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GOOD NEW LINE [Rich Lowry] Out on the stump on Saturday, Bush said that Kerry could keep his promise on taxes only if he breaks all his other promises. Posted at 07:46 PM FORGOT TO MENTION [Rich Lowry] I thought Bush had a home-run answer to the question about the US being unpopular around the world. He invoked Reagan and the unpopularity of some of his decisions in Europe, even though those decisions were proven correct. In this framework, Bush made the unpopularity in Europe of his decisions on the war and a few other matters a matter of courage and commitment to US security. He went out of his way to talk about the International Criminal Court for the second debate in a row--a sign, surely, that Bush advisers consider that one idea that is popular in Europe but not here at home. Posted at 07:41 PM FYI [Dave Kopel] My latest media column examines the draft hoax. Along the way, I point to good work by Beldar Blog, INDC Journal, Snopes.com, and two anti-draft websites with intellectual integrity. And I show that John Kerry is the candidates who has advocated mandatory national service for young people, although he is now trying to cover up his proposal for coercion. Posted at 07:36 PM ANGRY AMERICANS [ Jonah Goldberg ] I think there are a lot of them out there. I cannot remember the last time I received a response to a column like this. I don't say it to brag or anything like that. But I've gotten hundreds of emails from furious readers. Most, obviously, are fans of Bush but many are simply disgusted with the way the media and the Democrats are arguing about this war. I knew I was angry -- that's why I wrote the column after all. But it's been a real eye-opener to learn how frustrated so many others are. Posted at 06:22 PM GOOD POINT [Rich Lowry] An e-mail: I know you guys analyze these things more than I do (and it’s probably not a new point), but I did find these Kerry comments to be incredible during the debate…”Well, let me tell you straight up: I've never changed my mind about Iraq. I do believe Saddam Hussein was a threat. I always believed he was a threat. Believed it in 1998 when Clinton was president. I wanted to give Clinton the power to use force if necessary.” Later in the debate answering a question on Iran… ”KERRY: I don't think you can just rely on U.N. sanctions, Randee. But you're absolutely correct, it is a threat, it's a huge threat. ”And what's interesting is, it's a threat that has grown while the president has been preoccupied with Iraq, where there wasn't a threat.” Posted at 12:45 PM AND ANOTHER [KJL] post-debate piece is up, by Robert Moran. Posted at 12:41 PM THREATENING VIOLENCE WORKS ON CAMPUS [KJL] For fear of violence, Ehmud Barak's visit to Concordia College was cancelled by the college. Posted at 12:29 PM P.S. RE GERMAN PAPERS [KJL] FAZ isn't leftwing. A reader: "Considered the voice of Germany's financial capital, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung can hardly be considered left wing. It's black masthead proudly proclaims its CDU allegiance, in contrast to the truly left wing Frankfurter Rundschau, whose green-highlighted masthead lets you know its political affiliation." Posted at 12:27 PM THERE'S A NEW IRAN BLOG [KJL] Posted at 12:13 PM AFGHAN VOTERS FLOCKING TO THE POLLS [Jim Robbins] Today is a great day for freedom and democracy, I hope the President acknowledges it. Posted at 12:10 PM THE IN-BOX [KJL] Most of my e-mails are complaining about any negativity in the Corner, or, thanking us for the fair, honest coverage. But, then, there's the other category. I'd like to say we have constructive liberal criticism, but, uh...: I simply had to write after perusing "The Corner." Your conservative circle-jerk never fails to amuse. Bush "won"? How? By not peeing in his pants again? Check the debate polls, Kathryn. The real ones, ABC, CNN, SUSA. Try -- for once --to be objective in your heart of hearts at least. Bush looked like the petulant, hothead aging frat boy he has always been. Try to explain away your man's bizarre, antic parry toward Gibson and his maniacal yelling. Live with it. Posted at 12:06 PM RE: AUSTRALIA [KJL] Jim Robbins points out to me: "Howard re-elected with a stronger majority, and no terror attacks." That last one is no small victory, it would seem. Posted at 11:57 AM BREAKFAST WITH W. [KJL] From an e-mailer who was at the St. Louis event this morning: I was at the breakfast where President Bush spoke this morning, and he was on fire. He exuded lots of energy and enthusiasm. He also displayed lots of optimism (something Kerry never does). Posted at 11:44 AM THERE ARE [KJL] a few more pieces up reacting to the debate..mosey on over to the NRO homepage for Lowry and more. Posted at 10:43 AM RUN, BUT NOT HIDE [KJL] From pool report, at a breakfast this morning, bush ran with that good line from last night: "On issue after issue, my opponent showed why he's earned the ranking of most liberal member of the US Senate. Several of his statements just don't pass the credibility test. With a straight face, he said 'I've only had one position on Iraq.' He must think we've been on another planet.''' Posted at 10:42 AM DOWN UNDER [Mark Steyn] Hey, Kathryn: Re:"Howard Wins Australian Prez Election" There's no prez in Australia. Head of state: Her Majesty The Queen. I'm all for Bush liberating the world, but start with the Taliban, Saddam, the mullahs, Kim Jong-Il, and save the House of Windsor for the end of the second term. Posted at 10:36 AM HOWARD IS REELECTED [John Hillen] This is a very big deal, one that won’t make many headlines over here but is important for President Bush. Howard’s opponent ran on a Dean/Kerry type platform and really tested the Aussie electorate with an appeal to implicit anti-Americanism and explicit anti-Bushism. Hope is presages a similar voter phenomenon over here. Posted at 10:35 AM BUSH WINS, ALL OVER EUROPE [KJL] Joshua Livestro in the Netherlands sends this sum-up of the EuroPress on the debate: The Netherlands: Centre-left Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad says “Bush looked relaxed and energized.” Headline: “President on a roll in heated debate.” Centre-right newspaper De Telegraaf says Bush restored his credibility with last night’s performance, noting he looked “cheerful and confident.” Belgium: “Bush fires live rounds at Kerry in second debate,” according to De Morgen. The article says Bush was defensive in the first debate, but very much on the offensive second time round. France: “Bush plays an offence game,” says Le Figaro. Even the left-wing Le Monde admitted Bush looked “less hesitant and more aggressive than in the first debate.” Germany: The left-wing FAZ states that “Bush posted a much improved performance,” noting that Bush was much more aggressive than in the first debate.” German newspaper Bild uses as a headline Bush’s remark that he just couldn’t see how Kerry could lead the US at a time of war and uncertainty. It also quotes vox pops of American voters saying they were impressed with the aggressive way in which Bush responded to the attacks of his challenger. England “Bush bounces back,” says The Times. “Mr Bush gave a stronger performance than his tense and stumbling effort in the first encounter.” Posted at 10:12 AM THE ERROR WATCH [Tim Graham] The fact check brigade frustrated the lefties again last night by finding flaws on both sides. The left-wing media critic handbook at "Media Matters for America" suggests that only conservatives make errors, and finding an error or two on each side gives the misleading perception that liberals make errors. Both ABC and CNN suggested crumbling patience on Kerry’s claim that Bush fired Gen. Shinseki for speaking out. On CNN, Wolf Blitzer said “You'd think after all these times that John Kerry makes that claim about General Shinseki being forced to retire, not a correct claim, somebody would have told him he's got to reword his, the way he utters that so-called fact." On ABC, Jake Tapper said, “That is incorrect and Senator Kerry must know this by now – it's been pointed out on fact checks all over the country. But General Shinseki, who was the Army Chief of Staff, announced his retirement in 2002. He did not make his controversial remarks until 2003, so the idea that he left the military because of the remarks is just not a fact." With Bush, both Tapper and CNN’s Bill Schneider harped on Bush for suggesting “75 percent” of al-Qaeda has been brought to justice. They insisted the numbers are pre-9/11 numbers and far too nebulous to pretend to be precise about. Certainly the media have never wanted to project the idea that Bush has had measurable success putting the kibosh on terror. Posted at 10:00 AM READ MY SPITS [Tim Graham] MRC’s Brent Baker reports that Kerry’s “read my lips” answer on taxes did not go over well with media types. Tim Russert rued to MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews: "I never thought I'd see another 'Read my lips, no new taxes,' Chris. Never in my lifetime." Brokaw chimed in: "Especially with the deficits with the size that they are today." Brokaw suggested that Kerry may have remembered how George H.W. Bush, 41, won the presidency on an anti-tax hike pledge but, Brokaw warned, "he paid the penalty later." That penalty was not so much for making the pledge, but for unnecessarily breaking it. Posted at 09:59 AM STEPHY'S SPAM [Tim Graham] After a night of fairness at the debate, there were a few whiffs of the usual liberal tone of media coverage. Ted Koppel parachuted in to do “Nightline” for a change, and asked George Stephanopoulos “what does your gut tell you” about the second debate. Reliably, Stephanopoulos echoed the Democratic spam: "My gut tells me that President Bush helped himself personally by having an improved performance, but that Senator Kerry's campaign is helped more overall because the issues are trending in his direction and he's the challenger and he's now had two debates where people have seen him as either a tie or a win. A credible alternative at a time when you've had job loss, when a majority of the country thinks we're going in the wrong direction -- that's very good news for the challenger." Posted at 09:59 AM JOHN HOWARD WINS AUSTRALIAN PREZ ELECTION [KJL] It will be safe for president Bush to start thanking him again! Posted at 09:50 AM JOHN HOWARD WINS AUSTRALIAN PREZ ELECTION [KJL] It will be safe for president Bush to start thanking him again! Posted at 09:50 AM "FACTCHECK" [KJL] Just saw on CNN, reporter claiming that Bush wasn't entirely true when he said Kerry is the #1 liberal because Kerry made it impossible to gauge when he stopped showing up to work. They also point out that he is 11, lifetime. Those were last year's numbers that made him #1, I believe, which seems more than a fair sample. And #1 liberal is only starting...how about the abortion industry's unique enthusiasm for Kerry? PEople don't know this stuff, and I think they'd like to. Posted at 09:29 AM A FEW PIECES [KJL] are up on the homepage. Some more tomorrow. Good night. Posted at 01:00 AM KERRY'S HOWLERS [Tim Graham] Kerry deserves to have several of his debate lines tonight hung around his neck and mocked. First, there's the ever-funny "I've never changed my mind on Iraq." Then there's the continuous lie that Bush "retired" Gen. Shinseki for disagreeing with him. Then there's the "90 percent of the casualties are American" that caused Cheney to slap Edwards for ignoring the Iraqis. Kerry said he wanted a defense posture like Reagan's. "You're no Ronald Reagan, senator." But the most ridiculous answer of all was saying he would not pick a liberal for the Supreme Court, especially when he was soon talking about protecting the right to choose, etc. Posted at 12:56 AM THE LINE OF THE NIGHT? [Michael Graham] "Well, again, the president just said, categorically, my opponent is against this, my opponent is against that. You know, it's just not that simple." Listening to the long, drawn out explanation of how John Kerry is a pro-life Catholic who supports partial-birth abortion, I'm thinking the motto of the Kerry campaign should be "John Kerry: It's Just Not That Simple." Posted at 12:54 AM HAVE A DRINK [KJL] If you don't have to give up for the night yet, grab a drink and come back in a little for some reaction pieces by Peter Robinson, Robert P. George, and more. Posted at 12:21 AM MAZAR-E-SHARIF AT POLLING STATION [KJL] (FNC) God bless those brave souls. And over in Australia: Good luck, John Howard! See John O'Sullivan's piece on the homepage. Posted at 12:13 AM QUOTE OF THE NIGHT [Ramesh Ponnuru] Tonight's "global test" moment, nominated by a reader: "Not necessarily," Kerry's response to Bush's claim that Saddam would still be in power if he had been president. Posted at 12:05 AM JOE LOCKHART'S POST-DEBATE SPAM [KJL] Dear Kathryn,Two presidential debates and two clear wins. John Kerry is going to be the next president of the United States, and more people know it now than just two short hours ago. Tonight, George Bush had another chance to make his case to the American people. Again he failed. · Again, he showed that he is out of touch with reality on Iraq. · Again, he offered no plan for jobs and no plan for cutting the cost of health care. · Again, he pretended that our problems don't exist. · Again, he refused to level with the American people. Posted at 12:05 AM Friday, October 08, 2004 THE DEBATE [Mark R. Levin] Swimsuit and talent portions to Bush, hands down. Very solid. I think the more people hear John Kerry at some length, HE is the candidate who becomes repetitive. Furthermore, some of his statements are incredible. He's for capping tort awards? Since when? Posted at 11:57 PM HILLARY PLOTTING [KJL] Here's some strategic thinking, from a very suscpicious reader: Hi K-Lo, Posted at 11:39 PM NOW I'M CONFUSED [Jonah Goldberg] Josh Marshall, who said that Edwards didn't strike a single false note in the VP debate, now says that tonight's debate was a draw. On the one hand, you could say that if Josh Marshall thinks it was a draw, Bush must have won. On the other hand you could say given his judgement on the Cheney-Edwards debate he could just be way wrong.
Posted at 11:36 PM RICH LOWRY [KJL] will be on FNC sometime after midnight Posted at 11:36 PM PATRIOT ACT LIE & FLIP FLOP [Barbara Comstock] He said he hasn't opposed the Patriot Act -- just Ashcroft. Not true. “So it is time to end the era of John Ashcroft. That starts with replacing the Patriot Act with a new law that protects our people and our liberties at the same time.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At Iowa State University, 12/1/03) Posted at 11:34 PM "HAUGHTY" [KJL] Michelle Malkin says Kerry screamed elitist tonight. Posted at 11:32 PM BELATED REPLY [Rick Brookhiser] Kathryn: Remember that I heard this debate on radio, so all the body language was lost to me. I think Kerry is always better spoken, and often had more details at his command. Sometimes they didn't in fact amount to much (Sen. Hagel, I'm sure, is a worthy man, but I don't care what he thinks about anything), yet they reported for duty all the same. His weaknesses are pomposity---which showed once, in the Chris Reeve my friend line; and evasive generality--which showed in the fed $ for abortion answer, and in his constant reference to his plans for this or that, which is why I have been blogging Lewis Carroll's "For I was thinking of a plan/To dye my whiskers green..." Posted at 11:30 PM BUSH WON BIG [Jonah Goldberg] According to most readers, like this one: Dear Jonah: Man, the conservative punditry sure was shook up from the first debate. So much so that you guys can't even seem to grasp how big the president won tonight. It's almost comical watching how much you guys are missing it. The president was presidential and respectfully condescending to a senator that frankly doesn't seem credible unless you're impressed by machine gun answers that no one, and I mean no one, has any way of knowing the accuracy thereof or a "the sky is falling" scampaign. Even conservatives are far too impressed with the litigator debater. The guy's fraud...and it showed. Posted at 11:29 PM LOOKING AT IT WRONG [Jonah Goldberg] From a reader:
Posted at 11:27 PM "RELAX" [KJL] Another e-mail, sounds right: "Anyone who is as plugged as you guys with the single best conservative argument about every single issue can say, Bush should have X, Y or Z given opening A, B and C. But if you listened to what Bush actually said as opposed to what you think he should have said, you'll see that Bush came out just fine. He was solid, gave some great answers, particularly about stem cells, abortion and in making difficult decisions displeasing to Europe. (With some clunkers about Dred Scott too). Kerry just sounded like a canned politician, and I think that came across." Posted at 11:24 PM ABC INSTAPOLL [Barbara Comstock] Was Mark Halperin balancing the ABC poll?? Posted at 11:14 PM YES!!! [KJL] Bush and Yankees win. Posted at 11:12 PM GOOD POINT FROM GEORGE WILL [John Hillen] Given the eight days the President just had, this improved debate performance was a welcome end to a bad patch. Posted at 11:08 PM KERRYSPOT'S BEEN BLOGGING WITH COLLEGE KIDS, BTW [KJL] Posted at 11:05 PM SHWEEEEOOO SWEDEN'S DOWN WITH THE GOP [Jonah Goldberg] From a reader: Dear Jonah: Posted at 11:01 PM I ALMOST FORGOT [KJL] "Internets." Out-of-touchy grating or endearing? I thought endearing. Posted at 11:00 PM HILLARY IS SPINNING FOR KERRY [KJL] "I want to assure all Fox viewers [Bill Clinton] is on the mend." Posted at 10:58 PM CHARLIE WOLF [Cliff May] I was just doing a little post-debate commentary on the Charlie Wolf Show, which is sort of the equivalent of Sean Hannity’s radio show in the UK. Guess what? He’s been reading the Corner all evening and plugged it, with great praise, to his audience there across the pond. Posted at 10:57 PM HILLARY ON FOX [Jonah Goldberg] She says Bill's recuperating well in the hospital because Kerry's doing so well. Posted at 10:57 PM KERRY LECTURED AN EMPTY ROOM [Jim Boulet] I was told time and time again in 1999 that a Texas Governor named George W. Bush was terrific in small groups. Now I see what they meant. Bush feeds off people's reaction like a good businessman/salesman. Kerry's twenty years in the Senate has made him most comfortable addressing an empty room, as any viewer of C-SPAN II has seen day after day. Posted at 10:56 PM ABC NEWS INSTA POLL OF DEBATE OUTCOME [John Hillen] Kerry 44 Bush 41 Draw 13 Posted at 10:56 PM RE: VIETNAM [John Hillen] Jonathan, Kerry did note that his Catholic faith got him through a war. So he got the fact that he’s a pious veteran in. Posted at 10:55 PM NOTE TO READERS [Jonah Goldberg] I'd like to make two points. First, for every email I get which says I'm nuts and Bush won hands down, I get one email from another -- equally conservative -- reader saying I'm nuts for thinking Kerry didn't destroy Bush. Second, I do wish readers would stop trying to read my mind as to why I'm offering my opinions. I get a lot of psychobabble from people who think I'm deliberately hard on Bush to maintain my credibility with liberals or some such nonsense. Believe me, it's nonsense. Posted at 10:54 PM THE RESULT: A SMOOTH FABRICATOR FAILS TO FLOOR A RENEWED CHAMP [John Hillen] Given expectations (based on the first debate) and Kerry’s greater debating experience, Bush comes away the winner. Kerry was poised, sharp, and ready – but predictable in his attacks and utterly manufactured in his own policies and answers. The policy positions in direct contravention to his entire public record and indeed the traditions of his party, the obsequious name dropping, the toadying to the most popular conservative positions (welfare reform, etc) – all hopefully too nauseating to win further votes. Bush was much improved, but I feel still less prepared for Kerry’s limited and well known attacks than he could have been. Don’t think there will be any lines or Saturday Night Live moments from this one. The balance was restored and it will be quickly forgotten. Posted at 10:52 PM APPARENTLY [KJL] ABC is reporting some kind of Bush timber refund. I knew that had to be sourced. What a stupid controversy this could wind up being. Posted at 10:52 PM CLIFF [Ramesh Ponnuru] The kids should pay for the war. Posted at 10:52 PM VERY WEIRD [John Hood] The panel on MSNBC thinks Bush pretty clearly defeated Kerry -- got him to talk too much about the tax issue, put him on the defensive on values, etc. The Fox News panel is criticizing Bush for being too defensive and praising Kerry's performance. Huh? Posted at 10:49 PM SO ... I DUNNO [Jonah Goldberg] If I was scoring this as a debate coach, I guess I'd give it to Kerry. But the first rule of presidential debates is that that's the last way to judge them. In the first half Bush was too defensive, I thought. In the second half I thought Bush gained on Kerry. On taxes, abortion and the environment I think Bush won to one extent or another. But on the more important issue of who was the more likable guy, I think Bush had Kerry beat. The crowd, it seemed, like Bush a lot more. Not only did the crowd not laugh at Kerry's jokes, but Kerry didn't make any. However, on the question of whether Bush did everything he needed to tonight, I don't think so. I think he helped himself, but Kerry leaves these debates energized. If you think back to just ten days ago, Kerry was falling apart. That trend was turned around in the last debate and this one didn't change that. Posted at 10:48 PM BUSH IMPROVES [Ramesh Ponnuru] He did much better than he did last time; he probably scored more new points than Kerry did (on partial-birth abortion, for example). Kerry performed at about the same level he did in the last debate. Otoh, I think Bush supporters cringed more often than Kerry supporters did. I'd say Kerry wins, but not by much. Bush wins only if we're grading on a curve, which the public just might. And I think I'm just going to ignore my email inbox for the next day or so. Posted at 10:48 PM THE WARDEN SAYS "BUSH WINS" [Michael Graham] My wife, The Warden (also known on NRO as Jennifer Graham), just called. She’s listening on the radio and says Bush sounds great. “She’s really handling him.” She missed the first half hour, so she missed his low point, but she says Bush is rockin’. Posted at 10:48 PM VIETNAM [Jonathan H. Adler] Oops. I missed it. One of my colleagues e-mails that Kerry said his faith "helped [him] through the war." Posted at 10:46 PM I AGREE WITH CLIFF [Barbara Comstock] I'm spending my children's inheritance! Posted at 10:45 PM DRAWISH? [KJL] Someone on CNN said Kerry won. Rick--What was it Kerry did well that made it a draw? Bush seemed to command, generally. Not the picture-perfect answers on a some stuff, but good all the same. Posted at 10:43 PM DEBATE BOTTOM LINE [John Derbyshire] W on points. Much more relaxed & warmer. Kerry was the repetitive one tonight --- I have a plan... I have a plan... I have a plan... (he said it again as I was typing that). I thought him rather flat, too -- as if he is getting tired of repeating his lines. Did Kerry mention 9/11? W did, more than once. Kerry the 9/10 candidate. Posted at 10:42 PM AND THE WINNER IS... [Rick Brookhiser] A drawish debate, but Bush closed well, in that he displayed his virtues: focus, patience, determination. Edge Bush. Posted at 10:41 PM SUMMARY [Stanley Kurtz] I think the president won this debate–certainly as a matter of momentum and beating expectations, but in an absolute sense as well. Neither side scored anything close to a knockout, but the president got the best of this debate and restored good momentum for his campaign. When people chose a president, they are definitely not trying to choose the smartest policy expert. If they were, Al Gore would be president now. Yet everyone knows Gore lost his debates. People want a president who looks at issues the way they do, and who shares their larger outlook on life. They want to trust their president’s basic values, sensibility, and personal solidity. They are interested in policy, but not in the details of policy. As four years ago, I think Bush has shown that he is a forceful, confident, and solid person with values and policy instincts close to the public’s heart. That is what he needed to do. Especially on foreign policy, the president is closer to the public. His strong and confident defense of his war policies left Kerry looking too much like a carper. The president is a commander, and tonight he showed that he was in charge of himself and his administration. He acted like a leader. Having done so, he wins. Posted at 10:39 PM I HAVE A PLAN [Barbara Comstock] Not exactly "I have a dream".....I have a plan, I have a plan, I have a plan...bla, bla, bla, it reminds you of the teacher in Charlie Brown's class..... Posted at 10:38 PM PAYING FOR THE WAR [Cliff May] I think my kids should pay for it. I pay for everything else. And what else do they have to pay for? Posted at 10:37 PM "ENJOYABLE" [KJL] Bush means that, you can tell. Bush wins. Posted at 10:36 PM VIETNAM? [Jonathan H. Adler] Is it possible that Kerry went 90 minutes without mentioing Vietnam once? Or did I miss it? Posted at 10:36 PM HAGEL & LUGAR [Cliff May] That’s two debates now that they’ve been invoked by Kerry. Both should stand up tomorrow and make it clear whom they support. Posted at 10:35 PM DISRESPECTFUL CHUTZPAH [Jonah Goldberg] For Kerry to continually invoke Ronald Reagan's foreign policy leadership takes real brass considering how much he loathed Reagan and made his job so difficult when Reagan was conducting the foreign policy he now praises. Posted at 10:35 PM OVERALL ASSESSMENT [Jonathan H. Adler] The President was far from perfect, and he missed many opportunties to defend his record, but he was far stronger than he was in the first debate -- and that can only help. He also nailed several questions that could help with uncommitted voters, including those on abortion and the environment. Kerry was smooth and articulate -- if a bit programmed -- and was probably convincing to undecided voters who have not been following the campaign. But Kerry also said many things that contradict prior statements and his record. It's now up to the Bush campaign to call him on it. Posted at 10:35 PM RE BOB FROM TORONTO [Cliff May] Has a point. A possible reason: NRO bloggers try hard to be honest and not to let their partisanship interfere with their analysis. They want to describe what is happening, not what they hope is happening. They bend over backwards to be fair. This is something that I genuinely think is more common among conservatives than liberals. Listen to David Brook vs. Mark Shield on NPR. David says what he thinks and criticizes Republicans often. Shields is always a cheerleader for Democrats. Think of Tucker Carlson vs. Paul Begala and James Carville on Crossfire. Same thing. Posted at 10:35 PM WHICH LAWS, SENATOR KERRY? [Jim Boulet Jr.] Kerry wants judges who will "interpret the Constitution according to the law." Which laws? International law? European Union law? The law as liberal law professors wish it to be -- like HREF="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/sats/interviews/guinier.html">Lani Guinier? Or laws invented by a stoke of a presidential pen, like HREF="http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/boulet200409300818.asp">Clinton Executive Order 13166? Posted at 10:35 PM KERRY ON JUDGES [Roger Clegg] Equal pay for women is eroding and this is a judicial issue? Neither clause is plausible. Also, conservative judges are those who interpret legal texts according to what they say, not what they'd like them to say. That's what Bush said, and what Kerry doesn't want to admit. Posted at 10:34 PM GUT-CHECK TIME [John Derbyshire] "I ask each one of you to look into your hearts, look into your guts"---Kerry. Eiuw. Posted at 10:33 PM HALLIBURTON!!! [KJL] Right at the end line, Kerry sneaks that in! Posted at 10:33 PM JOKES [Cliff May] Kerry doesn’t really do humor, does he? I can’t recall him saying anything that would suggest that he has a genuine sense of irony. Can anyone else? Posted at 10:32 PM SUPERMAN IS HIS FRIEND [John Hillen] I think the longer this goes on, the more the smooth and forceful Kerry looks smoothly and forcefully disingenuous. For the whole debate he’s been in policy territory that his Senate record does not remotely support and now he’s tossing around names (McCain, Christopher Reeve) to show his stuff. I hope people can see through that. I still think he’s been a better debater and stylistically better than the President tonight, but Bush is genuine and that should come through with voters. Posted at 10:31 PM THAT LAST QUESTION [Ramesh Ponnuru] was just a terrible one to let be the last one. Posted at 10:31 PM WHILE KERRY DOES THE SIDEWAYS SHUFFLE [John Derbyshire] "Reasonable ways to promote a culture of life in America..."---W Well said, and from the heart. Posted at 10:30 PM BUSH AND THE BASICS [Michael Graham] Kerry is a liberal—Judges, taxes, national defense. Kerry is a no-show—in the Congress, where is his record? Why doesn’t he show up for work? Kerry is a flip-flopper—you know that story. The more he sticks to these, the better he does. He needs to hit these more. He’s doing it some, but he should do it more, for example on the judge issue. Posted at 10:30 PM ADS READY? [Jed Babbin] Altar boys for abortion? Is that Kerry's latest 527 group? Posted at 10:29 PM WHOA! [John Derbyshire] W came within an ace of saying: "The Constitution says that we're all created equal." Stopped himself. Phew! Posted at 10:29 PM "ONE OF US WILL HAVE A PICK" [John Hillen] First time I’ve heard Bush allude to anything other than his certain victory. Posted at 10:28 PM ABORTION... [Jonah Goldberg] Bush beat Kerry, hands down. The only thing I would have added, I think the best way to keep abortion from dividing Americans is to keep the federal government from spending your tax dollars on a procedure you consider to be akin to murder. Posted at 10:28 PM "I'M AGAINST PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION" [KJL] Not quite enough, Mr. Citizen Catholic. Posted at 10:27 PM EMBRYOS, JUDGES [Rick Brookhiser] By not being sufficiently moral, Bush gave a weak answer on embryos. And does he expect Dred Scot to be relitigated? Posted at 10:27 PM PATRIOT ACT [Barbara Comstock] Kerry just displayed remarkable ignorance on the Patriot Act. He denounced so called "sneak and peak" searches....which have been a long held tool for law enforcement -- here's the reality (from www.lifeandliberty.gov) Reality: Delayed notification search warrants are a long-existing, crime-fighting tool upheld by courts nationwide for decades in organized crime, drug cases and child pornography. The Patriot Act simply codified the authority law enforcement had already had for decades. This tool is a vital aspect of our strategy of prevention – detecting and incapacitating terrorists before they are able to strike. In some cases if criminals are tipped off too early to an investigation, they might flee, destroy evidence, intimidate or kill witnesses, cut off contact with associates, or take other action to evade arrest. Therefore, federal courts in narrow circumstances long have allowed law enforcement to delay for a limited time when the subject is told that a judicially-approved search warrant has been executed. This tool can be used only with a court order, in extremely narrow circumstances when immediate notification may result in death or physical harm to an individual, flight from prosecution, evidence tampering, witness intimidation, or serious jeopardy to an investigation. The reasonable delay gives law enforcement time to identify the criminal’s associates, eliminate immediate threats to our communities, and coordinate the arrests of multiple individuals without tipping them off beforehand. In all cases, law enforcement must give notice that property has been searched or seized. The Supreme Court has held the Fourth Amendment does not require law enforcement to give immediate notice of the execution of a search warrant. The Supreme Court emphasized “that covert entries are constitutional in some circumstances, at least if they are made pursuant to a warrant.” In fact, the Court stated that an argument to the contrary was “frivolous.” Dalia v. U.S., 441 U.S. 238 (1979) Posted at 10:26 PM "TRYING TO DECIPHER THAT" [KJL] My feelings exactly. Mr. President. Posted at 10:25 PM ABORTION [Ramesh Ponnuru] Kerry deeply respects pro-lifers but will force them to subsidize abortion. Good for Bush for calling him on the funding question. Posted at 10:25 PM ABORTION [KJL] A president's job is to counsel people?? Posted at 10:24 PM THE ABORTION QUESTION [Jonathan H. Adler] Did people notice Kerry's hand twitch while he was asked the abortion question? Perhaps it was because he was planning to duck the part of the question about funding abortions with tax dollars. Bush, on the other hand, answered it right off the bat, and segued right into partial-birth abortion and parental notification. Posted at 10:24 PM HUMOR [Jonah Goldberg] I'm with Rick on that. Bush is getting the audience to laugh with him. Posted at 10:24 PM "I'M A CATHOLIC" [KJL] Kerry saying that is like fingernails on a chalkboard. Posted at 10:23 PM THAT WAS QUICK [Jonathan H. Adler] Is it me, or did this debate seem to go much more quickly than the prior debates? Posted at 10:23 PM KERRY'S RESPONSE [Ramesh Ponnuru] I want non-political judges who will protect abortion rights. Posted at 10:23 PM RE: BIG PICTURE [Stanley Kurtz] Yes, Kathryn. The president is coming off as plenty smart enough, and forceful. That’s what matters. The point is not to listen to this as though you’re judging a contest between policy wonks. The president needs to show he’s wonkish enough to govern, but above all, forceful enough to make the right choices. He’s doing that plenty well. And with expectations so low, he’s way exceeding them. This is very good for the president. Both are doing plenty well enough to please their supporters. There will be no decisive winner. But the president has more than held his own. As far as I’m concerned, he’s winning. Posted at 10:23 PM JUDGES [KJL] No legislating--rock on, W. Kerry is snipping back. Would be nice if W. could get into Senate holdups. I'd love every American to know about Bill Pryor and his DisneyWorld vacation. Posted at 10:22 PM JUDGES [Jonathan H. Adler] President Bush said he wants judges who interpret the law, rather than make law. President Kerry responds claiming Bush said he wants "good conservative judges." Hey Senator! They're the same thing! Posted at 10:22 PM JUDGES [Ramesh Ponnuru] How about: We've got too many liberal judges, and I won't appoint any more. That's a pretty simple answer, but it would have done. Kerry is making a more politically pointed response. Posted at 10:21 PM PUNDITS V THE PEOPLE [Jonah Goldberg] From a reader: Jonah, Posted at 10:21 PM RE RED SOX JOKE [KJL] Bush, on the other hand, has gotten the audience laughing (with him) multiple times. That says a lot. Posted at 10:20 PM TOO BAD [Ramesh Ponnuru] Bush made no response on the bogus stem-cell contamination question, but I think he did fine in general. He looked thoughtful and mindful of all reasonable considerations. Posted at 10:19 PM AN E-MAIL [KJL] Bush looks commanding, credible, and confident. Posted at 10:19 PM TIMBER COMPANY [Rick Brookhiser] Humor and a pitch to small businesses: a Bush homer. Posted at 10:17 PM HERE IN MILFORD [Jack Fowler] The Fowlers are partisan, but before the debate increasingly nervous Republicans. Less so now: We are very pleased with the President's performance. He's coming off well -- soooo much better than last week. Posted at 10:17 PM FERTILITY CLINIC EMBRYOS [Ramesh Ponnuru] So is Kerry going to override the parents' wishes and seize those embryos for taxpayer-funded research--embryos that in most cases they are paying big dollars to keep frozen? Posted at 10:16 PM ARGUMENT BY NAME-DROPPING [Jonah Goldberg] Is anyone else getting annoyed by Kerry's tendency of using names instead of arguments. He strong on defense because a bunch of generals say so. He's opposed to the Patriot Act because this guy and that guy are opposed. He's for stem cell research because Michael J. Fox is sick...etc etc Posted at 10:16 PM STEM CELL ANSWER [KJL] Could Kerry be ANY MORE PATRONIZING? And, he says "abortion"--and almost like it is a bad thing, Senator Planned Parenthood. Posted at 10:15 PM GO, ELIZABETH! [KJL] Awesome stem cell question Posted at 10:14 PM PATRIOT ACT DEMOGOGUERY [Jonathan H. Adler] Kerry is attacking the fact that the USA PATRIOT Act allows the FBI to use certain tools to combat terrorism, such as "sneak-and-peek" searches, that have been used for traditional law enforcement for years (see here). Posted at 10:14 PM ANSWER TO CLIFF'S QUESTION [Roger Clegg] Ellie Mae. Posted at 10:13 PM THE SUBSTANCE OF STYLE [John Hood] There really aren't many differences in substance so far between this debate and the previous ones. Both candidates articulated the same foreign-policy views, and have restated what their seconds did the other night on domestic affairs.The difference is the pacing and tone. Bush is fired up and plays well in this setting. Perhaps he took a little nap this afternoon. Kerry is skillful, particularly in dropping in other issues at the end of his responses, but he also looks evasive. Sure, Bush isn't answering every one of Kerry's quick rips. That's not how you judge these kinds of performances. So far, advantage president. Posted at 10:13 PM THAT SAID... [Jonah Goldberg] I think he's picking up steam. The tax part was a winner for Bush as was the Patriot Act discussion, I think. Posted at 10:12 PM KERRY LIES [John Derbyshire] "I'm going to free us from dependency on Middle East Oil"---Kerry. No, you're not. You can't. There is **no** feasible way to free us from dependency on ME oil. None. Posted at 10:11 PM NONE OF YOU MAKE OVER $200K [Barbara Comstock] "Looking around here" only 3 of us will have to pay more.....me, the President and sorry, you Charlie......how condescending!! Yeah, you poor slobs in Missouri.....you couldn't possibly be earning that much. Who makes that much ?? Oh, let's say a husband is a cop who works overtime and a wife who is a salesperson or a lawyer with three kids...yeah, those filthy rich people saving to put their kids through college and pay the bills.....He doesn't know what someone who actually EARNS $200k looks like......he never EARNED that much in his life. How does he know what someone actually EARNING $200k looks like? (as opposed to someone who MARRIED it and has never EARNED that much in his life!!) Posted at 10:11 PM KERRY THE SCIENTIST [John Derbyshire] "I'm going to be a president who believes in science"---Kerry. Please, PLEASE, someone ask him to give **ONE** of Newton's three laws of motion. Posted at 10:09 PM BIG PICTURE [KJL] Bsuh looks comfortable and confident, is moving around, owning the floor. That all means something. I'm with Stanley re the difference between first and second debates (maybe being influenced by regular peeps types)--but they might not be the perfect answers, but doesn't he look like a commander? And Kerry looks like he is the untried guy who is talking to Bush and not theaudience there? Posted at 10:09 PM PANDER BEAR? [Jonathan H. Adler] Kerry won't pander. You heard it tonight. Posted at 10:09 PM LOTS OF READERS [Jonah Goldberg] Keep telling me Bush is winning, kicking butt etc. I just don't see that. If you imagine you're a swing voter it's at best a draw so far, I think. Posted at 10:07 PM WONKING IT [John Derbyshire] "My health care plan will provide..." "Over the last 13 months [?] we've created 1.9 million new jobs..." "We've got 40 million dollars going to Bermuda..." "He voted 98 times to raise taxes..." "I've got a plan to increase the wetlands by 3 million..." [3 million WHAT? Does anyone really care about this wonky stuff? Does anyone believe it? Posted at 10:05 PM KERRY ON THE ENVIRONMENT [Jonathan H. Adler] He's misleading on "Clear Skies" (see my article in this Sunday's Phila Inquirier on this administration and air pollution). As for Kyoto, Kerry says the President didn't try to fix it -- but the problem is you can't. Kyoto can't be amended until after it is in force. But now that Kerry is supporting it again (after he opposed it when he voted for Byrd-Hagel), I wonder how that will play in West Virginia? Posted at 10:05 PM CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN [John Hillen] Kerry’s Red Sox/environmental policy joke? I didn’t get it. Posted at 10:05 PM ENVIRONMENT, II [Ramesh Ponnuru] I actually think Bush won that exchange, which surprises me even more. Posted at 10:04 PM MCCAIN LINKAGE [John Hillen] New drinking game. That’s three McCain and I references from Kerry so far. Posted at 10:04 PM CHUTZPAH [John Hillen] Who’d a thunk that the most liberal member of the Senate would go into a Presidential debate as the no-new-taxes-pledging deficit hawk who is pounding a conservative for spending too much. Maybe the cable box is on the blink…. Posted at 10:03 PM HEY, WHILE YOU’RE ONLINE [KJL ] Vote for The Corner & the Kerry Spot in the Washington Post’s best blogs contest. Posted at 10:03 PM THE RULES [Jed Babbin] Kerry needs Ross Perot's pie charts. Posted at 10:03 PM THIS ONE AND THAT ONE [Stanley Kurtz] Again, this is a world away from the first debate. A lot of that is due to the president’s more alert and confident demeanor. But a lot of the difference also has to do with the fact that Kerry’s record has been put on the table–by the questions, and by the president’s attacks. Necessarily, that changes the dynamic and tends to even up the battle. Again, I think the president is winning. But at minimum, the dynamic in this debate is vastly different and far more favorable to the president than the first debate. Posted at 10:02 PM SURPRISINGLY GOOD [Ramesh Ponnuru] answer from Bush on the environment. I'm sure Kerry will do very well on it, though. He'll probably hit ANWR. Posted at 10:02 PM THE ENVIRONMENT EMERGES! [Jonathan H. Adler] Bush is asked about the environment . . . . and he answers it better than I've heard anyone in his administration answer similar questions in a long time (Well, other than the Healthy Forests part). The Administration has been ducking this issue for months -- to the point of even refusing to return media calls asking for surrogates -- but there are proposals to defend. Posted at 10:02 PM DOMESTIC POLICY--GENERAL IMPRESSION [KJl] On the stump, he is passionate about compassionate conservatism, and it sorta frames everything. In this venue, it's like a laundry list. Especially this greenery part. Posted at 10:01 PM SO FAR [Stanley Kurtz] I’m thrilled by the president’s performance. As far as I’m concerned, he’s clearly winning. In his answers and in his demeanor he is being forceful, and clearly making the case for an aggressive policy. Kerry’s doing ok, but it’s hard to overcome the case for toughness put forward with confidence. Again, I think the president is winning. But at minimum, this is a world away from the first debate. The president’s alertness, involvement, level of detail, and everything else is better. And the real policy differences are coming out. I still say the public will go with the president’s more aggressive policy. Posted at 10:00 PM STARBUCKS [Cliff May] I disagree, Rod. I’d rather see Bush energetic than dragging around the stage. Posted at 09:59 PM WHITENESS [Cliff May] Of course undecided voters are white. If they could make up their minds, they’d choose a color. Posted at 09:59 PM THANK GOD FOR TRIAL LAWYERS [Michael Graham] That question played to Bush’s strength and Kerry’s weakness. Posted at 09:59 PM AN EMAIL [KJL] Man, you guys, why are you so depressed? My wife just said that during the first debate Bush lost because all he could do was spout talking points. This time, Kerry is vomiting the talking points and Bush is looking strong and real. I think you guys need to take a step back and asses this from an independent voter's point of view and stop getting so vexed when the president doesn't hit every orthodox conservative talking point. Swing voters could care less. Bush is definitely the alpha male tonight. Posted at 09:58 PM THE QUESTIONS [Cliff May] These questions are not half bad. Certainly as good as what we heard from the pros in the last two debates, no? Posted at 09:58 PM REGULAR AMERICANS KEEP TELLING ME [KJL] "gwb is doing great -- and he might be kicking butt" I wish they wrote the headlines. Posted at 09:57 PM REGULAR AMERICANS KEEP TELLING ME [KJL] "gwb is doing great -- and he might be kicking butt" I wish they wrote the headlines. Posted at 09:57 PM BROOKHISER [Cliff May] You got me laughing so hard I missed two questions. What was the name of the Daisy May character in that show? She was very cute. Posted at 09:57 PM BROOKHISER [Cliff May] You got me laughing so hard I missed two questions. What was the name of the Daisy May character in that show? She was very cute. Posted at 09:57 PM REGULAR AMERICANS KEEP TELLING ME [KJL] "gwb is doing great -- and he might be kicking butt" I wish they wrote the headlines. Posted at 09:57 PM BUSH HAS TO HIT HIM [Ramesh Ponnuru] on gas taxes right now. Posted at 09:57 PM TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST THE US [Cliff May]
2001 WTC 2000 USS Cole 1998 embassies in Kenya and Tanzania 1996 Khobar Towers 1993 WTC
That’s only a partial list but the point is from 1993 to 2001 direct attacks against the US were carried out on a regular basis – with impunity. No terrorists camps destroyed. No terrorists masters toppled. Posted at 09:54 PM COUNTRIES ARE LEAVING THE COALITION [Cliff May] Uh, yeah like Spain which left after terrorists showed them who was boss, who was to be feared in this world. Posted at 09:53 PM TWO THINGS [Ramesh Ponnuru] Re whiteness: Rick, undecided voters skew white. Also, interesting that Bush seems to be doing better on domestic issues than on the war. Posted at 09:52 PM THE STARBUCKS PLOT [Rod Dreher] OK, who dosed Bush with the double extra-shot latte? This is not going well. Not. Going. Well. I'm beginning to think that it might be a good idea to call up Berlitz and brush up on my college French. If Bush doesn't get it together, it could come in handy over the next four years. Posted at 09:51 PM I HAVE A PLAN [Rick Brookhiser] ...to dye my whiskers green... And always use so large a fan That they may not be seen. Posted at 09:50 PM "JOHN EDWARDS AND I SUPPORT TORT REFORM" [Michael Graham] That’s got to be the laugh line of the night. And admitting that he is a lawyer is Kerry’s biggest gaffe so far. Most people had no idea. Then again, most people don’t know he did anything since Vietnam. Posted at 09:50 PM THE SPENDING QUESTION [Ramesh Ponnuru] is, so far, my favorite question of the night. Here's to Matthew O'Brien. Posted at 09:50 PM SAD TO SAY [John Hillen] Kerry is rolling. He just rolled in the deficit issue on the back of the Medicare question. He’s systematically – and smoothly running through his repertoire. The President is on the back foot but has plenty of time to come back if he can pull it together. Posted at 09:49 PM APOLOGIES [KJl] Some technical problems, thus the little time lag. Almost have under control. Posted at 09:48 PM LABELS DON'T MEAN ANYTHING.... [Jonah Goldberg] What matters is if you have a plan. Or so says John Kerry. Um, what if I label the plan? Does it still mean something? Posted at 09:48 PM GOOD NIGHT FOR BUSH [Jonathan H. Adler] My girlfriend thinks Bush looks "hot" tonight: "He's having a moment." Posted at 09:48 PM I HATE [KJl] National Journal for all the free plugs they are getting. Posted at 09:48 PM MISSOURAH [Rick Brookhiser] I must ask Terry Teachout if that's what they said in the Bootheel. Posted at 09:48 PM DIVERSITY [Rick Brookhiser] This is a very white audience from what we can see. Posted at 09:47 PM MEDMAL [Ramesh Ponnuru] Bush is doing better on this one than Cheney did Tuesday night. Posted at 09:47 PM WHOA THERE [Jed Babbin] Hey, Brookhiser. Lay off that "Jed" stuff. Posted at 09:46 PM AT THE VERY END [Rick Brookhiser] ....of the foreign policy section, Bush found his voice. Wish it had been earlier. Posted at 09:46 PM TOPIC A [John Derbyshire] Heading for half time, it's been Iraq, Iraq, Iraq... Posted at 09:45 PM "WHY ARE WE SAFE?" [Michael Graham] This is the test question for Bush. He must win this one. He got it done, but just barely. Posted at 09:45 PM BEFORE I FORGET [Jonah Goldberg] Kerry's prattling about how the aim was never to remove Saddam missed the point that the Clinton administration made regime change in Iraq American policy. Posted at 09:44 PM 1ST WORLD TRADE CENTER BOMBING [John Hillen] “1993 or so?” Did Kerry really just guess at the first Al Queda attack on American soil? Bush should nail him. Posted at 09:44 PM "I'M A LAWYER TOO...." [Jonah Goldberg] Not something Kerry's advisors told him to say. Posted at 09:44 PM THERE WE GO AGAIN [Jed Babbin] The 90% lie again. We aren't taking 90% of the casualties or paying 90% of the costs. Thank heaven the President is pushing past Charlie Gibson. Gibson doesn't want to let W keep any momentum. But the prez has it regardless. Kerry seems to be shrinking in his chair. Posted at 09:44 PM IMPORTING DRUGS [Jonathan H. Adler] Kerry lied . . . um, I mean misspoke on this one. Fraudulent drugs are already a significant problem -- American bottles and American brands notwithstanding. Like it or not, allowing drug reimportation from Canada increases the traceability problem, and will make ensuring drug safety more difficult. Advanced tracking and labeling systems might address this problem, but they're not in place yet. Posted at 09:44 PM TGIF [Ramesh Ponnuru] is all I can say. Posted at 09:43 PM NICE POINT RE ALLIANCES [Rick Brookhiser] But W should have mentioned Australia. Kerry's Missouri response was effective. Posted at 09:43 PM BUT KERRY IS SUCH AN EMPTY VESSEL [Rick Brookhiser] He says he will improve the military because, via alliances, he will make a better world. Posted at 09:43 PM WHY DOES BUSH... [Jonah Goldberg] Sound like he's angry at the guy asking about making drugs cheaper? Posted at 09:43 PM WHY DOES BUSH... [Jonah Goldberg] Sound like he's angry at the guy asking about making drugs cheaper? Posted at 09:41 PM KERRY TONIGHT [Jonathan H. Adler] Kerry is clear, articulate and forceful. If all I knew about him was what I saw tonight, I'd be a big fan. The key for the Bush camp will be to point out that the WashU Kerry is not the same person as Senator Kerry or Democratic primary Kerry. Posted at 09:41 PM ALAS... [Jonah Goldberg] Bush's answer was pretty lame too. This admistration has rolled up terrorist cells, foiled plots, captured terrorists and Bush didn't mention any of that. Posted at 09:39 PM DRAFT [John Hillen] Good points about the effectiveness of the all volunteer force on the substitution of technology for people, but perhaps add that: Over a million young men turn 18 every year, the Army is never more than a few thousand short in even the most dire recruiting year. We certainly don’t need a draft for that. And, btw, the draft legislation recently defeated in the House was sponsored by a Democrat. In any case, the issue that needed to be addressed (as Kerry picked up on), is not a fictitious draft, but the fatigue in the Guard and the Reserve. Posted at 09:39 PM DRAFT [John Hillen] Good points about the effectiveness of the all volunteer force on the substitution of technology for people, but perhaps add that: Over a million young men turn 18 every year, the Army is never more than a few thousand short in even the most dire recruiting year. We certainly don’t need a draft for that. And, btw, the draft legislation recently defeated in the House was sponsored by a Democrat. In any case, the issue that needed to be addressed (as Kerry picked up on), is not a fictitious draft, but the fatigue in the Guard and the Reserve. Posted at 09:39 PM KERRY'S ARMY [ "I want people to feel safe in our military..." (Kerry) Doesn't that kind of... miss the point of being...] "I want people to feel safe in our military..." (Kerry) Doesn't that kind of... miss the point of being in the military? Posted at 09:39 PM DRAFT [John Hillen] Good points about the effectiveness of the all volunteer force on the substitution of technology for people, but perhaps add that: Over a million young men turn 18 every year, the Army is never more than a few thousand short in even the most dire recruiting year. We certainly don’t need a draft for that. And, btw, the draft legislation recently defeated in the House was sponsored by a Democrat. In any case, the issue that needed to be addressed (as Kerry picked up on), is not a fictitious draft, but the fatigue in the Guard and the Reserve. Posted at 09:39 PM THAT WAS A GREAT QUESTION [Jonah Goldberg] Why haven't we been attacked since 9/11? And Kerry's answer was awful. I can't tell you because it's classified! First answer Kerry truly tanked on. Posted at 09:36 PM "UNMANNED VE-HICK-ULS" [Rick Brookhiser] Come and listen to mys tory bout a man named Jed, Poor mountaineer barely kep his family fed... Posted at 09:36 PM "UNMANNED VE-HICK-ULS" [Rick Brookhiser] Come and listen to mys tory bout a man named Jed, Poor mountaineer barely kep his family fed... Posted at 09:36 PM "THAT'S NOT A GRAND COALITION" [KJL] That's the ultimate undiplomatic dis to our allies. Posted at 09:35 PM THE DRAFT [Jonathan H. Adler] Kerry's draft answer is a bit disingenuous, as he opposes the administration's proposal to reallocate force strength out of South Korea and elsewhere. Posted at 09:35 PM IRAN - WHAT WILL KERRY DO [John Derbyshire] "Crack down on proliferation... Get together with the British, French,... I'm going to lead the world... If I I have to get tough with Iran, I'll get tough." Who believes Kerry will get tough? Get tough H--O--W? Posted at 09:35 PM THE DRAFT [Jonah Goldberg] Bush should pound Kerry for saying he's against the politics of fear while at the same time the Democrats continually feed the fear that the draft's going to be reinstated. Posted at 09:31 PM N. KOREA, DRAFT [Ramesh Ponnuru] Bush did fine on NK; I thought he won that exchange last time, too, though. Re the draft: Republican strategists really do seem worried about the spread of that idea, and Democrats obviously think it's a good idea to promote it. Posted at 09:31 PM THIS QUESTION [Cliff May] Kerry really is making the argument that Bush should be fired. He really isn’t making the argument that he should be hired. Does he really not need to? I mean this as a serious question, to which I don’t know the answer. Posted at | |||||
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