...Insta-Debate Cont'd 2...

Bush is um-uhing. Saddam loyalists...um, uh...the uh...Baathists...
B: "And it's hard work. I understand how hard it is...I see on the TV screens how hard it is."
No mixed signals. Plan in place. Elections in January. (Right, give it a go.)
"It's hard to go from a place where ppl get their hands cut off or executed" to a free place.

Kerry: "Even knowing there was no imminent threat, knowing no connection to al Qaeda, he would still have done the same thing."
Nothing but respect for the Brits. But points out the tiny foreign troop level. "You can't tell me..." Is a powerful iteration.
"Not the kind of coalition we were described when we talked about voting for this."
"They just decided the time for diplomacy is over and rushed to war..."
"He misled the American people when he said we would go to war as a last resort. We did not go as a last resort."
"Fresh start, new credibility."
"We need to be smarter about how we wage a war on terror." (Again with the "smart" dig.)

Bush is going off on a bizarre tangent. "Osama bin Laden doesn't decide how we get to defend ourselves." (Kerry looks amused.)
"Saying you can succeed if you change your positions." (Kerry laughs, realized the "flip-flop" discussion has begun.

Kerry: "I've had one consistent position."

Bush: (Blink.) "The only thing that's been consistent about my opponent's position is that he changes positions." (Smirky.)

Jim: War worth cost in lives?
Bush: "Every life is precious...hardest part of the job is to know that I committed the troops in harms way."
"Missy Johnston. Her husband PJ got killed." Um, what? Using this poor woman's grief are we? These moments are always so cheap.
"Missy understood..."
"But I think it's worth it, Jim."
"It will help change the world."

Kerry: I understand "because I know what it means to lose people in combat."
"It is vital for us not to confuse the war with the warriors."
Yes. Remind them.
"We have a choice here..."
Yes, go to Johnkerry.com. This must be a first -- plugging a web site in a presidential debate.

Bush is responding with a nonsensical dig at Kerry changing positions and says this is a "grand diversion." Bush can't follow logic when he speaks.

Kerry: Pottery Barn rule: If you break it you fix it.
"I have a plan to do it. He doesn't." (Powerful--looks at Bush and does the thumb over hand gesture.)
"Think things through properly." (Another dig at no-thinky presy.)

Kerry isn't doodling off into corners and looking for dust bunnies. He's stickin to it.

Bush: uses 100,000 troop strength number. Statistics are malleable. Kerry smiles.
Ah, the "brave, brave man" Allawi.
Again, Kerry's criticism of Allawi. He sounds like a kindergarten teacher scolding Kerry. Maybe he should read him "My Pet Goat."

Kerry: Okay, everybody wants the Iraqis to be free, thanks for pointing that out, George.

Bush: hubba, hooba...
"They're fighting us cause they are fighting freedom." (This is so reductive, childish. Maybe someone should read "My Pet Goat" to Bush.