Letter to the Editor

Letters to the editor

Wednesday, October 6, 2004

Debate a revealing experience

Dear editor:

I thought the debate was incredibly interesting on several levels. (Jim Lehrer did a great job!)

I admit to not being a fan of Bush. And the things I don't like about him were reinforced during the debate. Some of my criticisms might not be fair; the way he looks, his smirk, his accent, and his inability to speak off the cuff. To me, those things make him seem a little stupid. Obviously he's not a stupid man. But it appeared to me that he really struggled for words. He looked down many times, searching for a lost word. God knows, I wouldn't have done better … but I'm not the "leader of the free world." He clung to the same phrases and repeated them over and over. But there was no substance behind them. I brought to mind the leader who thinks the little people can't really understand the details, so toss them some rhetoric they can hang their hats on and go about your business. There was such a cockiness there. I find it irritating to the point of being insulting.

"We've climbed a mighty mountain and we are looking down on the valley of peace."

What the h-- does that mean? We are looking at a valley where heads are being cut off, children are being blown up, car bombs are exploding at random corners … Bush sees a valley of peace?

I've been really frustrated with my choices. Kerry has not impressed me much, so I'm in the camp that is voting against Bush, not for anyone.

Monday, I found a real reason to be happy to vote for Kerry. I thought he did a terrific job of portraying a calm, rational, intelligent approach to leading our country.

I heard something of a real plan for dealing with the Iraq mess.

If nothing else, I think a new President might be a reason for a new coalition. I truly believe that the few world leaders who are a part of Bush's coalition do feel coerced and bribed. I think those are great adjectives for the true scenario. I'm horribly afraid that on the current path, the United States is headed toward self-destruction.

What continues to frustrate me is that Kerry doesn't address Bush's continual chorus of "my opponent changes his position as politics change (notice he never used the term "flip-flop") I think there is such a valid explanation behind what the Republican campaign committee keeps using as sound bites (frequently out of context) and my head screams for Kerry to call Bush on that and explain. He came close with "circumstance change" and the remark about being committed, but committed to the wrong thing; but he just never attacked it. Maybe he is too focused on "turn the other cheek" and "not dignifying that with a response."

I'm looking forward to the next two debates. I respect my fellow Americans' opinions and know that many of my closest friends, including my mother, are voting for Bush, and I would really love to sit down with them and understand.

I think it comes down to what Bush continues to refer to as "core values and beliefs." When Kerry talks I find myself nodding and agreeing. When Bush talks I find myself cringing.

By the way, I thought Bush looked more orange than Kerry did. I thought we weren't supposed to see them in split screen, but we did. Interesting to watch each man's reaction to the other's words.

Sherry Galster

Nevada