What impact did the last debate have on surprising WI primary???

[SangamonTaylor]

I thought that JRE did a very good job of distinguishing himself from Kerry. Not only did he make the NAFTA distinction, but his ability to provide a straight-forward answer to a question is what I respect most about JRE. Edwards will answer the question directly, then reframe the question to present the issue in the best way for our party. Kerry seems to divert in some of his questions in an effort to go the roundabout way. It just doesn't seem as effective to me.

I didn't like the way Kerry seemed to skirt around the question of whether he felt responsibility for the war in Iraq. It seemed a bit like Gore when Gore/* would debate and have these answers that seemed to the average voter to be exactly the same, or always an attempt to avoid or deflect the issue.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. I would have trouble supporting Edwards seeing....

that he is fully backing Bush's illegal war in Iraq.

I'll vote for Edwards, but hesitantly.

Kerry was right to critisize the war and offer an alternative
on foreign policy. Edwards is too much like Lieberman for me on
this issue.

[SangamonTaylor]

2. as far as answers

from what I've seen, Edwards and Kerry are identical on this issue. They both wish to internationalize the troops. Edwards wants to bring in NATO along the border to end the influx of foreign fighters and allow American's to concentrate on security in the most troublesome areas.

Only Kerry wont admit that he played a part in the march to war and that he bears some responsibility for it.

[elsiesummers]

3. I agree about style of answers.

Edwards has a more direct style of answering. His yes or no answers are such a relief after so many years of complex answers

Kerry does talk all around the question sometimes - a bit like Gore - that carefullness - and trying to be all things to all people - it's quite dangerous. Was especially noticable on the Gay marriage question in the debate.

This is where Howard Dean really brought something to this race. I think that (while I found it annoying) he persued the Nader voters by saying specifically that he "appealed to voters that think Democrats and Republicans sound just alike." Dean does understand that the biggest problem with the Gore campaign was the waffley blurring over-careful answers.

Edwards also utilizes clear deliniation on positions and direct answers.

The wishy washy Kerry answers are probably my biggest problem with Kerry, as a candidate.

[tobius]

4. Kerry answers questions like he thinks he's supposed to

His style is soooo 90's! In todays world everyone knows the technique of "framing your answer to the question that you want" that when he does it so obviously it doesn't just come across as "smooth" it comes across as if he thinks his audience is a bunch of children.

He's stuck in yesterdays playbook; whereas Edwards first response is so direct that it is refreshing and surprising. (Edwards can still dance around a question but his style is much more "sincere".)


Facts are facts and will not disappear on account of your likes.
Jawaharlal Nehru (1889 - 1964)

[SangamonTaylor]

5. you are describing exactly how I feel about Kerry's speaking style

It is the one thing that really bothers me, and has me fearing that general election voters will be turned off by wandering answers.