I think George W. Bush just got himself four more years in the White House.
The reasons are that the man we just saw was comfortable in his own skin. As I’ve said before, politics as often as much about personality as policy. Voters aren’t stupid. They can see someone who is being inauthentic and trying to be someone they are not.
George W. Bush was absolutely authentic. This wasn’t artiface. This wasn’t a façade. This was George W. Bush telling the people of America who he was and what he thinks, no backtracks, no apologies. No “nuance.” Just someone with the strength of his convictions and a deep and abiding faith in the cause of freedom.
Compare that to Kerry’s response speech to Bush. It’s self-centered. It’s petty. It seems small in vision compared to what Bush just said. Bush speaks of a national purpose and the march of freedom. Kerry whines that people are attacking his patriotism.
The choice could not be more clear. Bush now has the vision. We know what he believes. We know what he stands for. The same cannot be said about his opponent.
I think Bush hit a home run tonight, and I think it’s going to be clear very soon.
UPDATE: Kerry’s on now. Talk about petty. The shouts from the crowd don’t help much either. Tough luck trying to harp on meanness in politics now for the Kerry campaign. He may be laughing on the outside, but something tells me he’s going to be going unhinged soon… I have a feeling we’re on the cusp of the Kerry campaign’s meltdown. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
The headline on tomorrow’s evening news will be the hurricane in Florida. I fail to see how Bush gets any lasting bump from this speech since most people were long ago asleep before he said anything memorable. If his final moments were replayed over and over on the nightly news in the coming days with countless commentators cheering on his “home run”, then Bush would have some serious momentum. Mother Nature does not appear likely to allow that to happen though.
However, reports indicate Kerry is on the verge of making a monumental mistake in attacking Dick Cheney’s Vietnam deferments. In a nation of flag-waving chickenhawks who believe sacrifice to country is the obligation of others, Cheney will come out on top of that battle. The ploy also ensures that Kerry will get continued criticism of making his own military service in Vietnam the centerpiece of his campaign. Kerry continues to prove that his worst enemy in this campaign is himself. If Kerry responded with rational aggression to the four-day GOP hatefest in Madison Square Garden, he would fare much better than by tossing a gasoline-soaked rag on top of Zell Miller’s steaming head.
For the Democrats, the damage has been done. Bush’s best moments were right at the 10PM hour when people were waiting for the news. The national media doesn’t matter that much.
This was all about impressions. Bush made a good one. The punditocracy isn’t going to change that, nor will some hurricane. Had Bush not had the last part of the speech, you’d probably be right, it would not have been memorable. He redeemed himself in the end, and it was brilliant.
My hunch is that swing voters are more likely to sporadically watch the network nightly news rather than Fox or CNN. While Bob Schieffer and George Stephanopolous don’t hold as much clout over public opinion as Walter Cronkite and David Brinkley did in generation’s past, I still believe the mainstream punditocracy influences swing voters far more than the candidates themselves since the pundits always get the last word…over and over and over. The Wellstone Memorial wouldn’t have been nearly as devastating for Dems if local media hadn’t constantly reminded everyone how offended certain groups were by the event. Gore would have maintained a healthy poll lead after the first debate had the media not told Americans that their instincts were wrong in assessing that Gore had won the debate when in fact Bush had.
I expect far more trouble for Kerry based on the comments he plans to make tomorrow than I do over Bush’s mediocre speech. He’ll get a bump, possibly even a 5-7 point bump, but he said nothing powerful enough to keep the public distracted from the nation’s disastrous course for the next 60 days.
This speech by Kerry tonight will be worse for him than Dukakis in a tank.
He will seem so petty after a speech like Bush gave…and bringing up the Vietnam stuff…argh…how dumb…all he is doing is giving the Swift Vets more of an opening…
Bush hit a huge home run tonight…brilliant…
Kerry looks so lame by comparison giving his response speech…clearly a sign of desparation…
You know, listening to Bush’s speech, you’d never know he was already the President.
Seriously, I heard nothing about what he’s succeeded at for the last 4 years; I heard a lot of stuff that made me say “well, if that’s such a great idea, why didn’t you do it already?”
He spoke like a challenger, not an incumbent. That makes his promises rather hollow, if you ask me.
I was kinda unimpressed with W’s speech. He hit alot of points, but it was for the most part standard speech faire. His delivery though was very good, but I just think he didn’t do enough to quell doubts some people have. Overall though, taking account that his speech was a good summary of his achievements and goals (I especially liked his point about what he’s done in the middle east) I give him an A-
“Seriously, I heard nothing about what he’s succeeded at for the last 4 years.”
I think the majority of the viewers tonight will disagree with you. He came off very Presidential, very strong, and most importantly, very confident. Great speech, and I have to say, as a Republican, I am feeling VERY confident right now.
I’ll give Dubya a C+. Kerry was a C+ as well, so little advantage either way.
VP speeches–Edwards C, Cheney C-
The best speeches in both conventions came from the sidelines.
Honestly, it mattered little what Bush said since the moment people will remember was that the man almost broke down crying.
Prior to that point, the speech was a B-.
That moment saved the speech.
In a nation of flag-waving chickenhawks who believe sacrifice to country is the obligation of others, Cheney will come out on top of that battle.
Mark, I think I speak for everyone who’s ever served (With the possible exception of Kos) when I say, “Put down the bong, take a walk to clear your head, and then go **** yourself.” I’ve had it up to here with you little pissant hippie wannabes from the ’60s Re-enactment Society peddling that chickenhawk meme. Why don’t you try asking those who’ve served who they’re supporting this election?
I think the majority of the viewers tonight will disagree with you.
Well, I’m sure you can get a transcript. Prove me wrong.
One for Ages
Cybrludite, I’ve been called many things in my life, but I must congratulate you on being the first to call me a “hippie”. The point of my post was that most Americans are like Dick Cheney. They’re all for war….as long as someone else is fighting it. Efforts by Kerry to make Cheney look cowardly will not be met with sympathy by the plurality of Americans who, like Cheney, support the wars that spill the blood of the young men who grew up across the tracks. As for asking those who’ve served who they’re supporting this election, I could ask my Vietnam veteran father but the “John Kerry for President” bumper sticker on his car tells me all I need to know. My grandpa fought in World War II….and is a rock-solid Kerry guy. My co-worker is a decorated Air Force pilot from Vietnam….also a Kerry supporter. My dad’s best friend was a forward observer in Vietnam and he supports….you guessed it, John Kerry. That’s 4-0 for Kerry just among family and close acquaintances. My co-worker has a cold one with fellow veterans at the VFW in town and told me that one lonely Bush supporter could be found among the dozen or so vets that evening when the topic of presidential politics came up.
A representative sample? Highly doubtful. But you asked me to ask those who’ve served who they’re supporting this election…and I gave you my answer.
What’s funnier than pompous pronouncements on who gets to talk about war and when?
Not much. Using the word chickenhawk means you’ve stopped thinking.
I didn’t call you a hippie. I called you a little pissant hippie wannabe. There is a difference. I should also point out that your claimed experience is utterly at odds with mine, and with those of other folks I’ve discussed the topic with.
bush really shouldn’t have won the election cause he is only trying tohepl the rich