It’s October 14, 2004. I missed my train by seconds (it would kill them to open the doors for one second) and have been standing on a platform in the pouring rain.
Last night, the third Presidential debate took place between George W. Bush and John Kerry. This is what I’ve been thinking about on the platform. I didn’t get to watch the event live since it took place at 2am here in England. I’ve taped it and will watch it when I get home from work.
I did see the highlights, however. More than any issues, I’m struck by John Kerry’s one liner, “George Bush lecturing me about fiscal responsibility is like Tony Soprano lecturing me about law and order.” Wow, is this guy in touch or what? He really has his finger on the pulse of what’s cool, doesn’t he? How pathetic.
Prior to that little remark, I hadn’t really discounted Kerry as a contender. But now . . .
Why does his bother me so much? Because it is so damned staged. It is obvious he had that lurking around in his head and was waiting for the right time to use it. This is his idea of humour. Sickening.
Now I have to ask myself what I am more opposed to-an unjust war in Iraq or an idiot in the White House. As an American, I can still head to the embassy and vote.
This isn’t the first time in the debates that candidates have lowered their rhetoric to one-liners that insults the intelligence of the American people. I remember in ’88, Dukakis saying “George Bush is becoming the Joe Isuzu of American Politics”. In ’84, Mondale used “Where’s the beef in your economic policy”. Bob Dole, although I can’t remember exactly what he’s said (who can?), would make you cringe every time he tried to grasp onto any kind of pop culture. It’s an obvious political ploy. It makes me sick.
Kerry doesn’t deserve to be president. My opinion is made up.
Rant over.
