Bush will be desperate for a 'win' on Wed. nite, his desperation will show

[Lex]

because he doesn't do desperation well.

When he is desperate, he can't play it off. He screeches, he whines, he pleads, and he ends up looking ridiculous.

Today his handlers don't even have him in preparation for the debate, they have him talking tough in front of his conservative base--trying to rally them.

James Carville once said, "If you are trying to 'rally your base' this late in game, instead of winning over independents and undecideds, then you've already lost."

[ArkDem]

1. You are right. I think that at least half of the conservatives

will be voting for Kerry!

[SheilaT]

2. He came close to having

a complete meltdown last time, until the voices in his head calmed him down a bit. Look for it this time. I can hardly wait to see him totally self-destruct on prime time television.

[kentuck]

14. I would say his attack on Charlie Gison was a meltdown...

Any other candidate would have paid a heavy price for what he did..

[CityHall]

3. Trying to build his confidence again

He looked better, at least to his base, in the second debate. He was able to do his cocky, feeding off the audience thing like he does with the handpicked crowds. When he actually has to stand behind the podium and seem statesmanlike without prepared notes, he comes off inept and unqualified. I'm expecting whining, and a lot of "librul" slurs, since he doesn't have anything else of note.

What I'd really like to see is a debate on a single issue, high school style, where his inability to formulate a coherent argument would really be shown up. With two minutes per topic, it's way too easy for him to get away with mumbling something he's heard his advisors say, and people make the connection to the talking point they've heard dozens of times before - even if *'s presentation of it is incoherent.

[andyhappy]

7. game show host

yeah, Bush sure looked better walking around with the mike than behind a podium, but as soon as he gets defensive he starts bobbing his head back and forth like a pigeon or something.

You think Kerry oughta cock the hammer and really go for him or do you think he should play it the same way he has the last couple of debates?

[LuminousX]

4. Bob Barr is questioning whether to vote for Bush or not

I believe that is a sign that the hardcore conservatives are having their doubts. Their Man-On-The-Inside, Dick Cheney, did little to quell their fears, especially getting beaten down for his obvious lies. Somewhere along the line, they must realize that Bush isn't helping the long term prospects of the Republican party and I dare say they are having Nixonian anxiety.

[yellowcanine]

5. I believe Carville's quote was along the lines of "Show me a campaign

rallying their base and I will show you a campaign in the toilet."

[Lex]

6. You're probably closer to it

and I should've pointed out that I was paraphrasing.

But still, the gist of what Carville is saying is so true!

[Mike L]

8. Kerry just needs to stick with what gave him the win in the 1st debate.

The "same" Kerry will show up for all 3 debates. Bush will be desperate and will look even more ridiculous.

[meg]

9. Being propped up IS his preparation

I think that is why he made a 'major policy' speech after the first debate. Bush needs his ego massaged by the 'adoring' crowds.

[venus]

10. As long as Kerry is energized and not boring, he'll be fine. n/t

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

11. Kerry needs to go directly after Dubya's credibility

He should make it the focus of his attack on Bush with every response that he gives. All that Bush has left is the image he has tried to cultivate as a straight shooter and that people know where he stands. Kerry should highlight the remark of Bush on the Dred Scott case and why it's a code word to Evangelicals for Roe v. Wade. Kerry needs to emphasize that Bush is not a straight shooter with the American people and that he hides his true extremist face. He could get Bush to fall apart before the American public on live TV on Wednesday like a stale pretzel.

[nostamj]

12. look what BOB BARR (R-Ga) has to say about conservatives...

In a tight race down to the wire, he says, "those dissatisfied conservative voters will become increasingly important, but it's going to be impossible for the president to pull them back in with hollow, last-minute promises."

MUCH more here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1040974

[flpoljunkie]

13. And James Carville is exactly right. Bush campaigning in CO for heaven's

sake! This was a major red state in 2000.

[MsMagnificent]

15. It'd be great if he can goad Chimpy even more than last time! :>