Town-Hall Debate

The fact check at the end showed that Bush had received $84 from partial interest in a timber company.

Bush got a laugh when he scoffed at Kerry\'s contention that he had received $84 from "a timber company."  Said Bush, "I own a timber company? That\'s news to me."

In fact, according to his 2003 financial disclosure form, Bush does own part interest in "LSTF, LLC", a limited-liability company organized "for the purpose of the production of trees for commercial sales." (See "supporting documents" at right.)

So Bush was wrong to suggest that he doesn\'t have ownership of a timber company. And Kerry was correct in saying that Bush\'s definition of "small business" is so broad that Bush himself would have qualified as a "small business" in 2001 by virtue of the $84 in business income.

>>>Link<<<

Originally posted by Ginko
The fact check at the end showed that Bush had received $84 from partial interest in a timber company.



>>>Link<<<

The problem is, Kerry put it way over everyone\'s head.  Not an effective argument if no one understands what you are talking about.

This was a much more even debate. Kerry and Bush both had their moments. In particular I liked the point Kerry made about Missouri being the third largest country in the "Coalition of the Willing" and his argument about not "legislating religion" when it comes to abortion.

When Bush came back with his For/Against statement on the partial birth abortions I think it kind of made him look a little bad. Especially after Kerry talked about the issue not being as easy as yes or no when their are other factors involved. I think that question may have gotten Kerry some supporters.

Bush owned Kerry when the lady brought up the question about punitive damages and trial lawyers. Kerry was trying to talk his way out of the question and giving political answers and Bush came right back and called him out about not even showing up to vote on the same things he talked about in his answer.

Also, Bush always wants to respond to every rebuttal but doesn\'t always offer anything worth continuing for. When he forced the moderator to give him some more time by talking over him I at least expected some insight on the statement.

The issue of Canadian drugs was also a strong point for Kerry. He kind of painted Bush into a corner on that one.

Kerry was STRUGGLING with the Health Care question. It seemed like he was either channeling GWB or he was making up his answer on the spot.

Not an effective argument if no one understands what you are talking about.

He just meant that when Bush says Kerry is going to affect hundreds of thousands of small businesses with his glorious () tax plan, Bush is including such small businesses as George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. It\'s a bogus statement on Bush\'s behalf.

Overall, I thought W. did better this time around. Fundamentally, I know I still have some major problems with him, but after the debate I just felt like we were in good hands for some reason.

Point for point, though, Kerry is still on the ball. The only thing that stung was when Bush pointed out the billions Kerry\'d save by rolling back tax cuts to the rich and the trillions he\'d spend to fulfill his promises.

That left a bitter taste in my mouth and Kerry didn\'t defend it at all except to say he\'d also stop corporate giveaways.

-Dan

[clips]

Originally posted by Eiksirf
Point for point, though, Kerry is still on the ball. The only thing that stung was when Bush pointed out the billions Kerry\'d save by rolling back tax cuts to the rich and the trillions he\'d spend to fulfill his promises.

That left a bitter taste in my mouth and Kerry didn\'t defend it at all except to say he\'d also stop corporate giveaways.

-Dan

if you read between the lines tho both candidates are going to stumble in the area of taxes..hey i like the bush tax cuts and all but i know at some point WE are goiing to have to pay for it....that and bush has already stated that he will spend as much as it takes to defend the country...and he told you that straight up...as far as kerry is concerned it\'s a no -brainer that taxes are definitely goin to be raised in his plan as well..all those idea\'s he has and you think we\'re not gonna get hit?...

bottomline imo..

bush is raisin taxes and pracically doubling the deficit..(iraq/homeland security/tax cuts)

kerry..is raising taxes..(by trying to balance the budget/getting revenue to support his programs/ and also spending money on defense...

i just broke it down loosely in a nutshell...it\'s a lose lose situation as long as iraq is in peril..and as long as we spend huge capital on the war on terror and defending the country...

[Titan]

I unfortunately missed the debate. I recorded it but tape ran out an hour into it so I didn\'t get it all. I think I\'ll just download it. Any links?

You didn\'t miss much - pretty even in most respects.  The debate didn\'t sway anyone from one side to another IMO.

I was watching CNN later on that night and they had an Ohio focus group who had just finished watching the debate.

The CNN reporter asked them some questions about the debate and at the end he asked everyone who now has a pretty good idea about who you are voting for to raise their hand. Only 90% of the people raised their hands.

Personally, I am convinced that undecided voters are not undecided at all and just want attention. There is NO way you can be on the fence between these two. NO WAY. They are just TOO different.

Originally posted by Black Samurai
I was watching CNN later on that night and they had an Ohio focus group who had just finished watching the debate.

The CNN reporter asked them some questions about the debate and at the end he asked everyone who now has a pretty good idea about who you are voting for to raise their hand. Only 90% of the people raised their hands.

Personally, I am convinced that undecided voters are not undecided at all and just want attention. There is NO way you can be on the fence between these two. NO WAY. They are just TOO different.

Totally agree.

[SirMystiq]

Originally posted by Bozco
Why would you point out how the internet polls went when we obviously don\'t care?

I guess I\'m the only one that laughed when Bush talked about the rumor on the "internets"

You are not the only one. Bush also had a problem with uhm. At times I could picture him as a valley girl.

Originally posted by SirMystiq
I guess I\'m the only one that laughed when Bush talked about the rumor on the "internets"