Due to limited time (and with my travel schedule heating up over the next couple of weeks), I promise to make this my last article on the Presidential Debates. Unfortunately, I won't be able to see the one I really wanted to watch (Cheney vs. Gum Chewer), but such is life. I've spoken to several people over the past three days regarding Bush's performance in the debate last week. I reiterate that I think it was a tie (when you factor in content). I actually absorbed the debates three times (on the radio, on video, and the transcripts). In both the audio and video formats, Kerry won the debate. Reading the transcript, Bush is the clear winner. He knew the difference between "plutonium" (which is what Kerry said) and "enriched uranium" (which is what the N. Koreans used to make their nukes).
It's important to note that when I say "won" the debate, I'm not talking about being more honest or accurate. "Winning" a debate means convincing people that you're right and your opponent is wrong. Bush's poor performance on Thursday cannot be understated.
However, recent developments have surfaced which may explain why Bush looked so peeved, and why Kerry may have done better than he would have. This weekend, it was revealed at LGF and Drudge that Slick Johnny apparently brought something with him to the debate (and took it out of his pocket) in violation of the rules. According to the rules that were agreed upon by both sides, neither candidate could bring notes, cards, or even pens. The notepads and pens provided to the candidates were placed on the podiums by members of the Commission on Presidential Debates. This was to ensure that neither side would cheat (or even give the impression they were cheating).
It goes without saying that a candidate who brought notes (or cue cards) would have an advantage over someone who was doing it 'cold.' After seeing the article at LGF, and examining the photographs here, I was still unable to determine if Kerry had actually taken anything out of his pocket.
Fortunately, my wife had videotaped the debate, and I watched it once again. Sure enough, right after the candidates shake hands (and go back to their respective podiums) John Kerry clearly reaches into his breast pocket, pulls something out, places it on the podium, then unfolds it! Anyone who videotaped this debate owes it to themselves to look at this part. It's not difficult to locate, and it's as clear as a bell.
So Slick Johnny first gives Bush the old Bluto "crusher" handshake (with late release) which is uber-socially retarded to begin with. Then, he takes out some notes (or something) he brought with him (in clear violation of the rules). Next, he proceeds to lie and half-truth his way thought the debate, with nothing but the highest level of confidence. Wow! So this is megalomania.... And I thought Hillary was bad.
Don't bother waiting for Dan Rather or Tom Brokaw to report on this flagrant violation of the debate rules (which should disqualify Kerry). Even if they were to report on this, it would be a hatchet job on "bloggers" (talking about how Bush's campaign team has sour grapes that they lost). Either way, I've been hard on the Bush team for not being more prepared (and for making faces). Now, I'm (once again) calling it like I see it. Kerry clearly broke the rules. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise.
Update: Although I said that the "mainstream" media won't mention this story, if the DNC is able to come up with a believable lie to explain it, the media will trip all over themselves to report it. Until then, they'll remain stone silent (like they were for the first month of the Swift Vets story).
