10/14/2004 08:03:52 AM|||Sarah|||

I felt really good after last night's debate. I had a smile on my face and increased pride in our president. After a night to sleep on it, my feelings haven't changed. (I know, Nathan ... you hate "feelings". I should think, not feel.)

1. Family and Faith -- Kerry can't touch Bush here. You can tell that Bush believes in and relies on a higher power. He really loves his wife and has a lot of respect for her intelligence ("She speaks English a lot better than I do!") and her kindness. I loved his answers to the final questions. His honesty will go a long way with voters. On the other hand, Kerry could barely choke out the word "God". Did anyone buy his assertion that faith guides his life? Please.

2. Gay Rights -- Again, nicely done. President Bush couldn't have handled this one much better. It was respectful while allowing him to maintain his convictions concerning the sanctity of marriage. Kerry could only discuss a wife who supports her husband as he ventures into homosexuality (what?!) and bring up Mary Cheney (who didn't cringe or want to throw something at the TV at that point?). I like Lynne Cheney's reaction, "He's not a nice man."

3. The "Liberal" Tag -- Kerry is hanging out "on the far left bank" and "Ted Kennedy is the conservative senator from Massachusetts". Yep. In recent polls, even Kerry supporters believe that their taxes will be raised if Kerry beomes president.

4. Assault Weapons -- OK, Mr. President. You could have hit him here. Kerry told a story about visiting a cop in Iowa who pointed to a house in which assault weapons were present. This took place when the ban was in effect! Wow ... that was really working! As with all guns, restrictions will only hurt those who abide the law.

5. Media Reaction -- If they say it's a draw, that means that Bush won. I started listening to NPR at the top of the hour this morning (7:00am, to be exact). They didn't discuss the debate until 7:25am (after stories on Musharraf, local weekend happenings, and teachers getting a tax break for school supplies). I know why they buried it. Juan Williams watched the debate with a small group in Minnesota, and the majority are leaning towards Bush after the debate (OK, by a margin of 3-2, but still) including two of the three undecideds in the room.

|||109776011260565490|||Some Thoughts