A Debate Prediction

One more debate - if you are around a computer, how about some live-blogging? Depending on where I end up at its beginning, I will see about it as well. Until then, a prediction: the true scoring of the final debate will really depend on how successfully Kerry rebuts three main Bush talking points. Roughly paraphrased: (1) On jobs: Two million new jobs in the last year and "turning the corner." (2) On healthcare: John Kerry's plan would be a bureaucratic nightmare of big government. (3) On taxes: John Kerry will raise your taxes. It should be so easy for the Kerry campaign to prepare, as this is all Bush has said and can really say based on his record. They have to be ready to respond in blunt language that no one will fail to understand. And Kerry must frame the upcoming 20 days in his closing. How about something like this:

"As you have heard tonight, the President is trying to hide from the terrible record he has built up over the last 4 years. Most people can see that on all major domestic issues, America is heading in the wrong direction. Simply put, we are worse off - the deficit keeps rising, hitting record levels that our children will have to pay back; people are losing healthcare coverage; more jobs have been lost on his watch than gained; and on and on. But Mr. Bush seems unwilling or unable to see this, to even recognize he may have made mistakes, to see the hardship born by the American people. And he wants to stay the course on policies that have been proven failures. I am an optimist, and I believe we can do better. The Republican campaign has tried to distort my past record and mislead you about my plan, but in the course of these debates you have seen something different. I hope you have seen in me a President that will fight for you, that will wake up everyday looking to protect you. I ask you to join with me in seeking to build a stronger American at home and one that is respected in the world again. Thank you, and God Bless."