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Bush - Kerry debate - likeability analysis
Pre-debate observation:
Conventional wisdom says that George Bush is the more likeable of the two, with a more down to earth manner and
demeanor. He comes across as a son of the soil while John Kerry comes across as a
patrician and insider of sorts. Post-debate, we will analyze the performances of both the candidates to see who scores more on
the likeability scale.
What we saw: There is little to choose between
the two. Likeability is very subjective, and may depend on too
many factors which cannot be estimated. Seeing them
side-by-side, Kerry the taller one looked even taller and
smarter. His expressions were patrician alright, but
sufficiently toned down to not offend the rednecks. Bush - you
liked him if you were a Bushie. The occasional stumble, slight
irritation, the bare smirk was all there - but then there are
people who like all that in him. Our analysis - Bush stays
where he was, Kerry improves (as many didn't know him well
before this. he had nothing to lose)
Bush - Kerry debate - straight answers analysis
Pre-debate observation: Here, one is tempted to say that Bush offers the more straightforward answers. However, this has to be tested out in reality
during the debates. Kerry's answers tend to long-winded, but often if one sits down to understand them, they make more sense. But then American public never sits down to
analyze, they form instant impressions. However, straight answers are important and say a lot about the candidate. We will bring you our straight answers analysis immediately after the debate.
What we saw: Both the candidates did not do any
active fudging. Kerry had to more or less come around and
admit that his flip-flopping was just a result of a mistake
belief in how President Bush would conduct the Iraq war. Bush
went back to his values, beliefs. For a man who perhaps is
more guided by his own beliefs - right or wrong - I guess that
is straight enough. Our analysis? No winners.
Bush - Kerry debate - confidence analysis
Pre-debate observation:
Make no mistake, these are two very confident men. However, the more academic confidence of Job Kerry may not be enough to offset Bush's swaggering style, which some like instinctively. However, real confidence in what they say is we will be watching out for. We will bring you our confidence analysis after the Bush-Kerry debate.
What we saw: Kerry wins this by a slight margin. He
was definitely more knowledgeable, and has an eye for details.
If he was a flip-flopper and was on the defensive, that did
not show up in the debate. He came across as confident;
confident like one who knows what he is talking about; while
Bush's confidence looked more like its based on instinct.
Direct criticism seemed to unsettle Bush. Our analysis is -
Kerry comes out on top.
Bush - Kerry debate - arrogance analysis
Pre-debate observation:
Bush has his smirk, Kerry has his patrician air. What matters is who will be
better capable of suppressing what may come across to the TV audience as arrogance. Watch out for our arrogance analysis.
What we saw: No arrogance from both parties. Both
were confident and had their mannerisms, but even Bush's
occasional smirk did not come across as arrogance - perhaps it
looked a little defensive.
Bush - Kerry debate - Aggression analysis
Pre-debate observation:
Bush is the apparent winner here, maybe it comes with being in office for the last 4 years. Kerry - we do not know much about how aggressive he can get. Aggression, can of course put off people if overdone. Let's see who gets it right in the right mix. Our Bush Kerry post-debate aggression analysis.
What we saw: Kerry's attack was sharper. Sorry, try
as I might to say something about how effective Bush was, I
fail. Bush could not make anything stick to Kerry - even the
mixed messages charges which he kept repeating was made
inconsequential by Kerry.
Bush - Kerry debate - Theatrics Analysis
Pre-debate observation:
Oh, this matters. Definitely. Let's not be naive and assume that all that we see will be natural. Like during a talk-show, some of the expressions, phraseology, posture will be
practiced pre-debate. Let's see who does it better. Our post-debate theatrical success analysis!
What we saw: Both were dramatic enough. Kerry
brought in Bush's father's words to attack Bush, said Bush
'outsourced' the job of hunting Osama, said parents of
soldiers were buying body armour for their kids in Iraq as the
administration hadn't provided any.. Deadly stuff. Bush hit
back with 'mixed messages', 'grand diversion', 'wrong war at
the wrong time'... As overall, Kerry was the more aggressive,
his theatrics were better. No extreme theatrics from either.
Our analysis? No winners.
DANCEWITHSHADOWS.COM EDITOR
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