October 09, 2004, 12:35 p.m.
@Town Hall
The post-game spin is only beginning.

By Robert Moran

President Bush brought his A game to a debate that he needed to do well in. This town-hall style appears to be Bush's strongest debate format, as he appears to be more relaxed and draw energy from the crowd. Kerry made some strong points, especially his statement that the American soldiers from Missouri, if they were a separate country, would be the third-largest contingent in Iraq. But, Bush landed some solid punches on Kerry's liberalism and questionable voting record.

Observations

1. More grist for the attack-ad mill.
Kerry made two statements that are almost guaranteed to be turned into 30-second spots. (1) His pathetic attempt to run away from his liberal record by saying that labels are meaningless. (2) His statement that he will not raise taxes on the middle class. First, I expect the Bush campaign to up the ideological contrast going into the final debate, and knocking down Kerry's lame obfuscation of his record is simply too easy. Additionally, I expect the Bush campaign to play Kerry's promise on taxes and then destroy it by highlighting his past votes — especially for the Clinton tax increases.

2. Kerry's missed opportunities. Kerry had a chance to score points on the poor jobs reports that came out on Friday and on a question on the environment, but he simply didn't land the kinds of blows he should have. These were enormous missed opportunities I'm sure the campaign wants back. The Kerry campaign needed to drive home their pessimistic message on the economy, but the war in Iraq and other questions squeezed the amount of time devoted to our economic challenges.

3. The "L" word. This debate more than any other demonstrated just how afraid Kerry is of his liberal voting record. He can run, but he can't hide. Bush was very effective at driving an ideological contrast in this debate, and it seems inevitable that the Bush campaign will push this contrast heavily before the next debate. If you're opposed to the death penalty (even for terrorists), voted for the largest tax increase in American history, voted against a ban on partial birth abortion, and voted lockstep with Ted Kennedy, you're a liberal. Expect Bush to focus on this attack in the next debate.

4. Friday night. We'll have audience ratings soon enough, but a Friday night in the Fall is a time for a dinner out, a movie, and high-school football. And, of course, baseball playoffs. Once again, spinning the debate may be far more important than actual debate performance.

— Robert Moran is a vice president at Republican polling firm Fabrizio, McLaughlin & Associates. He is an NRO contributor.

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