Rooftop Revolt – By the People

Transcript of Thursday’s presidential debate

KERRY: Well, you know, when I talked about the $87 billion, I made a mistake in how I talk about the war. But the president made a mistake in invading Iraq. Which is worse?

I believe that when you know something’s going wrong, you make it right. …

KERRY: [W]e do have differences. I’m not going to talk about a difference of character. I don’t think that’s my job or my business.

But let me talk about something that the president just sort of finished up with. Maybe someone would call it a character trait, maybe somebody wouldn’t.

But this issue of certainty. It’s one thing to be certain, but you can be certain and be wrong.

It’s another to be certain and be right, or to be certain and be moving in the right direction, or be certain about a principle and then learn new facts and take those new facts and put them to use in order to change and get your policy right.

What I worry about with the president is that he’s not acknowledging what’s on the ground, he’s not acknowledging the realities of North Korea, he’s not acknowledging the truth of the science of stem-cell research or of global warming and other issues.

And certainty sometimes can get you in trouble.

baltimoresun.com – As Kerry hits domestic front, Bush drums security

“Time and again, George Bush has proven that he’s just plain stubborn, out of touch, and unwilling to change course,” Kerry said. To those who would say voters “shouldn’t change horses in midstream,” Kerry retorted: “If your horse is heading downstream towards a waterfall, it’s time to change horses in midstream.”

mjh’s Blog: Can’t Change a Horse in Mid-stream

Well, if the horse ignores your rein and drags you into a raging torrent that is well over his head, maybe you should. mjh [two weeks before]

The American Dream Is at Risk, Kerry Says (washingtonpost.com) By Jim VandeHei

“Time and time again, George Bush has proven that he’s stubborn, out of touch and unwilling to change course,” Kerry said.

Jay Nordlinger on Election 2004 & Debate #1 on National Review Online

Although the two candidates had the same amount of time, Kerry got many, many more words in. And they weren’t rushed words. Kerry spoke at a good, measured pace all through.

Bush said, “We’re makin’ progress” a hundred times — that seemed a little desperate. He also said “mixed messages” a hundred times — I was wishing that he would mix his message. He said, “It’s hard work,” or, “It’s tough,” a hundred times. In fact, Bush reminded me of Dan Quayle in the 1988 debate, when the Hoosier repeated a couple of talking points over and over, to some chuckles from the audience (if I recall correctly).

Staying on message is one thing; robotic repetition — when there are oceans of material available — is another. …

I hate to say it, but often Bush gave the appearance of being what his critics charge he is: callow, jejune, unserious. And remember — talk about repetition! — I concede this as someone who loves the man. …

Why did Bush keep requesting a special 30 seconds to say the same thing over and over? …

I’m thinking that Bush didn’t respect Kerry enough. That he didn’t prepare enough. That he had kind of a disdain for the assignment….

I have a feeling that Bush could have done just the same — exactly the same, no better, no worse — with zero preparation. With no practice at all. Just wingin’ it.

Reaction Shots May Tell Tale of Debate (washingtonpost.com)

Bush has flashed such expressions — and worse — at reporters when they ask him hostile questions. But the public has generally not seen the president’s more petulant side, in part because he is rarely challenged in a public venue. He has held fewer news conferences than any modern predecessor, Congress is in his party’s control, and he has a famously loyal staff. In rare instances when Bush has been vigorously challenged — most recently in interviews with an Irish television journalist and a French magazine — he has reacted with similar indignation.

As questions continued about Bush’s demeanor on Thursday night, his aides have changed their explanation of it. On Thursday night, adviser Karen Hughes said: “On his face, you could see his irritation at the senator’s misrepresentations.” But by Friday morning, Mehlman said: “I don’t know that he was irritated.”

John Kerry for President – Communities

Visit some of our online Kerry-Edwards’ Communities:

* African Americans for Kerry-Edwards
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* Working Families for Kerry-Edwards
* Young Voters for Kerry-Edwards

John Kerry for President – Republicans for Kerry-Edwards

Thousands of Republicans have contacted our campaign to voice their support for a Kerry-Edwards ticket. Fiscal responsibility, military service, foreign policy experience, work as a prosecutor, and hope and optimism are just some of the reasons why Republicans support Kerry-Edwards.

“Long story short: no one was a bigger GWB supporter than me, but I have seen his negativity, ineptitude, and mismanagement over the past 4 years and I can’t wait until Kerry is in the Whitehouse!”