Key Issues

Most Powerful Quote

Many may disagree, but I think this was the most powerful quote of the entire debate:

BUSH: "Again, I can't tell you how big a mistake I think that is, to have bilateral talks with North Korea. It's precisely what Kim Jong ll wants. It will cause the six-party talks to evaporate. It will mean that China no longer is involved in convincing, along with us, for Kim Jong ll to get rid of his weapons. It's a big mistake to do that."

Why did I pick those words?

A few reasons, but first and foremost, it was the way that he said them. Say I'm undecided. In fact, say I'm beyond undecided, say I'm clueless. Maybe I don't even know the difference between the terms bilateral and multilateral... Still I know confidence and experience when I see it. Those words were dripping with it.

President Bush wasn't campaigning when he said these words. There was an immense power in the sincerity as he spoke. I could tell that he was thinking something along the lines of, "My God, you can't be serious. Tell me you're not going to fuck things up that badly if you're elected. Please, at least take my advice on this one."

It was the voice of experience trying to get through to the voice of inexperience, someone goal-driven attempting to get through to someone driven by popularity, the leader coaching the apprentice.

What more do we need to know?

To read THE WHOLE THING, TRY HERE. If you want a few more highlights and biased commentary, I've included some in the extended entry. I left out the references to the "global test" and "grand diversion" efforts, as these have already been widely covered...

FIRST, SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT...NO, ACTUALLY SENATOR KERRY, YOU MUST NOT HAVE DONE YOUR HOMEWORK ON THAT: (All of these quotes from President Bush.)

"That's totally absurd. Of course, the U.N. was invited in."

"Actually, we've increased funding for dealing with nuclear proliferation about 35 percent since I've been the president."

"The minute we have bilateral talks, the six-party talks will unwind. That's exactly what Kim Jong ll wants. And by the way, the breach on the agreement was not through plutonium. The breach on the agreement is highly enriched uranium. That's what we caught him doing. That's where he was breaking the agreement."

"It was not my administration that put the sanctions on Iran. That happened long before I arrived in Washington, D.C."

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST: 2 PROSPECTS MENTIONED LAST NIGHT THAT SHOULD SCARE THE SHIT OUT OF ANY CLEAR-THINKING, FLAG-WAVING AMERICAN: (These also from President Bush.)

Here's the first:

My opponent talks about me not signing certain treaties. Let me tell you one thing I didn't sign, and I think it shows the difference of our opinion --- the difference of opinions.

And that is, I wouldn't join the International Criminal Court. It's a body based in The Hague where unaccountable judges and prosecutors can pull our troops or diplomats up for trial.

And I wouldn't join it. And I understand that in certain capitals around the world that that wasn't a popular move. But it's the right move not to join a foreign court that could -- where our people could be prosecuted.

My opponent is for joining the International Criminal Court. I just think trying to be popular, kind of, in the global sense, if it's not in our best interest makes no sense. I'm interested in working with our nations and do a lot of it. But I'm not going to make decisions that I think are wrong for America.

And the second:

I'll tell you another way to help protect America in the long run is to continue with missile defenses. And we've got a robust research and development program that has been ongoing during my administration. We'll be implementing a missile-defense system relatively quickly.

And that is another way to help deal with the threats that we face in the 21st century.

My opponent opposed the missile defenses.

This is scary stuff people.

Under the job requirements for this position, I think number 1 should read: "Must not lack confrontational skills, nor give a shit whether or not other leaders like you."

Sure, to be liked is grand. But if we're not liked, we may need the friggin missile defenses!

I think John Kerry should be running for Mr. Universe. He is clearly more interested in global popularity than in being Commander in Chief.