2004 Third Presidential Debate: Bush vs. Kerry (10/13/04)

this was indeed a great debate, which focused on health care and taxes. i highly recommend downloading or streaming this debate.

I was disappointed by the lack of new material covered and by how often Kerry missed calling a George a George. Why didn't Kerry draw the connection to Bush's failure to oppose the expiration of the assault weapons ban and the NRA's later published promise to support Bush to the tune of millions of dollars in ads? Why didn't the moderator tell Bush that the no child left behind act wasn't the answer to any question he didn't want to answer? Why didn't Kerry call him on it? The whole thing was too staged, too bland, too nothing new today. Kerry was good with the facts, but slow to capitalize on Bush's errors, failures or incorrect statements. Bush was, well, Bush. We got another hour and a half of reality according to Bush. I was especially mystified when he said his no child left behind act would obviate the poor minimum wage we pay in this country. As if when we are better educated we wouldn't mind only making $5 an hour thus saving him from needing an actual plan to raise workers out of poverty. Yea, you're poor, but look how great your education system is! (Uh, when I actually fund the thing enough to make a difference,that is!) I hope no American voter was really hanging on the hope and idea that the debates would help them decide who to vote for. If they were, then our democracy is in a whole world of hurt and these debates, this election are only a symptom of a much greater problem afoot in America today. Listen and weep. I'm burning a copy for historical purposes. How 'bout you?