The American Spectator

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(Page 2 of 11)

p> Jed Babbin replies: br> Prof. Moise's note caused me to dig out my copy of the Recon document. He is correct, and it is my rather embarrassing error. The passage quoted is from Schechter, not Giap. My thanks for catching it, and my apology for the error. /p> p> SWAGGERLESS br> Re: David Hogberg's Bush's to Lose : /p>

Interesting analysis of Hogberg's -- particularly "Can he lose? Sure …" -- and then he cites the "if he gets complacent" angle. Hasn't four years of observing Bush shown him "complacent" is not in Bush's, Rove's or Karen Hughes's vocabulary?

What I'd like to know is, who insisted on the individual rules of the Debate? "Participants may not leave their podiums". Well, that would be OK, if we are deciding an election by the tallest guy getting your vote. But "NO CAMERAS SHOWING REACTION OF OPPONENT TO REMARKS MADE"? Damn. That means I can't add to my library of Famous Past Debates -- none of Al Gore's orange make-up enhanced by glistening flop sweat, no heavy sighs of exasperation, nor menacing stalking of the President. No dismissive nod by Bush followed by the famous smirk

p>Facial expression and body language are at least as important as words. And we don't know which of the debate negotiators demanded that rule! It would be instructive to find out. Except, of course, if it were James Baker. And I can't imagine it would be. I was looking forward to George Bush's unspoken "I hate to skin you, but I need your hide..." the amiable greeting of Texas poker players as they sit down to a high stakes game. br> -- Diane Smith

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