In the first debate, it was often remarked that Bush had hurt himself in much the same way that Gore had four years ago: his body language of smirks and sighs obscured what may have been a small advantage on traditional debating points.
Tonight, Andrew Sullivan posted a comment from a reader highlighting another Bush/Gore parallel. Like Gore in 2000, Bush seemed to careen wildly from one strategy/posture to another over his three debates. Bush 2000, on the other hand, had a pretty consistent voice, as did Kerry this year.
I would suggest a third way in which Bush turned into Gore: The big distinction in the Bush/Gore debates in 2000, to my ears, was that Gore was always talking about government programs. "Under my home energy-efficiency tax credit blah blah..." Bush's genius was that he always talked exclusively about principles and outcomes: "Everyone's taxes should be lower." It was a glaring distinction, and one that many liberals I've talked to about this over the last four years didn't even really notice, because they are so accustomed to thinking in terms of government programs. But people don't care whether they get LIHEAP or Medicare Part B -- they want a warm house and good health care.
Last night, though, it was Bush who was talking about programs -- albeit programs he doesn't understand and has never shown any interest in -- and Kerry who spoke very clearly in terms of principles. And then he drove it home with the great quote: "You don't measure it by a percentage increase. Mr. President, you measure it by whether you're getting the job done."
If Democrats can learn to speak this language, it will be hugely important to the future.
Comments