In a presidential contest that has increasingly centered on who is manlier, George W. Bush and John Kerry will finally appear head-to-head in the first presidential debate. And, after months of rhetorical wrangling and attacks by just-distanced-enough surrogates, it is time for the candidates themselves to “bring it on.”
It is Round One (at least for much of the country) in the bout for the presidency, with Bush hoping for the KO and Kerry looking to prove himself a scrappy (and electable) challenger.
“George Bush is a fighter, he's a good fighter,” legendary boxing promoter Don King told CNN at the Republican convention. “His fighting in politics is like the fighting in the ring. They don't give in and they don't give up and they don't quit.”
Alas, I only see Jim Lehrer getting in the way of the mano-a-mano duel.
The pre-match expectations game has been in full force -- with Republicans hailing Kerry as a masterful debater and Democrats ensuring that word gets out that Bush has won every debate he has ever entered. The truth, as usual, seems to lie somewhere in between.
Since the GOP convention, Kerry has been vigorously trying to fight off the newest political label: being a “girlie man.” He does photo-ops with guns. He interviews with Field and Stream magazine. And every so often some low-level Kerry campaign flak happens to mention that Mr. Bush, not Mr. Kerry, was once a cheerleader.
Simply put: girlie men don’t win elections when terrorism is the central campaign issue.
And so in a successful showing, Kerry must hammer away that there is nothing noble (or manly) about being both resolute and wrong. He must embrace his role as the challenger, as the candidate of change. Yes, Kerry voted to authorize force in Iraq, but no, he is not satisfied with how Bush has (mis)handled the conflict. Change, in the form of a new administration, is necessary to right this wrong. And when Bush begins to wobble, Kerry ought to jab him with the “real” costs of the war, in terms of homeland security, education, health care and the economy.
Bush, meanwhile, will rely on his strategy of keeping it simple, stupid. And it is best not to misunderestimate this plainspoken quasi-Texan. His stump speech on Iraq is riveting: “Do I forget the lessons of September the 11th and hope for the best when it comes to a madman, or take action to defend the country? Given the choice, I will defend this country every time.” And if Bush can frame the argument like that, he will blow Kerry and his pathetic “I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it” shtick out of the water.
And yet the match these two pols face is far tougher than that of a mere prize-fighter. Because they must not only tear their opponent down, but be likable while doing it. No ear-biting shenanigans, please. That does not play well with the swing voters in Ohio. So while the match may not be fought cleanly, the winning candidate must at least appear to have tried to take the high road.
So kick back, grab some popcorn and tune in to fight night. It’s sure to be the bout of the year.
Posted by Shane Goldmacher at September 27, 2004 06:03 PM