MSM giving it the old college try

I continue to believe and assert that Bush won the debate. While it appears that I'm in the minority, it seems like the initial consensus of a Kerry win is beginning to lose a bit of its steam. Drudge is already running a few of Kerry's gaffes and the only real soundbite that seems to be emerging is Kerry's regretful "global test" remark regarding preemptive action to defend America.

I think it was pretty clear that the MSM was going to dub Kerry the winner regardless of what took place substantively. Short of Kerry passing gas throughout his remarks, he was going to win, period. Anything less than a win would have dealt the fatal blow to the Kerry campaign and therefore nothing less than a win is what he received. What's a bit disappointing is that the bloggers and some conservative minded pundits have acquiesced to the "Kerry won" effort. I think this is due in large part to the absolute free-fall that we've seen from Kerry the last two months. As such, I really think there's a sort of subconscious tendency to give the guy a break and give him the nod simply by virtue of him showing up with a suit and tie and exhibiting the ability to put a sentence together. But now that the lights and suits are gone, so too is any vestige of a coherent thought, policy, or message from Mr. Kerry.

Bush, on the other hand, though many perceived him as not at his best, was sincere, thoughtful and steadfast in one clear message -- freedom and democracy are safe on my watch. I'll take that message any day and twice on Sundays over the Kerry message of, "I want to be president, pick me." America will quickly realize that tonight it saw a man in Kerry, dressed up and pantomiming a part. And then it saw W, just being W -- a man who does what's right.

So there you have it. I stick to my initial assessment of a Bush trouncing. And I think that the next few days, not the frenzied hours of big media-driven Kerry puffery, will begin to bear this out.