SlowpokeBlog

I know, it sounds predictable coming from me, but I did not expect to write that. Since these debates are now judged almost exclusively on image rather than substance, I thought tonight could be disastrous for Kerry. I could just see the headline: "Aw-Shucks, Winky Charm Clear Winner Over Solemn Intellect." But Bush had nothing to say but the tired old freedom yap yap, and ye olde consistency blah blah. Bush almost made it through without any major boners, but had a classic space cadet moment on the very last question, not unlike the "Have you made any mistakes?" blank at that press conference. Kerry was assertive and clear, though he can never be as elementary as Bush. And therein lies the possibility, of course, that Bush's simplicity of message will come off well among the totally empty-headed.

Bush also coined a new word during the debate: "transshipments."