Friday, October 01, 2004
The Best and the Brightest lower their sights
In a troubling development, the US Army confirmed today that it was lowering entry standards for new recruits in order to meet its manpower needs. Although deflected during this campaign season by TeamBush (and Kerry as well, to an extent), the troubling reality is that America's armed forces are overstretched.
Kerry touched on the problem briefly in yesterday's debate, prompting President Bush to respond that we were not overextended and had the capability to fight multiple battles simultaneously. Maybe he should have read this assessment.
In a troubling development, the US Army confirmed today that it was lowering entry standards for new recruits in order to meet its manpower needs. Although deflected during this campaign season by TeamBush (and Kerry as well, to an extent), the troubling reality is that America's armed forces are overstretched.
Kerry touched on the problem briefly in yesterday's debate, prompting President Bush to respond that we were not overextended and had the capability to fight multiple battles simultaneously. Maybe he should have read this assessment.
Round One to the Francophone
John Kerry may well have saved his floundering campaign last night with an above average performance in yesterday's debate. The topic of foreign policy was insisted upon by Karl Rove for the candidate's first meeting, assumedly with the idea that a strong Bush showing in an area considered his strength could snap the will and drive of Kerry's campaign.
Post-debate polls unanimously give the edge to Kerry, who finally had an opportunity to address some of the long-simmering, and well-placed attacks about him and his erratic views on Iraq.
Bush was off of his game. His usually-relaxed, folksy debating demeanor was undermined by a visible tension and discomfort that Bush displayed throughout the 90-minute event. While Kerry seemed engaged in the topics, taking notes, nodding at times in agreement, and making good eye contact, Bush seemed visibly perturbed, scowled frequently, and often looked out distractedly into the darkness when Kerry was speaking.
John Kerry may well have saved his floundering campaign last night with an above average performance in yesterday's debate. The topic of foreign policy was insisted upon by Karl Rove for the candidate's first meeting, assumedly with the idea that a strong Bush showing in an area considered his strength could snap the will and drive of Kerry's campaign.
Post-debate polls unanimously give the edge to Kerry, who finally had an opportunity to address some of the long-simmering, and well-placed attacks about him and his erratic views on Iraq.
Bush was off of his game. His usually-relaxed, folksy debating demeanor was undermined by a visible tension and discomfort that Bush displayed throughout the 90-minute event. While Kerry seemed engaged in the topics, taking notes, nodding at times in agreement, and making good eye contact, Bush seemed visibly perturbed, scowled frequently, and often looked out distractedly into the darkness when Kerry was speaking.
