Kerry-Bush Debate Speak Out Score Card

Score Card from the Speak Out at the Kerry-Bush Debate September 30, 2004

Numbers appear in this format: Kerry; Key Word;Bush
4Freedom/Liberty32
11Terrorist14
17War (on terror)18
4Weapons of Mass Destruction8
1G-d/prayers3
2Education/schools
1 (stem cell research)Healthcare
Evil 2
(global warming)Environment
32Opponent18
5Safety4
6Security17
24Military21
4Sept. 114
2Al-Queda6
2Sudan2
1Israel
7Peace4
Hate4
Duty3
2 (in reference to quotes by Bush)Enemy7
1Jobs/employment
Patriot Act2

Points of interest: Bush interrupted Kerry 6 times.Bush stuttered 11 times. Bush talked over his time (red light) 6 times. Bush repeated several phrases, among them were words about how many afghan citizens are now registered to vote, the increase in US-Mexico border security, Poland.Fun phrases:Bush, in reference to Kerry’s comment about his daughters being outspoken, “I’m trying to put the leash on them.” “I know Osama attacked us.”When attempting to say “mixed messages” Bush instead said “maxed missages.”Bush stated that he wanted to “lead the world,” that he had to “deal with world leaders,” and that being the president is “hard work.” He used the “hard work” line three times throughout the debate, and continually referred to himself as the commander-in-chief. Bush began a sentence with “pre-September 10th” rather than the 11th. “The only thing consistent about my opponent’s decision is inconsistency,” Bush said. When asked about the single most important threat to the world right now, Kerry answered with “nuclear proliferation” and Bush answered with “WMDs in the hands of terrorists.” Even the moderator had trouble sorting out the differences between the two positions. Kerry talked a lot about having patience, respecting alliances, and he said that if Bush wins the election we will have “4 words: more of the same.” Kerry talked about freedom from fear and respect.