Some scheme behind bush's behavior in the debate?

[Bran Bal]

Does anyone else think that bush seemed TOO bad in the debate?

Maybe the idea was to make him look like a moron in the first debate, but have him doing better in the other 2? That way the media spin can be "Bush makes come back - 1000 times better than before - crushes kerry" or something of that nature. Playing the low expectation then doing better than expected game is what they did in 2000.

It's also possible the election is rigged and they know they will win regardless, and thus really don't give a damn how well they do in the debates as the out come has already been guaranteed. The way he was behaving was not the way a person who has something to lose behaves.

It was almost as if his entire attitude and behavior was saying "I don't give a damn how I come across in this debate"

[LiberalVoice]

1. I disagree...

If you've ever watched Bush speak you would notice that there really isn't much difference. The man is an idiot and fucks up every time he gets up there to talk. When you put what that looks like on a split screen with a debater as good as John Kerry you're going to make Bush look like shit.

[aquart]

7. Think they'll abandon the split screen now?

[LiberalVoice]

11. They can't.

Unless they can find a different way to conceal the debate from looking like John Kerry(The Dad) preaching at(Shrub) like he was a little hcild.

Thats why the kept it split screen the entire time. I've never seen a debate where it was split the entire time. But alas, Kerry would dwarf Bush and make him look stupid.

[TexasSissy]

2. Absolute nonsense. The 1st debate was critical. No one besides an idiot

would do anything besides do his utmost to win that one. THAT'S the one that most people watch. Many people will never see the next two debates. THIS was the one to win, and Bush certainly did his best.

It's just that Bush was thrown by being confronted with facts and an air of calm and confidence. He's been surrounded by yes people for so long, including the media, that apparently he'd forgotten that other people know the facts behind the rhetoric and one-liners. As well as the truth about him and his failed policies.

[Radio-Active]

3. no, that is what Bush is like

without a script. Few people ever see him like that. Actually, he probably did the best he's ever done without a script - and you have to consider he probably had many of his lines memorized.

[Cyrano]

4. Rove would never come up with a tactic like that.

Bush came across like a screaming asshole. No matter what your strategy, something like that is difficult, if not impossible to overcome.

The American people finally got to see him for what he is. As for those still backing him, they're hopeless, lost, clueless souls.

[aquart]

5. He can't do better on domestic issues.

His domestic policies are a disaster.

Unless he wants to try and trip Kerry up by going for decisive answers on gay marriage and abortion, but the majority of the country DISLIKES George's position on gay marriage and abortion.

Still, Rove has promised October surprises and it IS October. Wonder if they will be as good as the fake Turkey in the Baghdad airport?

[Jade Fox]

6. We were seeing the man Dr. Justin Frank wrote about in "Bush on the Couch"

A man who can't bear for anyone to contradict him, who can't bear criticism,
who can't bear to be faced with the results of his actions, and who genuinely
believes that if he thinks something is right, than it is.

Nope, you can't fake behavior that bizarre.

[Goldmund]

8. I thought as bad as he was, Bush was better in the debate...

...than he was at any of his press conferences.

[liberal N proud]

9. Bush with out a script. He can not adlib even the most casual conversation

[Hello_Kitty]

13. That's why I'm thinking he's not going to do that well next week

If the townhall format is truly un-scripted, then * won't be able to handle real questions that aren't soundbites from fawning supporters hand-picked by Rove.

[LibertyorDeath]

10. This is a definite possibility

"It's also possible the election is rigged and they know they will win regardless , and thus really don't give a damn how well they do in the debates as the out come has already been guaranteed."

[Malva Zebrina]

12. I agree with what everyone has said so far

but I am puzzled as to why it began immediately--and not after the first or second question. I have a nagging feeling that something was said beforehand or backstage and an admitted fantasy that Kerry said to him as he was shaking his hand: "Let's get on with it, loser" It seems to me something triggered this before the debate even started. His behavior was obviously weird and bizarre as the first question was being asked.

[sundancekid]

14. this one appears to be the LATEST desperate spin ... plan to stay at DU?

[bandy]

15. You have described my feelings to a T

I kept thinking:
1. This is a setup for the next debate cause he knows the war is a no-win situation.
2. He has decided he doesn't want to win 11/2. Actually he doesn't have to - the damage he has achieved will affect this country for decades and give his cronies space and time to do what ever they want to do.
This has been bothering me a lot.

[Bran Bal]

17. Number 2 is interesting

It could be subconsciously he knows he has no place being in the position he is in and wants out.

Another possibility that occurred to me is that he may be so deluded he truly believes just about everyone likes him and agrees with him considering those are the only people he lets him self come in to contact with. As a result he has a high ego and is getting over confident and is therefore not very concerned about doing well in the debates.

[madmom]

16. I heard the questions for town-hall format...

where to be turned in ,in advance so as to eliminate duplicate questions. yeah right!

[dumpster_baby]

18. you know, that is a GOP talking point

don't spread it around.

[annabanana]

19. I don't give a damn because I know the fix is in!

Read this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2441021#2441632

and join this group:
http://www.votewatch.us/

[Gin]

20. once a moron.........always a "moran..........that's his MO........expect

nothing more.