The American Spectator

unsigned /p>

Thankfully George W. Bush wasn’t caught looking at his watch, as happened to his father — but I sure was! As a Bush supporter, it pains me to say that Kerry did, indeed, come off better last night. But thank you for pointing out the verbal gaffe Kerry made — I didn’t catch it — but did catch the fact that Bush failed to mention Australia’s John Howard as he singled out allies.

p>But consider — Kerry thought it more important to have a manicure before the debate, while our President was off encouraging Florida hurricane victims. br> — Cathy Thorpe br> Columbus, Georgia /p> p> Not only was it past his bedtime, but Bush had been out in the Florida sun visiting the disaster areas — that is draining. br> — Alan Freemond Sr. /p>

Jim Lehrer was President Bush’s other debate opponent, through what Lehrer failed to ask John Kerry.

There was no question to Kerry about his 20-year Senate record of voting against defense appropriations and systems. Lehrer also did not ask the senator about his voting for cuts in intelligence funds, notably the $6 billion from the CIA. Nor did the PBS newsman ask Kerry about how it was that he opposed Ronald Reagan during the Cold War.

Nor did Lehrer take the opportunity to query Kerry about his law-enforcement approach to dealing with terrorists and why he thought that was superior — especially in the face of Kerry’s new-found hawkishness he displayed.