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Students analyze candidates’ television battle

Ben Smidt

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Also by Kira Sparks:

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Representative introduces TABOR (April 18, 2005)
House passes energy bill, drilling for oil in arctic refuge (April 25, 2005)
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Doyle proposes veteran funding (March 14, 2005)

by Kira Sparks

Friday, October 1, 2004

Crowds gathered at the Memorial Union Thursday night, anxiously awaiting the beginning of the first presidential debate. President George W. Bush has a record for flustering opponents and appearing calm in the face of tough questions. Many wondered how Democratic candidate John Kerry would handle questions about the war in Iraq and what many call his waffling attitudes.

The crowd at the Union reveled in certain moments of the debate. The atmosphere was notably pro-Kerry and every slip of Bush’s tongue was met with laughter from the people gathered there. Kerry’s arguments were met with cheers.

Back in Florida, as soon as the debate began it was clear certain themes were going to pervade the night’s banter. Bush repeatedly noted that Kerry said this was the “wrong war, wrong place and the wrong time,” while Kerry sought to bring the issue back to Bush’s lack of correct focus in the war on terrorism.

“I will hunt down and kill the terrorists, wherever they are,” Kerry said, stating intentions to continue the war on terror. Kerry was aggravated the U.S. didn’t go after Osama and his men when they were camped at Tora Bora, but instead, “outsourced the job to Afghan warlords.”

One by one, questions regarding foreign policy were asked of the candidates. The main issue of the night was terrorism and the war in Iraq. Kerry and Bush outlined their plans for success in Iraq and Kerry invited voters to view their respective campaign websites to see his four-point plan in full detail. Bush sought to keep the focus on Saddam Hussein’s capture and how he believes it has helped to make the world a safer place.

“Saddam Hussein now sits in a prison cell. America and the world is now safer for it,” Bush said. Kerry countered Bush’s remarks by criticizing Bush for taking the focus off the major threat, Osama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda.

This didn’t stop the ever-present issue of Kerry’s flip-flopping from being addressed by Bush.

“As the politics change, his positions change,” Bush said. Kerry handled this criticism by citing the fact that it was much better to make a mistake in deciding one’s opinion then to make a mistake that would send the country to war.

As the nation watched, students judged for themselves “who” won the debate. And although the crowd leaned to the left, not all attendees believed Kerry did, in fact, walk out as the victor.

“Bush definitely secured his base, and presented himself in a confident and prepared [manner],” said University of Wisconsin sophomore Rachel Moguel.

Many students at the Union, however, said they believed Kerry made better arguments than the incumbent.

“Kerry tore him apart,” Carl Dixon, UW junior, said. “When you hear both sides, one [side] makes sense — and that’s John Kerry.”

Both candidates did keep their calm throughout and the debate passed without any major elements of tension or drama. Each debater was cordial to the other and they complimented each other on their families and love for the country. All the same, many felt Kerry did come across in a better light.

“I feel like Kerry dominated the debate,” Joe Kaser, a student at UW, said. “Everyone in Madison was laughing, and I hope everyone outside Madison was laughing too.”

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Josiah (October 1, 2004 @ 6:10am):

For all the fuss about the format of the debate, I thought it allowed for a thorough explaination of positions without getting caught in bickering over minor points. However, Perhaps my favorite part of the debate was the end. To see Theresa and Laura in the same color dresses was priceless. I wonder if this was one of the rules.

Anonymous (October 1, 2004 @ 7:18am):

I thought it pretty stupid that Bush stumbled over every question. This was decidedly Kerry's debate.

Anonymous (October 1, 2004 @ 9:28am):

Bush looked like a spoiled child who wasn't getting his way through much of the debate. It's just not a good debating tactic to purse your lips and turn away in disgust every time someone makes you angry. And when you do talk, you don't lean on the podium for support. Bush did have a few good points, but they were greatly overshadowed by his apparent confusion and what looked a couple times like a anger/panic mix. I admit, I'm a bit biased, but he just didn't come off well at all.

Anonymous (October 1, 2004 @ 12:42pm):

There is no way that Kerry "won" this debate. Kerry contradicted himself so many times that I actually felt sorry for the guy. I liked his line about how Iraq and the war on terror are two separate entities, but then on another question he criticized Bush because there are so many terrorists entering Iraq. Also, I love how Kerry kept saying that he would promote more alliances if elected president, but yet neither him or Edwards were in their Senate chairs when the new Prime Minister of Iraq was here last week. I could go on forever with how foolish Kerry looked but I don't think there is enough room to do it. The only reason that Bush may have "stumbled" over questions is because his answers were actually true and from the heart. It was obvious that most of Kerry's answers were manufactured.

Anonymous (October 1, 2004 @ 12:46pm):

People need to keep perspective: The opinion of who "won" depends 100% upon the political leanings of the evaluator.

Anonymous (October 1, 2004 @ 2:44pm):

Or better yet, someone should create www.dontvoteblock.com!

B Badger (October 1, 2004 @ 8:50pm):

Anonymous (#4):
1. Sentence #3, beginning with "I liked his line ...". A compound sentence should have the same subject in both parts. The subject of the first simple sentence is "I"; the second, "he."
2. "but yet neither him or Edwards were ..." should read "but neither he nor Edwards was ... ." The 'yet' is unnecessary. Further, he and Edwards are subjects of the sentence. The verb needs to be in the third person singular.
3. "how foolish Kerry looked but ..." should read "how foolish Kerry looked, but ..." The comma is missing before the conjunction.
4. Stylistic point. "It was obvious that ..." If it is obvious to all, does it need to be stated?