If my theory holds up- Kerry has won

[goodwalt]

I have a theory about presidential elections and televised debates that I think is pretty well supported. We Americans are by and large intellectually lazy. The majority of voters are woefully ill informed about the issues, how government works- who is responsible for what, international affairs, even basic geography. That is sad and that is cynical, but I believe it to be true. I also believe that swing voters - those of us not not absolutely tied to one party and proudly boast they vote for "the man" and not "the party", make a cosmetic choice based on the debates.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that every president since Kennedy has looked better, sounded better, and has appeared more comfortable in their own skin during the televised debates. That's how Kennedy beat Nixon. How Carter beat Ford, Reagan beat Carter and Mondale, and so and so on. I was rooting hard for Gore last time- and thought he did much better on actual issues than * (My cat could have done better on the issues than chimpy)- but I have to concede that Bush looked more at ease with his "folksy" approach than Gore did making issue based appeals.

And then came last night's debate. Let the spinmeisters spin- ANYONE judging that debate on who appeared more confident and comfortable in their surroundings had to see Kerry as the winner. Nor is there any reason not to expect Kerry to do as well or better in the next two. The next one will be more scripted, so I don't expect chimpy to do quite as bad- but I don't expect him to do as well as Kerry because there is no teleprompter. The third debate over domestic issues- from stem cells to the highest deficits in history to the first net job loss in modern times to record gas prices to the environment to haliburton to enron to Medicare- if you thought chimpy looked bad last night, just wait till the last debate when he has to try and defend the indefensible.

Kerry IS going to win the swim suit portion of this year's televised debates. And if history is any guide- that means he will win the election.

[caledesi]

1. gw - very good observation. Totally agree.

Bit of trivia: Any person running for president from Mass. w/ a first name of John WON the presidency.

John Adams
John Quincy Adams
John F. Kennedy
JOHN F. KERRY (I hope)

[Virginian]

3. Has Mass only had 3 presidents so far?

The only ones I can remember were named John.

[VotefurKerry]

2. Why do you have a Howard Dean avatar?

Sorry to be off topic.

[Tamyrlin79]

4. Because he likes/admires/respects/listens to Howard Dean, maybe?

[goodwalt]

5. Because my heart belongs to Dean

or at least it used to. I was a big time Dean supporter, and to tell the truth, my support for Kerry until last night was more in the vein of ANYBODY but Bush. And while I still have great respect for the governor, Kerry flat out impressed me last night. I honestly don't think any of the other candidates- Dean included- could have done as well. Pissed me off at the time, but I am now willing to admit that we made the right choice in nominating Kerry.

[VotefurKerry]

7. Thanks for the insight

I only mention this because Dean was a favorite of mine too.

[Demaholic]

6. "If my theory holds up- Kerry has won"

I agree with your theory!