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And now, the important part of the debate

by Greg Krehbiel on 1 October 2004

Sometimes I’m tempted to call the post-debate debate the worst part, but actually it’s the most important. Our immediate experience of an event doesn’t influence our thoughts as much as our later interpretation of that event. We ponder it. We mull it over. We look at it from different angles. We talk about it amongst ourselves. And its influence slowly seeps into the consciousness.

Remember Anita Hill. Immediately after the hearings, the majority of Americans believed Clarence Thomas, but after a year of relentless re-interpretation in the media, the majority believed Ms. Hill.

The same happens with these debates, which is why the spin doctors get on the case as soon as possible.

So, on morning-after reflection, I think the debate confirmed my opinions of the two candidates.

Kerry is definitely the more polished speaker. Bush stumbles and fumbles and sometimes doesn’t know what to say. Kerry was more likeable, I thought. He smiled and nodded when Bush made a point. It looked a little forced, but it looked far better than Bush’s goofy smirking grin.

Bush seems more resolute, but not by a lot. And he doesn’t use his resolution to its full advantage. When Kerry complained that the Bushies didn’t plan enough, Bush should have countered that planning is nice, but the situation is constantly changing, which is why resolution and firm conviction is more necessary than advance planning. He could have characterized Kerry as the abstract European intellectual while he was the hard-working American who went in and got the job done. But he didn’t do it.

Kerry also missed some good opportunities. When Bush said that he sees how hard the work is by watching television coverage, Kerry should have pointed out that he’s been there.

But all in all, I think it was a non-event. The interesting thing will be to watch how the two sides try to spin this non-event into a silk purse — or a web.

2004-10-01  »  Greg Krehbiel