Reply #10: Did you see

[ewagner]

Jeff Greenfield on Aaron Brown's show last night? He did a pretty even-handed piece on debate styles of Bush* and Kerry. The most profound thing he said, IMO, was how good Bush* is at "staying on message." He played clips of the debate with Ann Richards where Richards pointed out that Bush* had no experience in government and had failed in every business venture he had ever been in. She did this twice.

The first time, Bush turned it around to say that Richards was "distracting" by "attacking" him and not talking about the issues of welfare, taxes etc (note: I'm doing this from memory so this isn't verbatim).

The second time Bush* rolled over for the sympathy vote. "These personal attacks, I find...er....ummmmm....astonishing." He then went back right on script...talking point after talking point totally unrelated to Richards' charges.

Staying on message is his strength. He memorizes the talking points and only has to find a segue from the question to the talking points.

The format is such that the moderators can't call him on it. Kerry will have to use his precious time to do it himself.