I was just telling my girlfriend about some of this stuff, since we watched the debates together. And I totally agree with Rebel Rouser - Bush didnt really answer any of the questions. I think he did what the Republican party feels they have to do at this point, which is: Stay quiet, dont committ to anything major policy wise, and just keep calling Kerry a flip-flopper.
Seriously, I was really hoping to come away from this first debate with some clear destinctions in my mind about these candidates. But honestly, did Bush say one thing about his plans for the future....ASIDE from "Stay consistent, not waver," etc. Which is all well and good, but doesnt truly give us much to compare to Kerry, who was actually pointing to a plan, a progressive plan to get the US back in the position it was - a position of Respect in the global community.
Republicans seem to be painting a picture of a communist snob, who talks down to Americans (Giuliani afterwards), and isnt consistent - and therefor cannot execute any of his policy - which by the by, we arent going to actually talk about his policy, we are just going to keep on mudslinging.
This is turning into a rant. Im sure ill be back with more later if this thread sticks around. I dont want to get too far ahead of myself. Suffice to say that after the debate, I have more faith in Kerry than any other time in the last 6 months. Which is saying a lot since I was beginning to think id be voting for a candidate I didnt care for at all. Quite the opposite - I think Kerry did very well this evening, and made a clear case for himself as the regime change that so many people, foreign and domestic, are calling for and need.
P.S. Did it bother anyone else that this "Foreign Policy" debate was centered almost entirely on war. I mean, I understand the current climate, but Sudan got about 5 minutes of attention, and I may be understating it when I say its an effing crisis. That issue needed more attention - and I seriously hope it gets more attention in the very near future.