WP: Rivals Draw New Material From Second Debate (Maturity; * "unhinged"

[kskiska]

Kerry Questions Bush's Maturity as President Targets Senator's Past Positions

ELYRIA, Ohio, Oct. 9 -- John F. Kerry repeatedly questioned President Bush's maturity and temperament Saturday as the rivals tried to capitalized on their second debate, while a reenergized Bush vowed not to let the senator hide from his political past.

Both camps found enough in Friday night's debate to claim victory and to hit the weekend hustings with big smiles and new material aimed at maintaining the offensive before the candidates' final face-off Wednesday in Arizona.

(snip)

Kerry, referring to a moment when Bush was so eager to respond that he interrupted the moderator, recalled for a rally audience of 10,000 on a community college lawn that he had become "a little worried at one point -- I thought the president was going to attack Charlie Gibson."

"America needs new leadership -- not a single-minded leader, but a clear-headed leader. Not a headstrong leader, but a well-reasoned leader," Kerry said. The Massachusetts senator criticized Bush for "refusing to show the maturity" to be patient in building a bigger alliance on Iraq.

(snip)

Kerry's campaign, trying to draw attention to the occasionally loud answers from Bush that his aides described as feisty, sought to portray the president as unhinged, issuing a three-page document describing him as "Nixon-like" and "hot under the collar."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20882-2004Oct9.html

[AirAmFan]

1. Great news! Kerry is FORCING the media to give Stupid's debate meltdown the

same coverage they gave to Gore's sighs and encroachment on Stupid's "space" four years ago. I was afraid that, once again, the media were going to give Stupid a pass.

A few minutes after the debate Pat Buchanan on MSNBC praised Stupid's shouting down the moderator as "manly". Gwen Ifil showed the meltdown clip on an episode of "Washington Week in Review" many fewer people than usual were able to see. There was a AP "Politics" column that few newspapers picked up. Other than those venues, I've seen NO TRACE of Stupid's weird misbehavior in the media, and I've been looking hard!

If nothing else, Kerry's attention to this will put TREMENDOUS pressure on Stupid going into the final debate on Wednesday.

[loyalsister]

2. This meltdown is serious

In a variation on a line he used twice in the debate, Bush repeatedly said: "He can run, but he cannot hide."
I really doubt ANY handler approved that line. He sounds like he's stalking Kerry in order to have a duel or something. He's gone way over the edge.

[underpants]

8. Gee that line sure sounds familiar......who did W use that line on before?

:eyes:........:think:..........oh yeah he used it on Osaman Bin Laden


ABC poited this out last night. You don't think that was planned? The next thing you know 60% of Americans will think that Kerry was responsible for 9/11. I'm not kidding either.

[Demonaut]

3. Charlie Gibson would've kicked shrubs ass...lol , CATFIGHT!!!!

[UpInArms]

7. Charlie Gibson was/is a lousy moderator/mediator

he (Gibson) allowed that POS to step over the debate rules and didn't say anything - just gave him the floor - he should have slapped him down verbally and told him to STFU.

[BUSHOUT]

4. This is the BEST QUOTE EVER from KERRY!!! ...today. :)

"America needs new leadership -- not a single-minded leader, but a clear-headed leader. Not a headstrong leader, but a well-reasoned leader,"
YES!!

The Massachusetts senator criticized Bush for "refusing to show the maturity" to be patient in building a bigger alliance on Iraq.

NEW KERRY ANGLE: Bush is stuborn, headstrong, unreasonable, hot-headed, and immature person. Thus, he can't function on the world stage...make progess with world leaders.

I've watched him unable to function with a sizable number of nations. One of the stupid reasons he couldn't function is his attitude during debate and negotiation. Common sense dictates how to treat both friends and enemies when you lead a nation.
Unfortunately Bush lacks common sense. He has a common sense deficit, without question.

[kskiska]

5. * once attacked John McCain as unfit because of his temper

Suggested he was mentally deficient because of his POW experience.

[snippy]

6. Good point. Kerry should be prepared to use this, especially if Bush

surrogates attack him for raising the question of Bush's mental stability. It would be great if Bush was forced to defend his conduct during the 2000 South Carolina republican primary.

[JuniorPlankton]

9. Brilliant, Senator!!!

[Toots]

10. This is a really good one.. Maturity... You know the "Adults"

This one is going to really cause the burn. This is their hallmark. They claim to be "The Adults" but the reality is quite different and Kerry is capitalizing on that fact. Love it!!