Spent some time this AM with some likely Democrat voters, other years and months, I might even call them friends. Just no time for too many Democrat friends right now, what with their candidate having all the conviction of a lazy susan in a wobbly kitchen cabinet.
I was somewhat surprised to hear it expressed that they actually wanted to see President Bush do better tonight. So, I gave it more thought. It really shouldn't be so surprising. CW sez Kerry voters aren't exactly wetting their pajamas over Kerry. It's more a rabid anti-Bush driving some than anything else. But that ethic isn't as widespread as some might think. I believe a great many more voters are sitting on the proverbial fence than the pundits would have us believe.
Bush is a decent guy - many voters always seem to respond well to him when they get the chance to see him - unfiltered, as it were. People don't like wars, the economy hasn't been great the past couple years, the threat of terrorism always hangs somewhere in our air, subways, train stations and airports these days. But, at the heart of it, I'm not convinced a huge number of people really hold Bush in contempt for his Presidency: a presidency that has probably been marred by more tragedy and struggle not of his own making than any other in recent times.
I think most Americans, at least enough to elect him, believe he's a nice guy and they'd like to see him stay on. But Americans don't give away the Presidency lightly. It's a position you either have to earn, or not lose for lack of a good fight. It isn't important that Bush "lost" the first debate, he simply didn't put up a very good fight. That's the last thing Americans want to see in their Commander in Chief.
Bush doesn't have to "win" tonight's debate in order to be re-elected. There are only two things he needs to accomplish. 1) Put up a good fight and 2. be likeable while doing it. Contrast that with Kerry. People have yet to warm up to the guy or he would have put this one away long ago. If he wins, it won't be because people think him the best man for the job. And certainly not because they like him. It'll be because President Bush failed to give them what they wanted to see and they feel compelled to select an alternative.
I don't care what the pundits might be saying. This election is still Bush's to win, or lose. And tonight is probably the best, if not a critical first step he can take toward winning. Be strong - be likable, be re-elected - it really is just that simple.
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