Debate--Kerry Tales, Live

1) I've never changed my view on Iraq. (uh, no)

2) Shinseki was fired as Army Chief of Staff (Jonah Goldberg: "Was not canned for saying we need more troops. He said we need more troops because he was canned. Why can't Bush say that?")

3) I don't think you can rely just on sanctions (to deter Iran)

4) Does Kerry favor the draft?

5) Reason America hasn't been attacked since 9/11--tax cuts?

(ARRRGG--why mention Patriot Act?)

6) Bush's prescription drug plan is a subsidy for the drug companies.

7) "We both believe, as lawyers--I'm a lawyer too. . . "

8) "John Edwards and I support tort reform."

(Bush HOME RUN: "We have a deficit because we went into recession. . .and because we're at war. And I'm going to spend what it takes to win that war.")

(how come no one asks Kerry why he lied about where he was on Christmas eve 1968?)

(This is your President; this is your President on speed.)

9) "This president declared [the Kyoto treaty] dead. . .and does nothing to try to fix it." Compare Kerry's own web site:

John Kerry and John Edwards believe that the Kyoto Protocol is not the answer.

The Senate, including John Kerry voted against Kyoto 95-0.

10) "I believe in the Patriot Act"

(WOW--great question on stem cells from Elizabeth. The Corner agrees.)

(George Bush--not a Constitutional lawyer, especially about Dred Scott)

(Tough last question to Bush--decisions he regrets. Bush talks about what he did right, and avoids criticizing bad appointments (Paul O'Neill? Telegram for Paul O'Neill?). But no answer would suffice.)

11) Kerry answers as if the question was about Bush's bad decisions, not Kerry's. "Look into your gut; gut-check time."

12) "I'm an optimist." ??? If Kerry's an optimist, I'm a Marxist.

CONCLUSION: Bush was both more rested and relazed--and more "up"--than the first debate. ("Coffee--picks you up and relaxes you.") He effectively deployed humor that resonated with Americans. Unlike last time, Bush knew his facts (except on Constitutional law). And he hit Kerry's flip-flops, weak Senate record, "global test," and the Duelfer report. Last debate he look pissed; this time, Bush was strong.

Kerry looked uncomfortable. He was flatly wrong several times--see numbers 1, 2, 6, 9, above. And he repeated answers from last time.

This was a huge win for Bush.