In 1984, Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale squared off for the second debate. Reagan had performed poorly in the first debate and there were real questions as to whether he was capable of discharging his duties as President in the second term. His age was an issue and his debate performance had further accentuated concerns. In the second debate, Reagan made his now famous comment where he said that he would not make age an issue in the campaign. He said he would not exploit, for political purposes, the youth and inexperience of his opponent. That comment brought the house down, resurrected Reagan's fortunes and led him to an overwhelming victory over Mondale in the general election.
We lie on the cusp of a similar juncture in the history of this Presidential election. Bush by all accounts acquitted himself poorly in the first debate. The townhall setting in this the second debate is supposed to play to his strenghts as a compassionate conservative who connects well with lay people. Will he come up with a line that resonates and KO's Kerry tonight? He very well might. Tonight may mark a critical point in this election season.
I have a feeling that Bush will do very well, arrest Kerry's momentum since the last debate and regain the advantage in this election.
1 comment:
I thought the second debate was a tie. Bush was much better compared to the first debate. Kerry was his usual self. Polls show that Kerry had the edge in this debate. These debates seem to be following a similar pattern to what we witnessed in 2000. Gore was supposed to be the better debater. But Bush bested him in the first. Remember Gore sighing and how that was news? In the second debate, Gore was better, but still came in second according to most polls. Gore won the third debate, but it was too little too late. Turn the clock to 2004. Bush is thought to be the better debater. But only his scowls and tepid performance make the news in the first debate. In the second he is more animated, but still Kerry comes out on top. Bush will perhaps win the thrid debate, but will it be a case of too little too late for him? And does this mean, this will be a close election and Bush will be the one contesting the results in the Supreme Court this time? The media must be salivating just thinking of that prospect.
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