The Debate: Bush Really Won and Here's Why

JW's Desknote: I am listening to all the pundits saying Kerry won, Bush looked defensive, Kerry was on point, etc. However, when it comes to substance, Bush actually won on three points:

1) North Korea. Bush is absolutely right that there needs to be multi-lateral talks regarding the North Korean situation. Remember, North Korea has done this before in Bi-lateral discussions...whining, complaining, threatening, all to get some kind of food/ aid deal from the U.S. Well, it is not working now because President Bush has called the bluff and brought all interested parties: Russia, South Korea, Japan, and China. Bush was on point to emphasize the need for, in particular, Chinese involvment because of their influence over North Korea. Bush pointed out that this was decided during discussions between Bush and China's Premier Jiang Jhemin when the Premier visited the Crawford Ranch. Ironic that Kerry bashes the President for being uni-lateral, yet here is a clear Bush multi-lateral approach that is Right, Right, Right. Kerry's uni-lateral approach has already proven in the past to be wrong, wrong, wrong.

2) Globalization. Good to see the Veep hitting back on this one. This point should get more air time than any other issue because of its 'mediability.' Bush has already pinged Kerry on this point and now the American people see first hand just what the President is talking about when he says that the U.S. President will decide on America's security, not the U.N. Kerry loses big here.

3) Arab Summit. Kerry was asked by the moderator Jim Leher, who I give a C+ but that is another story, about what he would do differently in Iraq. His response about the Arab summit was lame since the U.S. has already done that and is continuing to conduct negotiations with Arab leaders. The problem is that this has not gotten a great deal of media play as many Arab leaders are hesitant to advertise that they are working with the U.S. on the terrorism issue. But I will tell you that the U.S. is getting great support from key Arab leaders and countries to include Egypt, Jordan, and Pakistan. Kerry strikes out on this point.

Note: I was also disappointed to see the moderator NOT ask questions about China, Colombia, Venezuela (one of the largest suppliers of oil to the U.S.), and Nigeria (also a large supplier of U.S. oil). He did touch, slightly, on the Sudan, but Africa should have gotten some more air time. I understand the Iraq issue, but that seem to play to Kerry's hand too much. Also, some of the Kerry questions early on were softball questions. The character question was a clear trap to Bush and I think he responded well. Good idea to not go down that Swift Boat path...More to follow//JW sends.