Bush finally wins a debate

Squeaks out Kerry

Published on October 13, 2004 By Draginol In Politics

Kerry seemed a bit off his game today and Bush seemed very much on his game. This time I give Bush the edge. He seemed relaxed, strong on the issues, and got all his points out. Kerry wasn't that bad but he was a lot more defensive than I would have thought.

I don't think it will make much difference though. Bush blew the first debate so badly when the audience was so big. The audience here was much smaller than it was in the first debate. Kerry also played a bit of dirty pool with the lesbian issue and Bush got that key 1990 Kerry vote on the first Gulf War.

Here is a recap of the debate scoring:

Debate #1:
Kerry 5
Bush 2

Debate #2:
Cheney 2
Edwards 1

Debate #3:
Kerry 5
Bush 4

Debate #4:
Kerry 3
Bush 5

Final Score:
Kerry: 14
Bush: 13

Comments (Page 1)

Myrrander

on Oct 13, 2004

Despite our differences, I agree 100% with this final analysis. The President certainly won this debate, although I thought Senator Kerry did quite well -- it's almost the opposite of my idea of the second debate.

Draginol

on Oct 13, 2004

Well i think we've called them pretty accurately. Though I got beat up for calling the second Prez debate for Kerry, I think most people came to the same conclusion by a narrow majority.

sandy2

on Oct 13, 2004

I think this debate was a tie, unlike the last one, which I think Kerry won by 1 point, and the reason I think it was a tie is because the president continued to smirk throughout, and did not hit on the key facts.

hitparade

on Oct 13, 2004

President Bush outclassed kerry. A slam dunk. Brilliant! I almost felt sorry for the droppy-faced kerry. Naa! His fake tan faded, too.

Ciperl

on Oct 13, 2004

I definately agree about the final analysis. But it was interesting to see that before these debates began. People thought that the President would do better on the first debate because it was on foreign policy. And that he would do worse on the last debate because it was on the economy. But suprisingly enought, it was the other way around. The President seemed more confident and definitive in his answers and Kerry seemed to just say "I've got a plan" and didn't give anything of deeper value.

Myrrander

on Oct 13, 2004

In my interest in voter education, I wish the crowd from the first debate had tuned into tonight. George Bush was even stronger tonight than in the second debate -- he illustrated his ideas very well.

apdelong31

on Oct 13, 2004

As much as I hate to say, Kerry didn't seem as sharp as he did in the last two debates, but I also agree that I don't think it will cancel out the first debate by any stretch.

But I'm curious as to where the scoring is coming from?

Myrrander

on Oct 13, 2004

Scoring? Draginol and I have both posted our "gut" feelings after every debate. Drag's a bit more from the right than me, but we've agreed on the winner of every debate. Does that mean you have to believe us? Hell, no! But that's the basis for "scoring."

Draginol

on Oct 13, 2004

Like Myrrander said, we're just scoring from our gut.

If you want to get really statistical, I would also multiplay the scores by an audience factor:

Debate #1: X5

Debate #2: X1

Debate #3: X3

Debate #4: X3

Myrrander

on Oct 13, 2004

It's a good breakdown, Drag.

CrispE

on Oct 13, 2004

Draginol:

CNN's undecided audience had it 10-7 (7 tie) Kerry. This is a link to Olberman's blog. Link

He saw it very tilted to Kerry. I have yet to see any pundits call it for Bush.

Myrrander

on Oct 13, 2004

Well, hell. I don't give a care for pundits. This one was Bush's despite all the chatter that called it otherwise. I'd say it was an even greater victory with all the people who said Bush couldn't win this one.

Mitch21

on Oct 13, 2004

thats why i dont read polls about debates, they misrepresent information. Bush clearly won in the debate, and you only have to look at the forum to realize this. What the CNN execs think is of no consequence to me.

I would say either Kerry won slightly(as draginol and myrrander have scored) or it was a tie. In any case, I think Bush won not by points, but simply because everyone expected Kerry to beat him by a landslide, and now they realize(or i'd hope they do) that Bush's accent doesnt corralate with his intelligence. Somehow i think the polls will go back to the way they were pre-debates.

Myrrander

on Oct 13, 2004

No, Mitch, I would say as far as "points" go, Bush won this third debate.

CrispE

on Oct 13, 2004

Mitch21:

I offered the comments as a reference. I also don't care for the pundits but they do influence opinion. Bush's statement about not saying he thought Bin Laden was not so much a threat is getting a lot of play because he did say that he thought he wasn't much of a threat in the Spring of 2002.

Other than that, it was the same ole same ole.

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