-ed) And Conason cautionsthat, after the euphoria, “…Kerry and his advisors had better not get too cocky over their victory in the first debate.” (Salon) But, for the moment, let’s be cocky… and full of schadenfreude. Here, from the DNC, is a greatest-hits compilation of Bush’s smirks from the debate.