Botox---The Ultimate Debate Prop

Critics of the debate have had alot to say about Bush's body language. The Kerry-Edwards website has had an ad featuring a handful of unflattering snapshots of Bush held up as evidence of his bad attitude.

Some critics (ie: Terry McAulliffe) actually saw fit to interpret Bush's "body language" as meaning he was irritated that he had to be at the debate ahving to answer questions. Some (only on the left that I've noted) have treated Bush's behavior as equal to Gore's huffing and puffing in 2000. As if there was no middleground between quiet expressions and exaggerrated petulance.

Of some of the pictures, I can honestly say I don't see anything negative. They put up a picture of Bush rubbing his eye. For crying out loud, I hope people aren't examining me so closely I don't feel free to rub my eyes.

That being said, I think some of the other pictures did show negative emotion. But rather than say that Bush didn't want to be at the debate, I can point easily to more likely causes.

Kerry accused Bush of serially misleading Americans during his presidency and even during the debate.

He accused Bush of war profiteering in league with Halliburtin.

He accused Bush of not knowing that it was Bin Laden and not Hussein who attacked us on 9/11/01.

Not to mention that throughout his campaign, Kerry himself has called Bush AWOL in the Vietnam War and a liar about WMD's (he cowardously claimed in the debate to only have used the word "misled", not "lied"--but he actually has said Bush "lied")

Of course Bush was irritated! Kerry was flinging out baseless and vitriolic assassinations of character. When Lehrer asked Bush about Kerry's character, Bush took the high road.

Many believe Gore's unprecedented huffing cost him the election and they want a comparable indicator in this election.

But was Bush inappropriate? I submit that the Bush we saw on 9/30/04 is the same Bush we've always seen. At best, the criticisms are arguable (unlike the Gore situation). We may never see such outrageous behavior in a debate again, just as no one will ever repeat Nixon's mistakes in his debate with Kennedy. But perhaps Kerry, in avoiding Gore's mistake, has repeated Dukakis' mistake.


No one can deny that Kerry came off cool and collected. But did anyone consider whether Kerry showed enough expression? Also, I've heard no one comment that sometimes he nodded in agreement while Bush was criticizing him (that is, in an up & down motion,a gesture of agreement, not my interpretation) .

And while Kerry's representatives deny that he's had Botox, I think it's worth noting that his once furrowed brow is now smoother that a baby's bottom. If he did have Botox, then what does that mean about his expressions in the debate? He would've removed our ability to apply the same scrutiny to him as Bush.

As you surely have ascertained, I saw no impropriety in Bush's debate demeanor. His expressions were natural and reasonable, and passionate when called for.
But if you want a president who can maintain a cool facade, then let me say . . . Kerry is your mannequin.